Cycle the stunning Loire à Vélo
Whether
you’re a seasoned cyclist or an eager beginner, the Loire Valley in France is one
of the best places in the country to enjoy a cycling holiday. I’ve lived in
France for some time now, and it’s still my favourite place to go cycling, with
incredible views and historic sites. You can find easy family-friendly paths,
as well as longer and more challenging routes.
The Loire Valley
Surrounding
the Loire River, between Chalonnes-sur-Loire and Sully-sur-Loire, the Loire
Valley is an incredibly picturesque part of France. Sully-sur-Loire is less
than five hours by car from Calais, so it’s an easy drive, and once there,
you’re surrounded by natural beauty. Spend as much or as little time as you
like exploring the valley’s beautiful chateaux, cathedrals, sleepy villages,
and the pathways which guide you along the Loire River.
Loire à Vélo
The
most popular cycling route through this part of France is undoubtedly the Loire
à Vélo. Covering about 800 kilometres, this tourism trail goes from the coast
at Saint-Nazaire, inland towards the city of Nevers, alongside the Loire River.
The route is well-marked, safe and is generally very flat, with each stage
covering about 40 kilometres. This, coupled with the fantastic scenery, makes
the Loire Valley the perfect place to cycle with family or friends. Below I’ve
feature a few of my favourite places to stop along the route, but it’s so easy
to start and stop anywhere you please.
Explore the stunning Loire Valley, with such sights as the Château de Chenonceau
Candes-Saint-Martin to Tours
One
of France’s ‘most beautiful villages’, Candes-Saint-Martin is a stunning
location. Don’t miss the 12th century fortified church and chapel of
Saint-Martin in the village centre. With houses built in white stone and old
cobbled streets adorned with flowers, I love stopping here for a bite to eat
before starting off on my bike.
As
you cycle towards Rigny-Ussé, you can enjoy unspoilt natural surroundings,
before stopping to see the incredible Château d’Ussé, once a
stronghold in the Middle Ages, today it features stunning gardens and
exhibitions featuring clothes from the Bell Époque. I love the views of the
Loire River between Rigny-Ussé and Villandry, and it’s a really easy ride so
you can take it all in.
Built
during the Renaissance, remember to check out the Château de Villandry. The gardens
here are incredible, while inside the château is really unique. I love
strolling slowly around the gardens, but if you’re with a family there are some
fantastic kid’s workshops and guided tours, too.
The beautiful gardens at Villandry.
The
cycling route in and out of Villandry is incredible fun, with fantastic
riverside views. When you eventually reach Tours, be sure to check out the Place
Plumereau, which is surrounded by half-timbered houses and is bustling with
locals who enjoy a cold drink and lunch in the sunny square.
Orléans to Sully-sur-Loire
Leaving
from the great city of Orléans, this is a great family route following the greenways
along the Loire River. I love cycling through L’Ile Charlemagne, stopping to
enjoy a spot of lunch on the beach. Perfect for families with young children, Ile
Charlemagne boasts a huge play area, sports pitches and opportunities for water
sports such as canoeing and windsurfing.
Next,
you’ll ride through quiet roads, passing the commune of Jargeau over a raised
embankment, which provides beautiful views of the River Loire. The next town, Châteauneuf-sur-Loire,
has a beautiful park with a small river, dozens of species of birds and animals
and the remains of a castle. I love stopping here for a picnic and a little
rest, before continuing along my route.
The church at Germigny-des-Prés.
At
Germigny-des-Prés you’ll find a beautiful church, which dates back to the year
806, while another great spot for history lovers can be found further down the
river, at Fleury Abbey, in Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire. The Abbey was founded in 640
and boasts a stunning church and tower, and is steeped in history, with parts
of it having survived the French Revolution. Eventually you’ll reach
Sully-sur-Loire, with its impressive 15th century castle and
gardens.
With Eurotunnel Le Shuttle you can get from Folkestone to Calais in just 35 minutes – and take your bike!