Follow the Loire to the Atlantic coast

Individual arrival in Orléans. Located at the northernmost point of the course of the river Loire, this city is an ideal starting point for your cycling trip.

Shortly after Beaugency, you decide whether to cycle along the shorter route on the north bank, the official Loire cycle path, or choose the longer route on the south bank with a detour to Chambord Castle. Here, the "Domaine de Chambord" extends as far as the eye can see. You can see the walls of this largest and most splendid residence of the Loire, the eternal legacy of a faithless king, shining through the trees already from a distance.

A wonderful day of cycling with fascinating views of the golden shimmering sand banks of the Loire and the characteristic rock dwellings of this region awaits you. The most regal of all Loire castles awaits you halfway along the route: Amboise castle. It housed five kings and a Roman emperor. A 16th century genius attracts attention as well – Leonardo da Vinci, who spent his last years here in Amboise. His manor house can be visited here as well. Onward journey along the banks of the Loire to Tours.

The tributary of the Loire, the Cher, leads you straight to Villandry castle with its terraced gardens. Of course, you cannot miss a visit to these famous gardens. Shady promenades, flowery arbours, fountains and the artistically laid out vegetable garden will astonish every visitor. A few kilometers further on, you change back to the banks of the Loire, and the next castle already awaits you: Langeais. The view from the defense tower (this castle was only used for military purposes) has the river and the entire surrounding area unfold below you. Passing through small villages and taking by-roads, you approach your  destination Chinon, which impresses visitors with its mighty castle.

You leave Chinon with its mediaeval streets and follow the Vienne to Candes-St-Martin. An enjoyable walk through the village to the highest point of the hill offers an impressive view of the confluence of the two rivers Vienne and Loire. You should not miss out on a further panoramic view of the wide Loire Valley from Saumur Castle.

After some kilometres you enter the vineyards situated at the southern shores of the Loire.  On gentle hills you cycle right through the vineyards. Back again at the coast you cycle through quiet, medieval villages towards your next big Day Finish Angers. Be inspired by the lively university town situated at the Maine.

Angers is situated on the river Maine, the final significant tributary of the Loire before the Atlantic. You follow this river until is joins the river Loire at La Pointe-Bouchemaine. You continue along the foot of a slate-granite massif until Savennières featuring the oldest church of the region. Some of the best wines of the Loire-valley are grown here, fruity, dry white wines – we recommend a visit to one of the vintners. From La Poissonnière the route leads you via dykes with wonderful views onto the river Loire into the trim little town Saint-Florent-le-Vieil.

Another day along the Loire River through continuously changing scenery awaits. The Loire now finally enters Brittany and carves through slate- and granit rocks all the way to Nantes. The cycle path changes the side of the river several times, which also includes tackling a few smaller ascents – which again rewards you with beautiful views. The Loire escorts‘ you into the centre of the historic capital of Brittany, Nantes. Although the Loire estuary into the Atlantic is another 70 km away the influence of the sea is already noticable and visible.

Now the river becomes ever wider, the scenery increasingly placid. You proceed through little villages always downstream to the Loire ending in the Atlantic Ocean. Visit the Atlantic shipyard, which is one of the largest ship building corporations in the world, or the submarine bunker, which is also accessible by bike.

An extensive recreational bike trip along the Loire has thus come to an end. You would like to take the opportunity and relax for a few more days on the Atlantic Ocean?