Cycling in the Loire Valley : our tips (to take full advantage !)

The Loire is a wild and beautiful river.
Its cycling route covers 900km!
A superb route along its banks and around the castles. It is one of the most beautiful cycling routes in France, and in the world.
Here are all our tips to make the most of the Loire Valley by bike.

This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.

Content

6 planning tips

Cycling in the Loire Valley: the best sections

Which castles not to miss

A very well organized itinerary

Tips for discovering the Loire by bike with your family

6 planning tips

1. Starting point of the Loire à vélo (Loire Valley by bike)

Depending on the section you want to cycle in, the main stations to arrive at are :

Nantes (2h by TGV from Paris or via the airport)
Angers (1h30 by TGV from Paris)
Tours (1h15 by TGV from Paris)
Blois (1h30 by regional train from Paris)
Orléans (1h15 by regional train from Paris)
Nevers (2h by regional train from Paris)

2. When to cycle

The landscapes are beautiful all year round.
However, the weather is more suitable for cycling between April and October.
In July and August, the bicycle paths are much more crowded, especially around the most beautiful castles of the Loire.
June and September are our favorite months.
But if you don't mind lower temperatures, in October, the autumn landscapes are worth a visit.

3. How long to leave

There are plenty of beautiful sections, so it's easy to go for just a few days or several weeks.
The main sections are up the river:

The Loire estuary : 95km
Nantes to Angers : 105km
Angers to Saumur : 65km
Saumur to Tours : 100km
Tours to Blois : 78km
Blois to Orleans : 73km
Orleans to Nevers : 230k

To really enjoy the trip, we recommend a minimum of 5 days.

And to make the whole trip: if we plan 40km per day, with 900km of tracks it represents 22 days. But that's without counting all the detours to see the castles!

4. Find your way from the beginning : Map of the Loire à Vélo -

coming soon

5. How many routes to plan each day

It depends on your level, the presence of children and how many castles you want to visit.
For beginners, it is recommended not to exceed 40km per day.
But if you want to visit and enjoy a lot, we recommend 25 to 35km per day.

6. Anticipate the booking of accommodation

There is a good choice of hotels and accommodations along the Loire by bike route. Some have the label "Accueil Vélo". But the Loire castles are very popular and the best hotels fill up quickly.
So remember to book early.

See our favorite accommodations along the Loire by bike (coming soon).