You individually travel to Orléans, the entrance/gateway to the heart of the famous Loire valley. Once it was a capital in the early French Middle Ages, but nowadays it’s a lively, modern town with a beautiful historic centre.  An ideal place to start this route along Europe’s last wild river: the Loire.

Once you have left the city noise behind, you soon reach the confluence of the Loiret and the Loire. A part of the day you follow the high banks with beautiful views of the surrounding undulating countryside. Don’t miss the charming and historic town Meung-sur-Loire. Finally arrive at historic Beaugency where you can admire the beautiful old Loire bridge. In 1429 Jeanne d'Arc's army was crossing this bridge to liberate the smal town. You will find her statue here on a prominent spot.

Challenge : 28.2 km, 159 m ascent, 172 m descent

Leave charming Beaugency behind you and follow the wonderful, flat track along the river bank from Tavers to Averay. It leads you in a very relaxed way into the unique landscape of the world famous ‘Pays des Châteaux’: Chambord, Blois, Amboise, Tours...  Choose one of the different routes available. Although the original ‘Loire à Vélo’ route is the fastest, other more winding circuits make it possible to admire also other splendid 'chateaux' before you enter the historic city of Blois. 

Challenge : 34.4 km, 229 m ascent, 246 m descent

From Blois you follow the southern bank of the Loire. Between rolling hills with vineyards you cycle to Cande-sur-Beuvron. Cycle back along the Beuvron to the majestic Loire. High on the bank is the elegant castle of Chaumont-sur-Loire surrounded by beautiful gardens. You are in the historic region Touraine. Visit a wine grower and taste a local ‘sauvignon blanc´. Enjoy the grandeur of the Château Amboise and Clos-Lucé where Leonardo da Vinci once stayed. There are some short climbs on the way.

Challenge : 42.2 km, 341 m ascent, 345 m descent

Leave the medieval atmosphere of Amboise behind you and cycle tnto the region of the prestigious ´Montlouis’ wines. The ideal microclimate, close to where the Loire and Cher unite, produces grapes of a unique quality. Discover this yourself during a visit to a wine cellar or a lunchbreak. A fine track leads to Tours, the friendly capital of what is called ´the garden of France'. Here great experiences are awaiting you like the magnificent cathedral and basilica, the Olivier Debré Art Centre, the Botanical Garden, the flavors of the markets...

Challenge : 55.6 km, 419 m ascent, 434 m descent

This beautiful short stage takes you first along the south bank of the dreamy Cher river to the picturesque village of Savonnières, known for its caves and underground lake. Not many kilometers later you reach your final destination Villandry. Visit the palatial castle of the same name with its world-famous gardens and refined interior which gives a good impression of the French 'art de vivre' in the 18th century. If you also want to visit the Castle of Azay-le-Rideau, then after this visit you still have a 13 km extra, including a few hills, to another final destination, Azay-le-Rideau, on the river Indre, a tributary of the Loire.

Challenge : 41.1 km, 336 m ascent, 339 m descent

Here the Indre ends in the Loire, and nature is almost unspoiled. It will be one of the most beautiful stages that you first take to the fairytale Château of Ussé. On the high river banks you have a beautiful view over the islands where different species of water birds live. Going more to the west, you arrive in the beautiful Candes-St-Martin, labeled one of the most beautiful villages in France, where the Vienne and Loire meet. You end in Montsoreau, also labeled one of the most beautiful villages.

Challenge : 49.7 km, 438 m ascent, 408 m descent

You are here in the Anjou region, known for its good wines and impressive troglodytes. A wonderful, short route with lots to see on the way. Choose the bike path close to the Loire or follow the higher, more strenuous route across the vineyards. Both end in the beautiful city of Saumur. Make an extensive city walk through this horse city, home to the prestigious equestrian school 'Cadre Noir', where the elite of French riders is trained. Enjoy in the old center of the beautiful houses with their chalk-white, tufa facades. Admire the proud castle and the other 54 classified monuments.

Challenge : 15.9 km, 230 m ascent, 238 m descent

Departure right along the south bank of the river. Admire the monuments of local white tufa, such as the church of Cunault and the St-Maur abbey. Once in Saint-Mathurin-sur-Loire you have the choice whether you take the train to your final destination Angers or you will cycle 25 km extra to reach this city. You then follow the north bank of the Loire through a former swamp area that was drained in the Middle Ages. Later you will see tracks of the old slate quarries of Trélazé. Then, taking a small ferry, you cross the Authion river. Faraway your destination Angers, situated on both sides of the river Maine, attracts your attention.

Challenge : 58.5 km, 613 m ascent, 598 m descent

End of your trip after breakfast. We advise you to extend your stay in order to take the time to visit the beautiful city of Angers. You can travel back to Tours (or different city) by train.