Cycle along the Loire riverbanks on the famous “Loire à Vélo” route and discover the “Valley of the Kings”, a World Heritage Site by Unesco
A part of UNESCO’s World Heritage, the Loire Valley is a living cultural landscape. With a great river, a fertile land and temperate climate, it is a privileged place. Its geography, history and natural sites make the Loire Valley an obvious choice for a cycling holiday! Castles, vineyards, rivers, typical and preserved architecture offer a variety of interests of a rare density.
From the Cher to the Loire Atlantique, the Loire river runs through a long valley, offering great cultural diversity. From Nevers in the center of France to the estuary in Saint-Brévin-les-Pins, the inhabitants still have a strong connection with the longest river in France, each with local specificities. The river formed various landscapes, sometimes uphill, sometimes digging cavities, where long ago men found shelter before building homes. You might have the opportunity to sleep in a troglodyte bedroom after a day’s ride.
Created in 1995, the “Loire à vélo” is a 800 km cycling route composed of small roads and greenways. If most of the network is on small roads, facilities and dedicated bike paths grow a bit more each year and help keep you away from traffic. Common to the Eurovelo 6 which links the Atlantic to the Black Sea, the “Loire à vélo” is one of the most popular and accessible bike routes. The low height difference is a real asset and first time cycling travelers often choose it as their starting experience. The network of cycling routes, greenways and large number of villages with hotels and bed and breakfast make it a great destination for families.
The Loire Valley is much more than just a cycling route! All around the river, many roads and greenways take you to castles, vineyards and other attractions of the Loire’s rich heritage.
Our trips show you the best of what the valley has to offer, along the official route and alternative local loops. We select our favorite sections and personally choose small roads and great pathways to not miss out on Loire Valley’s riches. Accommodations have adapted to the popularity of the “Loire à vélo” by gradually developing services for cyclists. You can identify them by the Accueil Vélo accreditation, certifying their capacity to welcome cyclists and offer dedicated services.
The Loire valley has a gentle climate you can enjoy throughout the year. Neither too hot nor too cold, temperatures are ideal for cycling. As they are very favorable for gardens and vegetable growers, the region has been nicknamed the Garden of France.
The oceanic climate brings frequent cloudy periods yet the rainfall is below average. Its sunshine rate is average, with good temperatures from May to September. Summer has some stormy episodes; however you won’t experience torrential rain.
Life is good here. It is no coincidence the Kings of France made it their residency of choice by setting up their court in Chambord, and in the entire valley from Nantes to Sully-sur-Loire.
The Loire Valley has a rich heritage. It is so dense it is impossible to mention all of it. It takes several trips to discover! Along the majestic river from Sully to Saint-Brévin, here are some sites worth seeing in a cycling trip to the Loire:
Bonjour, Suite au Week-End, un peu pluvieux, passé ensemble autour des Châteaux de la Loire, merci pour tes efforts et ta compagnie. A une prochaine fois, sans doute... (05/2013)
Now that we are home and recovering from jet lag we would like to thank you and Davide for making it such an enjoyable trip despite the rain. The routes were very carefully crafted and gave us good views on safe roads and trails. The GPS was very easy to follow (...). The bikes were very good and performed without problem and the panniers and handlebar bags were the best we have encountered. We think that the combination route that we created with your help gave us good variety in the time we had allowed ourselves. (...) We will certainly recommend Abicyclette to anyone interested in seeing Bretagne on a bike. (...) Thank you again for a wonderful trip. Will and Marilyn (09/2017)
It has been an excellent experience. Totally raw with the bicycles, everything was organized so well (bicycles, housings, local information to eating) that we enjoy every moment of the tour. The explanations of the first day on the part of the guide us turned out to be very useful and to know that always you could rely on the organization it allowed us to enjoy the trip. The tour, on there having no been rolled traffic, is most indicated for people that as us it cannot circulate in road with the bicycle. The way of sirga that accompanies on the channel of Nantes Brest is of a spectacular beauty. It seems of another time, to admire the flowers that adorn the exclusas of the Channel, the villages that you are, a marvel. What more we estimate : All the explanations the day of delivery of the bicycles and of the documentation. The transport of suitcases and last day the taxi up to the village where we had to catch the bus. We come to France without having anything organized absolutely. (09/2017)
Dear Fabien, Thank you very much for your interest. Thanks to the good one to do, the enthusiasm and the explanations of the guide, today the first day we have completed the first stage successfully in spite of being experienced neither at bicycles nor in GPS. Incredible!!! Thank you very much. A greeting Martha (08/2017)
Hi David Just wanted to mention again what a wonderful trip we had along the Loire in Brittany . We loved the food, and the itineraries were just right (...) Cheers Trevor (11/2018)
Hi Fabien, Thank you for a most lovely organised trip on the Brest Canal last week with Annick. We live in Somerset UK near Exmoor and we welcome you to visit and stay anytime to cycle our hills!!! We all had a great time and good Hotels food and wine. Yours sincerely. (05/2015)
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