2-week bike trip in the Loire Valley, from Orléans to the ocean

Familiarize yourself with the area on your first stroll through downtown Orléans. A city with a rich heritage, marked by great historical figures such as Joan of Arc, means there's no shortage of places to visit.

Ride leisurely on the river banks surrounded by a lush vegetation to Cléry St André basilica, where the French King Louis XI is buried. You go further along the river to Meung-sur-Loire. This small medieval town was the residency of the archbishops of Orléans and inherited a nice collegiate church. Stop at the castle and stroll aroung the historic center before heading to your final destination of the day, Beaugency overlooked by its 11th century dungeon.

You continue your ride to Blois, enter chateau de Chambord’s magnificent forest and take a peek at the sculpted salamanders engraved on the walls of Loire’s most extravagant castle. You pass through quiet villages before getting back along the river and enjoying a wonderful view on Blois old town. Discover the charms of the chateau de Blois, which was the stage of many court plots. Look carefully at the spiral staircase and be amazed by this architectural marvel.

You ride on the river banks to Chaumont-sur-Loire and its International Garden Festival, where it is really worth to stop to admire the colorful and inspired creations of top garden designers. You ride further on country roads to Amboise, a nice medieval town known for its castle and for hosting Clos Lucé, the last home of Leonardo da Vinci.

Let us guide you through the forest and along the river banks to the Renaissance masterpiece, the Chateau de Chenonceau on the Cher, a Loire château born of the whims of a favorite. You can also continue your ride to an underground city and a mushroom cellar near Bourré (+ 24 Km).

Today, you can choose between two wine routes to Tours. Both routes offer superb scenery and a pleasant drive! One takes you through the postcard-perfect vineyards of Vouvray, where you can stop off at the Vouvray cellars for a visit and wine tasting. The other route takes you through the white wine region of Montlouis-sur-Loire, where you can plan a visit to the Touraine aquarium at Lussault-sur-Loire, France's largest freshwater aquarium.

You ride leisurely on the cycling path along the Loire to leave Tours and reach the castle of Villandry with its beautiful French gardens. You can make a detour to visit Langeais and its medieval castle (+22km). Enjoy the banks of the Loire Valley before riding up through forests towards the castle of Azay-le-Rideau.

Cycle back on the « Loire à vélo » route and take the dike to get to the chateau d’Ussé which inspired Perrault's tale of Sleeping Beauty. You enter into Chinon overlooking the old town. Enjoy the labyrinth of medieval narrow streets when you ride down the Vienne River.

You continue to ride along the Vienne River and enjoy the view on the wild Loire banks. You arrive in the gorgeous small village of Candes-Saint-Martin built with freestone. You can stop to admire the XIIth century foundation church. Keep on to Montsoreau which is one of the “Loveliest Villages in France” built around its castle. From there, you have the option to keep on the hills to Fontevraud which is worth visiting for its magnificent abbey which shelters the tombs of Richard the Lionheart and Eleanor of Aquitaine (+12 km RT). Otherwise ride straight to Saumur. On your way you admire the cave house villages and stop to taste Saumur wines in the numerous wine cellars. Discover Saumur and its castle with impressive dungeons at the end of this idyllic ride.

This stage is the opportunity to take full advantage of the region's rich heritage. In Trèves stands a 30 meter high keep, the last vestige of a fortress built in the 15th century! Before arriving in Gennes, you pass through a forest and alongside a pond: this is one of the most beautiful picnic areas on the Loire route. After Gennes, the stage is wild, offering views of the many islands that dot this stretch of river. You cross the Loire and Loiret at Les Ponts-de-Cé and continue to the confluence with the Maine, which you follow leisurely upstream to Angers. Don't miss a visit to the château, which houses the priceless treasure of the Apocalypse Tapestry.

Retrace your track out of Angers along the Maine river to the confluence with the Loire. Continue away from the river on the slopes of the prestigious Savennières vineyard. After crossing the island of Chalonnes, one of the biggest of the Loire Valley, ride on the South bank of the river. Do not hesitate to ride uphill to explore the perched village of Montjean-sur-Loire and a few kilometers further in Saint-Florent-le-Vieil to visit the abbey on top of Mont Glone. Continue your ride on country roads surrounded by groves. Cross the Loire river for the last time of the day to proceed into Ancenis and admire its impressive medieval castle.

Start the day reaching the lovely town of Oudon and its impressive dungeon guarding the city. You get to the left bank of the river to Champtoceaux, old medieval fortress. Riding along the river and its islands, you’ll cross the first lamb’s lettuce fields near Nantes.

Eventually, a nice shady cycle path will take you to the Dukes’ city. Pass by the former LU biscuit factory,  nowadays cultural and artistic center. Your itinerary ends in front of the beautiful Ducs de Bretagne castle, in the historical center of Nantes.

This stage takes the South bank of the Loire estuary. You cycle out of Nantes passing on the island and its artistic site, Les Machines de l’Ile. You ride further to the colourful neighborhood of Trentemoult, then through the shopping and residential areas before going through typical villages of the estuary hills. After Le Pellerin, you cycle along the canal de la Martinière and at the end, arrive in the port of Paimboeuf. You can already feel the fresh sea air. You finish the day with a breathtaking view on the bridge of Saint-Nazaire, at the entrance of Saint-Brévin.

After breakfast, enjoy a final stroll along the seafront before heading home or extending your stay at your leisure.