Chalonnes-sur-Loire / St-Florent-le-Vieil La Loire à Vélo - Loire Valley by bike

Route

On the  Ile de Chalonnes, on quiet roads through these historic parts. From Montjean-sur-Loire, the route goes on levées used by very few cars. From Ingrandes to St-Florent the D 210 road does have quite a lot of traffic.

Link

At Ingrandes, cross the bridge onto the north bank of the Loire to reach the village with its train stop.

Railway station - SNCF

Ingrandes train stop (automatic ticket machine): TER regional trains serving Angers, Tours, Orléans and Nantes.

Don’t miss

Île de Chalonnes: one of the largest islands on the Loire, inhabited by man since prehistoric times. Typical Loire dwellings to admire.
Chalonnes-sur-Loire: the remarkable Château de Candais; St Pierre Tower
Montjean-sur-Loire: it’s worth the very steep climb up to the village to admire the glorious panorama across the Loire Valley; try a boat trip out on the Loire – choose from La Ligériade II, La Montjeannaise or Le Balbuzard
Ingrandes: once an important port on the Loire, with toll, but known for its salt smuggling to avoid the gabelle, or salt tax
St-Florent-le-Vieil: in former times, with a gabelle (salt tax) toll; Mont Glonne abbey church, with tremendous views down on the Loire from its terrace; museum of local history and of the anti-Republican Revolutionary Guerres de Vendée

Markets

• Chalonnes-sur-Loire: Tuesday and Saturday morning
• Montjean-sur-Loire: Thursday morning
• Ingrandes: Friday morning
• St-Florent-le-Vieil: Friday afternoon

Tourist Information centres

• Chalonnes-sur-Loire: +33(0)2 41 78 26 21
• Montjean-sur-Loire: +33(0)2 41 39 07 10
• Ingrandes: +33(0)2 41 39 29 06
• St-Florent-le-Vieil: +33(0)2 41 72 62 32