Angers / Trélazé /St-Mathurin
This alternative stage for leaving Angers goes via the dark blue slate mines southeast of the city centre on to the light blue waters of the Loire. The track through the disused slate mines at Trélazé is remarkably well laid out, crossing a former industrial landscape turned into a discovery park, with intriguing vistas, picnic areas, sports and leisure areas, a museum and an open-air craft display area.
Gradients and elevation
Road types
Surface
Cycle route
To cross Angers and reach Trélazé you need to follow a mix of cycle tracks, bicycle lanes and roads. Then there’s a clear track through the former slate mine. To cross the Authion River, you need to use the chain ferry. Carrying on from La Daguenière to St-Mathurin-sur-Loire, you follow quiet roads.
From Angers, follow the signs indicating Vers La Loire à Vélo par Trélazé. From La Daguenière use the Loire à Vélo signs to continue east.
Tourist offices
Ferry
Take care as you need to operate the chain ferry over the Authion yourself and be aware that it is only operational from April to the start of November. When the ferry cannot be used, follow the signs for the alternative route.
SNCF train services
Angers train station: TGV high-speed services and TER regional services, line 5 Nantes > Angers > Tours > Orléans
Trélazé train station: opening in 2016
St-Mathurin-sur-Loire train station: TER regional services, line 19 Angers > Saumur > Tours
www.ter.sncf.com/pays-de-la-loire
Don’t miss
Angers: château and medieval Apocalypse Tapestries; Musée de la Tapisserie Contemporaine Jean-Lurçat; Musée des Beaux-Arts; Collégiale Saint-Martin, turned into a museum of religious artefacts; Terra Botanica (park on the theme of plants); river port
Trélazé: the former slate-mining park, the Parc des Ardoisières, attractions including the Musée de l’Ardoise, +33 (0)2 41 69 04 71
St-Mathurin-sur-Loire: Maison de Loire en Anjou, presenting the Loire in Anjou, its flora, fauna and people
Not to be missed on this route
