David Darrault - CRT Centre-Val-de-Loire

Rigny-Ussé, le château de la Belle au Bois Dormant

M. Jeschke - CRT Centre-Val de Loire

Terrasses de café sur la place Plumereau, à Tours

L. de Serres - CMN

J. Damase – Maine-et-Loire

Loire by bike from Tours to Saumur

150 km between gardens and castles along the river

This part of the Loire by bike route follows the mighty Loire, lined with varied vineyards, each with its own microclimate, linked to the confluences where the Cher, Indre and Vienne rivers join the Loire. Before entering Anjou, you cross the western part of Touraine, ‘The Garden of France’, both counties renowned for their quintessentially French attractions, including the local produce, and for French literary geniuses Rabelais, Ronsard and Balzac. An essential section with easy cycling.

Villandry and its French-style gardens

Located in the Loire Valley and completed around 1536, Villandry is the last of the great Loire châteaux to have been built during the Renaissance. It is best known for its gardens, whose flowerbeds are filled with flowers, medicinal plants and vegetables throughout the seasons. Every summer, the Nuits des Milles Feux illuminates the gardens. Remember to book for this event.

Touraine wine tasting

From sweet to dry, including red wine, this tasting is a true introduction to the world of wine. Touraine, Crémant de Loire, Chinon, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, Saumurois, Saumur-Champigny – this region offers a wealth of tastes and flavours to savour during a visit to a wine cellar.

J. Damase – Maine-et-Loire

Journey to the centre of the earth in the troglodyte dwellings of the Saumurois

Travel underground or by bike, as in Souzay-Champigny... From Touraine to the Saumurois, discover these unique sites through a visit to a wine cellar, a quirky accommodation, a mushroom farm or a restaurant. Turquant is brimming with troglodyte houses that can be explored along a signposted discovery trail. Don’t miss the Troglo des pommes tapées, where you can sample this legendary regional speciality.

Amazement at the abbey of Fontevraud

One of Europe’s most exceptional monastic complexes, linked to the Loire à Vélo cycle route, Fontevraud Abbey invites visitors to step back in time across its 6-hectare grounds. From the octagonal Byzantine refectory to the St Mary’s cloister, perfect for meditation, and the abbey church with its recumbent statues, there is so much to discover.

Tailor-made itineraries

Stages Loops

21 Tours / Villandry

22 km

1 h 27 min

I begin

Touraine is known as ‘le Jardin de la France’ (The Garden of France) and Tours is a perfect central gateway for exploring it. This Loire à Vélo stage leads you along the south bank of the Cher River to the Château de Villandry, a major stop, with its world-famous gardens, before rejoining the Loire. Either side of Villandry are picturesque cycle paths leading to the great river. This stage proves extremely enjoyable.

22 Villandry / Rigny-Ussé

21 km

1 h 22 min

I begin

This is a star-studded Loire à Vélo stage, taking you from the glorious Château de Villandry, with its stunning gardens, on via the confluence of Loire and Cher rivers to the fairytale Château d’Ussé. On this stage, you cycle along a raised levée beside the Loire, allowing you wonderful views of the great river. This is a special stage, mainly along shared country roads.

23 Rigny-Ussé / Candes-St-Martin

25 km

1 h 35 min

I begin

This Loire à Vélo stage is marked by atmospheric islands in the Loire colonized by birds. At the Indre River’s confluence with the Loire, the setting is unspoilt. Further west, enjoy one of the most magnificent panoramas on the Loire à Vélo and Eurovelo 6 routes from gorgeous Candes-St-Martin, looking onto the confluence of Vienne and Loire rivers. This stage is easy, alternating between greenways and quiet country roads.

24 Candes-St-Martin / Saumur

17 km

1 h 12 min

I begin

This Loire à Vélo stage from Candes-St-Martin to Saumur takes you from Touraine into the famous neighbouring county of Anjou, offering a wealth of discoveries, alternating between wine and subterranean (or troglodyte) sights. Either stick to greenways down by the Loire, or choose the higher, more demanding route on small country roads, through vine-covered slopes, ending with a dramatic arrival at Saumur Castle.

De Fontevraud l’Abbaye à Seuilly - Boucle vélo n°58

14 km

1 h 00 min

Je débute

Monument emblématique de l’Anjou, l’Abbaye de Fontevraud est marquée par l’histoire d’Aliénor d’Aquitaine et de Richard Cœur de Lion. Plein de charme, le centre du village mérite également largement d’être vu, avant d’enfourcher votre bicyclette et de filer en Touraine. Les paysages faisant la part belle à des champs de tournesols, on se croirait parfois dans le Gers, mais c’est bien vers le théâtre des guerres picrocholines de François Rabelais que vous pédalerez, dans le pays chinonais.