Mauves-sur-Loire / Nantes

Designated European Green Capital in 2013, the city of Nantes comes into view, a shaded towpath offering a gentle way into town. The new Tabarly Bridge leads over to L’île de Nantes, home to extraordinary outsized machines you can ride on, and to the Malakoff Quarter, being completely renovated. This island makes for a great introduction to the joyous tumult of the largest city along the Loire à Vélo cycle route.

Route

Arriving in Nantes, use the cycle track to the left, running beside the Loire. To continue towards the sea, cross Willy-Brandt Bridge and follow the south bank to the right. For the train station, at Willy-Brandt Bridge, continue straight on to Tbilissi Round-About, then take the small Rue du Cornulier opposite to reach the southern train station and the town centre

The Loire à Vélo via the Loire’s south bank

Between the bridges of Mauves-sur-Loire and Bellevue, a cycle path laid out as close as possible to the Lorie, below the RD 751 road, offers a pleasant alternative to the route along the Loire’s north bank.

Don’t miss

Nantes: with a multitude of sights to discover, including: Les Machines de l’Île (extraordinary outsized machines you can ride on); the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, home to a remarkable museum; the startling major contemporary art works of the Estuaire initiative, scattered along the river.

Markets

• Nantes: samedi matin à la Petite-Hollande
• Talensac: tous les matins sauf le lundi