A main gateway to the Loire Valley, Orléans is a city where the Loire and French history meet dramatically. The town is welcoming, its centre geared to pedestrians who can enjoy a slow pace and a peaceful atmosphere exploring the historic quarters and Ste-Croix Cathedral. After a good wander, time to get on your bike again, starting by enjoying discovering the lovely confluence of Loiret and Loire Rivers. Next, the route takes you in part along a stretch of Loire levée, allowing you to look across the wide agricultural and market-gardening lands up to Meung-sur-Loire. In this historic town, the Château de Meung-sur-Loire’s dungeons once housed disruptive medieval poet François Villon!
Gradients and elevation
Slope breakdown
Road types
- Cycle path
- Routes reserved for cyclists and pedestrians (greenways, cycle tracks, towpaths), separated from cars for maximum safety.
- Shared road
- Quiet minor roads with little traffic (unless otherwise stated in the stage details). Shared with cars (stay alert).
- Not specified
- Data unavailable or being assessed. Please refer to the detailed stage description.
- Provisional
- Section on a road or cycle path awaiting better-quality facilities (see stage details).
Surface
- Smooth
- Asphalt, tarmac or smooth concrete. Optimal comfort.
- Rough
- Fine gravel, compacted stabilised surface or worn tarmac. Less comfortable, vibrations possible.
- Natural
- Dirt, grass, roots or stones. Under 5%: short sections with little impact. Higher percentage: route suited to mountain or gravel bikes only.
- Not specified
- Data unavailable or being assessed. Please refer to the detailed stage description.
The route
Take care crossing the bridge at Meung-sur-Loire, on the D18 road.
Surfacing smooth: the asphalt is in good condition along the Loire levée.
Links
To Orléans town centre and train station
Trains
- Orléans train station, with good daily services to and from Paris to the northeast and to and from Blois and Tours to the southwest
- Meung-sur-Loire train station
Don’t miss
- Orléans: designated a Ville d’Art & d’Histoire for its rich historical legacy; Cathédrale Sainte-Croix; Maison de Jeanne d’Arc (on Joan of Arc); Hôtel Groslot (an historic house turned town hall); the restored Loire-side quays
- Pointe de Courpain: at the confluence of Loiret and Loire Rivers
- Cléry-St-André: Notre-Dame de Cléry Basilica
- Orléanais vineyards (the wines awarded AOC status)
- Meung-sur-Loire: the château; Saint-Liphard collegiate church; the Jardin de Roquelin (a garden open to the public)
