The Vallée du Loir by bike

Official route

Sarthe Développement - J. Damase

Le Château du Lude - Loir Valley by bike

Comité Itinéraire vallée du Loir à vélo – Stevan Lira

Sarthe Développement - J. Damase

Itinéraire vélo dans les vignobles de la Vallée du Loir

Sarthe Développement - J. Damase

Visit of a wine cellar in Chahaignes - Vallée du Loir by bike

Sarthe Développement - J. Damase

Balisage et panneau vélo dans la Vallée du Loir

One way

320 km

1 week or more

I cycle often

Illiers-Combray

Angers

Nature & small heritage

This cycle route commences where the Loir (without an “e”) springs up, between the Beauce and Perche areas. The Vallée du Loir à Vélo is the first French cycle route to follow a river from its source to its confluence – it joins the Loire à Vélo cycle route north of the city of Angers. The Loir Valley has been designated a Pays d’Art et d’Histoire thanks to its rich heritage. The way begins in gently undulating lands that present a mosaic of different landscapes typical of the larger region, with cereal crops, vineyards and orchards. The route is dotted with charming villages built beside the Loir. Some boast troglodytic homes dug into the limestone riverbanks, a fascinating curiosity. Entering the county of Sarthe, the route leads past lakes and pastures to Le Lude, marked by its grand Renaissance château with formal French gardens. Then a greenway leads to the historic town of La Flèche, with a zoological park on its outskirts. Continue on to Angers.

Signposting and state of the itinerary

The Vallée du Loir by bike is a cycling itinerary linked to two other routes : V41 and V47. The largest part of the itinerary (90%) is developped on shared lanes (with motorized vehicles) with few traffic.

Gradients and elevation

Ascents: 755m

Descents: 894m

Lowest point: 11m

Highest point: 167m

Road types

252km (86%) By road

42km (14%) Cycle path

Surface

253km (86%) Smooth

33km (11%) Unknown

3km (1%) Rough

6km (2%) Unpaved

Trains et transport sur The Vallée du Loir by bike

The route is well served by trains; however, please be aware that during peak times, transporting bicycles on TER trains can be difficult.

Access by train:

To reach the start (Illiers-Combray): Illiers-Combray station
From the finish (Angers): Angers station

Not to be missed on this route

The Château du Lude and its gardens

Sites and historical monuments

Le Lude

Au-delà de l’aspect imposant du site, l’âme du Lude imprègne toute la visite de ce château. Objet de tous les soins d’une famille qui l’occupe depuis deux cent soixante ans, il est un des rares grands châteaux à être encore habités.

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"Accueil Vélo" accommodation on The Vallée du Loir by bike

60 Accueil Vélo accommodations await you on The Vallée du Loir by bike!

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Campsites

Bed and breakfast

Hotels

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The 9 stages of The Vallée du Loir by bike

1 Illiers-Combray / Châteaudun

39 km

2 h 35 min

I cycle often

Determined cyclists might begin this journey by the source of the Loir, at Saint-Éman. Many will opt to start from the little historic town of Illiers-Combray, immortalized in Marcel Proust’s masterpiece, Remembrance of Things Past.
South through fields and pastures, you come to the walled medieval town of Bonneval, nicknamed the Little Venice of the Beauce area. Finally comes the town of Châteaudun, a member of the association “Les Plus Beaux Détours de France”. Its historic centre and vast château look down dramatically on the Loir.

2 Châteaudun / Vendôme

52 km

3 h 28 min

I cycle often

This stage sticks closely to the Loir, taking you along its undulating valley. Early on, the striking Château de Montigny-le-Gannelon will stop you in your tracks. Next, the village of Cloyes-les-Trois-Rivières proves charming. Then comes the Vendômois area, with its forests and agricultural land, plus the odd vineyard. Picturesque villages stand out. The town of Vendôme, rich in heritage and crisscrossed by branches of the Loir, makes an ideal stop, both cultural and gastronomic… with trips on the river on offer too!

3 Vendôme / Montoire-sur-le-Loir

25 km

1 h 38 min

I cycle often

This stage continues to follow the Loir’s meandering curves. Near the start, the nautical centre at Villiers-sur-Loir offers a great opportunity for you to cool off before crossing more of the Vendômois area’s countryside. The town of Montoire-sur-le-Loir boasts a rich medieval heritage, including historic houses right by the water. It makes a good stop on the route.

4 Montoire-sur-le-Loir / Ruillé-sur-Loir

24 km

1 h 36 min

I cycle often

Back in the saddle, head to the intriguingly named village of Trôo, right by the Loir. Climbing from the waterside, discover troglodytic homes concealed in the riverbank. Next, after hugging the Loir for a time, the route moves furtively away from it at Couture-sur-Loir, where the birthplace of splendid 16th-century poet Ronsard stands out. Then comes the intense Jasnières wine area, before you enter the county of Sarthe at Ruillé-sur-Loir.

5 Ruillé-sur-Loir / Château-du-Loir

23 km

1 h 33 min

I cycle often

The Vallée du Loir à Vélo starts its part in the county of Sarthe at Ruillé-sur-Loir, then goes to Château-du-Loir via La Chartre-sur-le-Loir and the wine-producing Coteaux du Loir slopes. Wine-lovers can enjoy discovering the rare Jasnières wines and Marçon vineyards. If you enjoy swimming, try Les Varennes Lake and its outdoor sports centre.

6 Château-du-Loir / Le Lude

29 km

1 h 56 min

I cycle often

The Vallée du Loir à Vélo cycle route takes to the high ground above the town of Château-du-Loir before going back down to the River Loir. Enjoy the meadows, hedgerows and lakes as you pass through the valley. At Vaas, riding beside the Loir, go and see Rotrou Mill. Then continue on towards Le Lude.

7 Le Lude / La Flèche

21 km

1 h 25 min

I cycle often

The splendid Château du Lude and its formal French gardens make for a great visit. Then rejoin the Vallée du Loir à Vélo via a greenway. This lovely, gentle track takes you along a former railway line, up to the riverside town of La Flèche, where you can rejoin the V44 La Sarthe à Vélo route.

8 La Flèche / Durtal

23 km

1 h 30 min

I cycle often

From La Flèche, this last stage of the Vallée du Loir à Vélo takes you along quiet, easy little country roads to Cré-sur-Loir. Pretty marshlands line the Loir in these parts, with reedbeds, riverside woods and watery meadows making up an unspoilt natural zone in the midst of the Pays Fléchois area.

9 Durtal / Angers

58 km

4 h 30 min

I cycle often

From one bank to the other of the Loir valley and after the imposing fortress of the Kings of France in Durtal, the Angevin stage continues on small roads or country lanes through dams and mills. Villevêque is a historical and artistic place where you can swim or canoe along the Loir River. In Cantenay-Epinard, the route joins the Vélo Francette, allowing you to discover the low valleys of Angevin and then the famous town of King René.

The Vallée du Loir by bike