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2009 www.loire-a-velo.fr
La Loire à Vélo 800 kilometres of discovery
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Villandry
St-Brevin-les-Pins
Pays de la Loire and Loire Valley
The Loire as a constant companion
Candes-St-Martin Saumur
The "Loire à Vélo" trail passes through the Pays de la Loire and Loire Valley regions as well as the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Nature Park. Take the time to discover a rich and diverse heritage by bike alongside the majestic river and recharge your batteries in the heart of an exceptional thriving cultural landscape!
Chaumont-sur-Loire
St-Benoît-sur-Loire
Designed for effortless cycling with your family, the route helps you discover the Loire and its surroundings, the river’s natural banks with gardens to gaze at, characterful towns, the Loire châteaux and other remarkable sites, as well as vineyards set in unspoilt natural surroundings.
Montsoreau
From Cuffy in Cher to Saint-Brevin-les-Pins in Loire-Atlantique, the "Loire à Vélo" route
Since November 2000, from Sully-sur-Loire (Loiret) to Chalonnes-sur-Loire (Maine-etLoire), the Loire Valley has been listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO for its cultural landscapes, and is the largest area in France to be listed as such, stretching out over a length of 280 kilometres and representing a surface area of 800 km2. In addition to the Loire and its banks and hillsides, the defined area incorporates the historical heart of major towns and includes key areas which form an integral part of the Loire landscape.
is laid out section by section. The "Loire à Vélo" trail currently offers 600 of the 800 kilometres of routes soon to be available.
The "Loire à Vélo" route is a unique experience offering discovery and emotion!
Fontevraud
Nantes
Coteaux du Giennois
The "Loire à Vélo" trail forms part of the EuroVelo 6 route, which enable cyclists to travel from the Atlantic seaboard to the Black Sea, following the courses of rivers (Loire, Rhine, Danube)
The "Loire à Vélo" offers:
800
Chambord Troglodytes
Chenonceau
The opportunity to travel through: regions (Loire Valley and Pays de la Loire),
2 6 départements (Cher, Loiret, Loir-et-Cher,
across 10 countries over 3,650 kilometres. www.eurovelo6.org
kilometres of signposted secure routes (currently 600 km)
Indre-et-Loire, Maine-et-Loire, Loire-Atlantique),
1 Regional Nature Park ("Loire-Anjou-Touraine")
14 150 280
accredited bike hire and repair outlets along the route accommodation establishments carrying the "Accueil Vélo" label kilometres of land listed as UNESCO world heritage
Paimbœuf
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Savigny-en-Véron
The "Loire à Vélo" is more than just a cycle route, offering a whole host of services adapted for cycling tourists:
Plan your adventures with
An "Accueil Vélo" accommodation network Accommodation establishments open their doors to touring cyclists and set aside a personal welcome: a specially adapted breakfast for cyclists, an enclosed area for storing bicycles, repair equipment and many other services. Amboise
topo-guides and maps Two “topo-guides” in French devoted to the "Loire à Vélo" trail present the route in detail from Orléans to the Atlantic ocean, and also offer variants. The guidebooks contain information about services and facilities adapted for cyclists in addition to practical and tourist information for effectively planning your bike ride or cycling holiday.
Nantes
These hotels, campsites, guest houses and gîtes
Travel light! Many establishments also offer a luggage transfer service to the following establishment where you will stay.
are located close to the "Loire à Vélo" trail and are recommended for overnight stays.
“La Loire à Vélo d’Orléans à Nantes” published by Éditions Chamina
Bike hire and repair
Six maps of the French part of EuroVelo 6 are available, including 4 of the "Loire à Vélo" route, which are easy-touse and are offered individually or as a set.
Professional bike hire and repair outlets based along the route are committed to offering equipment and services adapted to cycling tourists. > high-quality bicycles > professional advice > breakdown and repair service > bike transport > additional cycling equipment available > useful documentation for touring cyclists > weather information > adapted opening times… Find these professionals online at www.loire-a-velo.fr
“La Loire à Vélo d’Orléans à la mer” published by Éditions Ouest France
“EuroVelo 6 de l’Atlantique au Rhin à Vélo” published by Kartographie Huber
How do I get to the route? TGV RAILWAY STATIONS Tours, Saumur, Angers, Nantes, St-Nazaire
Packages for travelling in total freedom along the banks of the Loire If you want to pedal light and have everything organised for you, why not be tempted by one of our package deals: accommodation, luggage transfer, bike hire, maps and routes in addition to assistance from cycling tourism professionals available 7 days a week.
Discover a range of holiday ideas at www.loire-a-velo.fr
INTERLOIRE AND TER TRAIN SERVICES TER trains are accessible to bikes (subject to availability), connecting Orléans to Nantes several times a day and serving numerous train stations along the way. All timetables and information available at www.voyages-sncf.com AIRPORTS Tours, Angers, Nantes
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Itinerary
La Loire à Vélo
Nantes La re Loi
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THE “PAYS DES CHÂTEAUX À VÉLO”
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Airport TGV railway station
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0 km
20 km
Chaumont-sur-Loire Vie n
AOC GOAT’S CHEESES
ne
Specialities and flavours are waiting to be discovered along the entire length of the route. Try some Crottin de Chavignol goat’s cheese in the hilltop town of Sancerre.
Ind
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Candes-St-Martin
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HENDAYE
Le Bec d'Allier
e rch
Champtoceaux In the Saumur region, the extraction of “tuffeau” freestone led to the emergence of dwelling places hollowed out of this same stone, leaving underground areas which man’s imagination has succeeded in exploiting: wine cellars, mushroom cellars, restaurants, accommodation… The cave dwellers created a secret and fascinating world.
L
All practical information at
www.loire-a-velo.fr
Contacts
Departmental Tourist Boards
Comité Régional du Tourisme du Centre 37 avenue de Paris – F - 45000 Orléans 00 33 (0) 2 38 79 95 28 - www.visaloire.com
CDT Anjou 00 33 (0) 2 41 23 51 51 www.anjou-tourisme.com
CDT Loir-et-Cher 00 33 (0) 2 54 57 00 41 www.coeur-val-de-loire.com
Ancenis 00 33 (0) 2 40 83 07 44 www.ancenis.fr
Blois – Pays de Chambord 00 33 (0) 2 54 90 41 41 www.bloispaysdechambord.com
Nantes 00 33 (0) 8 92 46 40 44 www.nantes-tourisme.com
Saint-Nazaire 00 33 (0) 2 40 22 40 65 www.saint-nazaire-tourisme.com
SEM Régionale des Pays de la Loire Tourisme en Pays de la Loire 1 place de la Galarne – BP 80221 - F - 44202 Nantes cedex 2 00 33 (0) 2 40 48 24 20 - www.enpaysdelaloire.com
CDT Cher 00 33 (0) 2 48 48 00 10 www.berrylecher.com
CDT Loire-Atlantique 00 33 (0) 2 51 72 95 40 www.ohlaloireatlantique.com
Angers 00 33 (0) 2 41 23 50 00 www.angersloiretourisme.com
Chinon 00 33 (0) 2 47 93 17 85 www.chinon.com
Orléans 00 33 (0) 2 38 24 05 05 www.tourisme-orleans.com
Sancerre 00 33 (0) 2 48 54 08 21 www.ville-sancerre.fr
CDT Loiret 00 33 (0) 2 38 78 04 04 www.tourismeloiret.com
CDT Touraine 00 33 (0) 2 47 31 47 48 www.tourism-touraine.com
Amboise 00 33 (0) 2 47 57 09 28 www.amboise-valdeloire.com
Langeais Castelvalerie 00 33 (0) 2 47 96 58 22 www.tourisme-langeais.com
Saint-Brevin-les-Pins 00 33 (0) 2 40 27 24 32 www.mairie-saint-brevin.fr
Saumur 00 33 (0) 2 41 40 20 60 www.saumur-tourisme.com
Mission Val de Loire 00 33 (0) 2 47 66 94 49 - www.valdeloire.org
Lo ire
Sancerre
Azay-le-Rideau
Fontevraud
Area on the UNESCO World Heritage list
Cheverny
CAVE DWELLERS
C TI AN N L AT CEA O
Cathedrals and notable religious buildings
Br
Beuvron
Travel through Châteaux Country by bike! 300 kilometres of possible bike rides and 11 themed circuits between the Loire and Sologne areas, surrounded by forests and vineyards, to be discovered around Chambord, Blois and Cheverny and online Cher at www.chateauxavelo.com
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St-Florent le Vieil
St-Nazaire This is the point where the Loire joins the Atlantic Ocean; the opportunity to follow the route Southwards or Northwards along the specially created tracks and to discover coves, long sandy beaches and famous coastal resorts.
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Great Loire Valley Sites
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THE LOIRE FERRY BOATS
-su
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Continued bike route
St-Benoit-sur-Loire
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THE VINEYARDS OF TOURS
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Discover the Loire ferry boats, an original way of crossing the Loire downriver from Nantes and connecting Le Pellerin to Coueron and Basse-Indre to Indret. Lasting 5 minutes, the "mini-cruise" service is free and open to all.
1
lé Or
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ROSCOFF
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Orléans
Main Tourist Offices Tours 00 33 (0) 2 47 70 37 37 www.ligeris.com
ue aG
r
llie
rem Ap
-A ur t-s on Allier
Along the entire length of the "Loire à Vélo" trail, the Loire landscape invites you to indulge in escapism and discovery. Set out on a bike ride and the Loire will offer you the keys to 2,000 years of History. The route alternates between cycle paths and small roads with little traffic. The route is signposted in both directions for your convenience and safety. Follow the signs!
Orléans
Eurovelo and Velocean itinerary
Forêt d'Orléans
Ca na ld eB ria re
Pays de la Loire
Planned route
May enne
Paris
Temporary itinerary The Loire Valley displays all aspects of the good life. Its internationally renowned vineyards offer high-quality vintage wines and a wide range of AOC (protected designation of origin) wines. Learn how to enjoy them, in moderation of course!
VIENNE
6 BUDAPEST
CONSTANTA
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www.loire-a-velo.fr everything for planning your holidays All practical information can be viewed and downloaded at www.loire-a-velo.fr > contact details for accommodation and bike hire and repair outlets > packages > news and not-to-be-missed events > downloadable routes for planning your overnight stays > ideas for visits and exploring the area … and much more!
Document published in March 2009 by the CRT Centre and the SEM Régionale des Pays de la Loire on behalf of the Centre and Pays de la Loire Regional Councils. All rights to maps, texts and photos reserved. The information contained in this brochure may not engage the responsability of the CRT Centre and the SEM Régionale des Pays de la Loire or the organisations that disseminate it. Photos Centre: M. Jauneaud / Château de Villandry ; P. Berthé / CMN ; Stéphanie Le Donne ; A. Brüggemann ; P. Aucante, Henneghien, C.M. Bray, Y. Wemaëre, E. Mangeat, X. Renauld, J. Puyo, A. Clarysse, C. Mouton / CRT Centre. Pays de la Loire: D.Macel / Ville de St-Nazaire ; J.M Mouchet ; Nautilus ; Nautilus-Nantes ; OTNM/G.Arnaud ; Louresse-Rochemenier /VillageTroglodytique ; A.Cantreau, P.Kyriasis, S.Laval, Ouest Médias, B.Warion / Région des Pays de la Loire ; G.Arnaud, Ph.Caharel, M.Chauvin, P.A.Coumes, D.Drouet, A.S.Flament, J.P.Klein, M.Thiery / SEM Régionale des Pays de la Loire. Cover: Saumur, Angers, Chaumont-sur-Loire, St-Florent-le-Vieil and Chambord. Graphic design: Féminin - Print: LNG - Translation: Hancock Hutton Langues Services Printed with plant-based ink on paper from sustainably managed forests.