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Pedalling past vineyards, castles and troglodyte villages, La Loire à Vélo (the Loire cycle route) links together nearly 900 km of marked trail from the Berry region to the Atlantic. From Cuffy to the tip of Saint-Brevin-les-Pins, six major sections structure this cycling journey, suitable for families and keen cyclists alike.
This article rounds up the key stretches, relay towns and practical tips for a relaxed ride.
La Loire à Vélo is the flagship French section of EuroVelo 6, running between Cuffy and Saint-Brevin-les-Pins. This marked route, nearly 900 km long, follows Europe’s last wild river through 6 departments and two regions: Centre-Val de Loire, then Pays de la Loire.
The route remains very accessible: little elevation change, dedicated greenways along more than 60% of the trail, and low-traffic shared roads elsewhere. The white-and-green diamond-shaped markers let you follow the route with confidence, in either direction, whether starting from the Berry or from the Atlantic.
As for heritage, the stages pass through a UNESCO-listed section between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes-sur-Loire. Seven royal châteaux, several appellation vineyards and troglodyte villages line this heritage-rich ribbon.
Our tip: we recommend allowing one to two weeks, depending on your pace, to complete the entire route.
Centre-Val de Loire holds the historic heart of the route, between the vineyards of the Sancerre area and the châteaux of Touraine. Three major stages are worth a stop of several days.
The Sancerre-Orléans section covers around 130 km of flat riverside riding. Notable stops: the Briare canal bridge, designed by Gustave Eiffel, the royal château of Gien, and Sully-sur-Loire, the gateway to the UNESCO-listed valley.
Orléans to Blois covers around 60 km of greenway, among the smoothest riding on the route. Beaugency deserves half a day for its keep and medieval bridge. Near Muides-sur-Loire, a 16 km detour leads to the Château de Chambord estate.
Between Blois and Tours, the route strings together 3 major châteaux in under 60 km. Chaumont-sur-Loire, with its International Garden Festival, and Amboise, home to the Clos Lucé where Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years. A 17 km detour also lets you reach Chenonceau, perched over the Cher.
The Pays de la Loire extends the route for almost 350 km, through marshland scenery and out to the Atlantic estuary. Take a quick look at our waterside campsites in the Pays de la Loire. Here, three major sections make up this stage:
Tours to Saumur stretches over around 80 km, taking in Villandry, Langeais and Candes-Saint-Martin. Troglodyte cellars carved into the tuffeau stone punctuate the landscape. Saumur announces itself with its national riding school, the Cadre Noir, and its château perched above the river.
Saumur to Angers runs for around 50 km along the riverbanks, at the heart of the Anjou and Saumur-Champigny appellation vineyards. The Romanesque basilica of Cunault, a listed historic monument, is well worth a stop. Angers rounds off this section with its Apocalypse Tapestry at the château, and its quays looking out over the Maine.
From Angers to Saint-Brevin, the route follows the Loire for more than 150 km, through Ancenis, Nantes and the Pays de Retz. Nantes offers a long urban detour via Les Machines de l’Île. The tip of Saint-Brevin-les-Pins brings the journey to a close, facing the Saint-Nazaire bridge.
Good logistics are key to a successful trip. Our team recommends booking your accommodation in advance between May and September, a busy period on the most popular stages such as Amboise, Blois or Saumur.
A few services and bits of kit to plan ahead of hitting the road:
So, ready to hop on your bike and follow the Loire from the Berry to the Atlantic? Book your campsites for each key stage today!
For La Loire à Vélo, the classic breakdown suggests 12 to 14 daily stages averaging 50 to 70 km. Families often prefer splitting it into 18 shorter stages. Conversely, experienced cyclists can group it into 8 to 10 longer stages, with luggage transported by a service provider.
The total distance of La Loire à Vélo comes to nearly 900 km, from Cuffy in the Cher to Saint-Brevin-les-Pins in Loire-Atlantique. The route crosses 6 departments and forms part of EuroVelo 6. Allow one to two weeks to cover the entire route, depending on your pace and how many sights you want to visit.
The finest stages of La Loire à Vélo are concentrated between Sully-sur-Loire and Saumur, within the UNESCO-listed section. Blois-Chambord-Amboise remains the most iconic stretch, with three royal châteaux within 60 km of cycling. Sancerre and Saint-Brevin, meanwhile, offer contrasting scenery.
Yes, La Loire à Vélo is entirely suitable for families, thanks to its almost flat profile and more than 60% dedicated cycle paths. Children aged 8 and up can manage stages of 30 to 40 km, with heritage or swimming stops paced to suit them.
