Start: Saumur Finish: St. Nazaire
You individually travel to Saumur. Check-in at your hotel. Have you got some time left then visit the horse town Saumur, the home base of the prestigious riding academy Cadre Noir, where the elite of the French horsemen is trained. Enjoy the beautiful houses with their white tuff stone fronts in the centre. Admire the proud castle and all the other classified monuments.
Go right along the southern bank of the river. Admire the monuments of local white tuff stone, such as the church in Cunault and St-Maur Abbey. Once in St-Mathurin-sur-Loire you follow the northern bank of the Loire through a former swamp that was drained in the Middle Ages. Some time later you see tracks of the old slate quarries of Trélazé. Then, taking a small ferry, you cross the Authion river. Faraway your destination Angers, situated on both sides of the river Maine, attracts your attention.
Challenge: 59km, 192m ascent, 190m descent
You leave the busy town in a surprisingly calm way through a park like setting. Cycling along the river Maine you reach Bouchemaine, with pleasant restaurants and nice picnic places. Here the Maine flows out in the Loire. Somewhat more to the west the vineyards of Savennières and Coteaux du Layon begin. You cycle close to the river and cross the island of Chalonnes. Via calm tracks you reach the high Montjean-sur-Loire with beautiful views. In the charming St-Florent-le-Vieil you finally finish.
Challenge: 51km, 79m ascent, 98m descent
Start the day on the Mont Glonne with a great view of the Loire. Set off to the fortified Champtoceaux via calm roads and tracks, and have a go at a climb for a magnificent panorama. Here, in the department Loire-Atlantique you already begin to experience the influence of the Atlantic. The Muscadet vineyards on the islands and the fields with vegetables provide a variation in landscape. After Mauves-sur-Loire you notice the outlines of Nantes, the biggest and maybe the most attractive town on the Loire.
Challenge: 56km, 40m ascent, 52m descent
Surprising works of art at unusual places enliven the start of this trip along the mouth of the Loire. After Le Pellerin the Martinière canal is your guide. You cycle via small, quiet roads through landscapes belonging to the mouth of a big river: broad swampy areas and vast forelands. From Paimboeuf you follow a part of the coastal route ‘Velodyssey’ and you more and more notice the strong influence of tides and currents on the Loire. The end is in sight: St-Brevin, a lively seaside resort on the Atlantic.
Challenge: 58km, flat
Breakfast marks the end of the trip. You travel back to Saumur by train. You can leave your rental bike.
All accommodations are carefully selected because of their location, atmosphere and/or unique services.
We choose comfortable 2*/3* hotels or B&Bs where all rooms have private en-suite bathroom and every morning breakfast are included.
For more comfort, when it's possible we can upgrade the hotels with 3/4 * category (supplement applied).
The hotel is ideally located opposite the train station, on the right bank of the Loire, and a 10-minute walk from the city center. Welcoming, modern and warm, with a comfortable bed and a functional bathroom, our rooms offer everything you need for a pleasant stay.
In the middle of the Loire Valley, discover Angers, a cosmopolitan and cultural city. The hotel is located 5 min walk from the city center of Angers, Le Progrès offres you a pleasant and comfortable stay in a family atmosphere. Near the hotel you will find everything that makes the attractiveness of a city.
Located some 20 m from the Loire, the Promenade and the House of "Julien Gracq", we will welcome you in our Bed&Breakfast situated in the small town of Saint Florent le Vieil, rich of history.
The Amiral Hotel, a 3-star establishment located in the heart of the historic and cultural centre of Nantes, a stone's throw from Graslin theatre, the shops and the most popular restaurants, is the perfect place to enjoy a break.
The hotel Le Petit Trianon is situated near the sea and the beach, even as the city centre, located in Saint Brévin les Pins. It offers a privileged location
Departure any day fo the week from April to October.
The international Paris airports Charles de Gaulle in the north and Orly in the south are served by a large number of scheduled and low cost airlines.They are connected with Paris by metro and bus services. From Paris you can take a train to Saumur, see below.
Also, possibility of arrival in Nantes Airport or Rennes Airport.
Arrival in Saumur
You can get to Saumur by train. For time tables and further information look at the website of the SNCF or TER-SNCF
Departure from Saint-Nazaire
On the end of your trip you can take a train from Saint-Nazaire. For time tables and further information look at the website of the SNCF or TER-SNCF
From Paris to Saumur (approx. 3h10 - 325 km/202 mi). Acces to driving routes see the website ViaMichelin.
Parking informations on request
HYBRID RENTAL BIKE
VELO DE VILLE Trekking A200, 24 Speed
The bikes come with pannier, handlebar bag, spare tube, tools, pump, helmet and lock
ELECTRIC BIKE RENTAL
VELO DE VILLE CEB 400 Belt
The bikes come with pannier, handebar bag, spare tube, tools, pump, helmet and lock
GPS tracks are available on request