From the castles of the Loire to the coast

Orléans is located at the northernmost point of the course of the Loire River and is one of the oldest cities in France. After arriving for your bike tour to the Atlantic Ocean, there will certainly be time to stroll through the city center. Orléans is best known for Joan of Arc, the legendary Maid of Orléans, who is revered as a national heroine in France to this day.

At the start of your bike tour from Orléans to the Atlantic Ocean, a great day awaits you: Excellently signposted, largely flat and with a great path quality, the Loire Cycle Route takes you through the idyllic landscape. You follow the course of the Loire to Blois. On the way you can discover numerous stately villas and magnificent castles. Probably the most impressive castle of the stage awaits you in the city center of your today's stage destination.

Leave Blois, the city of kings, behind and cycle through the beautiful countryside with fascinating views. In Amboise you should definitely take a break and visit the castle, which was home to five kings. At the Château du Clos Lucé, follow in the footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci, who spent the last three years of his life here. Then, on the way to Tours, you'll pass the famous wine-growing region of Vouvray and cycle through tranquil villages with numerous wineries.

You will experience two more magnificent castles on today's stage of your bike tour from Orléans to the Atlantic Ocean. You follow the Cher River and soon reach Villandry Castle. Stroll through the six magnificently landscaped gardens - one more beautiful than the other. Continuing along the banks of the Loire River, you will reach Langeais and thus the second castle of today. From the fortified tower you will enjoy the magnificent view over the river and the surrounding countryside. After this relaxing break, you will roll comfortably to Chinon.

The bike tour from Orléans to the Atlantic Ocean takes you today first to Montsoreau. It is one of the most beautiful villages in France, not only because of its magnificent castle built of tufa stone and the flower-filled village alleys. You pass Souzay-Champigny, famous for its cave dwellings, and soon reach Saumur - the Pearl of Anjou. From the town's chateau, you will have a beautiful view of the medieval old town and the Loire Valley. In the evening, treat yourself to a glass of the region's excellent red wines!

Through the rolling hills of the vineyards of Anjou, the Loire Cycle Route runs along the southern bank of the river. This picturesque scenery accompanies you for quite a distance. It passes castle ruins, Romanesque churches and picturesque medieval villages. You will reach Saint-Mathurin-sur-Loire. Visit here the Loire Odyssey - a museum and information center dedicated to the Loire. The castle of your today's stage destination - Angers - impresses not only with 17 towers, it also houses a real cultural treasure: the largest tapestry in Europe!

Spend some more time in the lively university town before you get back in the saddle. In Savennières, you should not miss a visit to a winemaker. This is where France's best and most expensive white wines are made from the Chenin Blanc grape. Also worth seeing is the village of Béhuard, located on an island. In the old town of St.-Florent-le-Vieil, high above the river, a great vantage point beckons.

Consistently changing landscapes characterize today's stage of your bike tour from Orléans to the Atlantic. Behind St. Florent, the valley narrows and the river forces its way through slate and granite rocks. Several times you will change the Loire bank, several times you will have to cope with smaller ascents. But every ascent also gives you fantastic views. Nantes, the historic capital of Brittany, will impress you with its very special flair. Let yourself be carried away by the colorful hustle and bustle in the alleys.

Following the ever-widening river, you cycle through the tranquil countryside and numerous small villages. Nestled between the mouth of the Loire and the Atlantic Ocean is the attractive seaside resort of Saint-Brevin-les-Pins. Stroll along the long sandy beaches or enjoy cooling off in the sea. Afterwards, a shared transfer will take you across the impressive but also busy bridge to Saint-Nazaire. Visit the submarine bunker, which is also passable by bike.

Your bike cycle tour now ends at the Atlantic Ocean after breakfast. You can be proud of yourself, after all, you have explored about half of the longest French river by bicycle!