Discover the magic of Western France on this journey that takes you from the historic heart of Angers to the wild beauty of the Atlantic Ocean. Perfect for cyclists of all levels, this self-guided bike tour in France follows the iconic Loire à Vélo route, passing through rolling vineyards, medieval towns, scenic riverbanks, and protected natural parks. Explore legendary wine regions like Savennières and the Anjou vineyards, visit UNESCO-listed fortresses like Château d’Angers, and uncover hidden gems like the salt marshes of Guérande. Ride through the city of Nantes, wind along the Loire River, and finish your adventure on the beaches of Saint-Brévin-les-Pins and Le Croisic. This tour blending French history, wine, gastronomy, and coastal charm can be enjoyed on its own or can be combined with our other tours in this beautiful region of France, famous for its world-class wines. Add on Orléans to Tours and Tours to Angers, and you will have an epic vacation in this valley of the Kings and Queens. Day 1: Arrival in Angers Welcome to Angers, a charming riverside city in the heart of the historic Anjou region. After checking into your hotel, take a stroll through its cobbled streets, lined with half-timbered houses and lively squares. Be sure to visit the Château d’Angers, a massive fortress with 17 round towers built from black slate and white limestone. Inside, discover the Apocalypse Tapestry, a 14th-century masterpiece and the largest medieval tapestry in the world, stretching over 100 meters in length. This UNESCO-protected artwork vividly illustrates the Book of Revelation and is a true jewel of medieval art. As the sun sets, enjoy a glass of local wine on a terrace in Place du Ralliement, soaking in the relaxed energy of this cultural hub. Day 2: Angers – Le Mesnil-en-Vallée or Ancenis, 26 or 42 mi (42 or 67 km) Begin your journey through the heart of the Anjou vineyards, including the Coteaux de la Loire and Coteaux de l'Aubance. Make a stop in Savennières, renowned for its exceptional dry white wines. Continue your ride onto the Île de Chalonnes, the largest inhabited river island in Europe, before reaching the village of Saint-Florent-le-Vieil or the riverside town of Ancenis. Day 3: Le Mesnil-en-Vallée or Ancenis – Nantes, 25 or 40 mi (40 or 64 km) Follow the Loire’s riverbanks through peaceful natural landscapes, home to abundant birds and wildlife. Enjoy scenic cycling to Champtoceaux, a site overlooking the valley and marking the historical border between Anjou and Brittany. Continue on to Nantes, a vibrant and artistic city with pedestrian streets, historic architecture, and lively riverfront areas to explore. Day 4: Nantes – Saint-Brévin-les-Pins, 40 mi (65 km) Leave Nantes by crossing the river on a small ferry and follow the Loire à Vélo paths towards the Atlantic. Ride along canals, marshlands, and quiet countryside before reaching the river’s estuary at Saint-Brévin-les-Pins. This seaside resort offers wide sandy beaches, pine forests, and dunes, the perfect place to unwind after a day of cycling. Day 5: Saint-Brévin – Le Croisic + Bus transfer, 35 mi (57 km) Start with a short bus transfer to safely cross the Saint-Nazaire Bridge. From there, cycle through the salt marshes of Guérande, a beautifully preserved medieval town surrounded by ramparts and rich in history. Continue along the dramatic wild coastline before arriving in Le Croisic, a picturesque fishing port and charming coastal village. Day 6: Le Croisic or Excursion to Le Pouliguen & La Baule, 34 mi (55 km) Enjoy the day at leisure in Le Croisic, exploring its coves, fishing harbor, beaches, and rugged coastline. Alternatively, cycle to the nearby seaside town of Le Pouliguen and continue towards the famous bay of La Baule–Pornichet, one of the largest in Europe. Pass elegant villas nestled among pine trees and enjoy a relaxing coastal atmosphere. Day 7: Departure from Le Croisic If you are looking for a longer journey, it is possible to combine this tour with our other Loire Valley Tours: Loire Valley: Tours to Angers and Loire Valley: Orléans to Tours. Please contact us for details. Tours to Angers route includes Villandry with its famous gardens, a Renaissance château in Azay Le Rideau, the 15th château in Langeais, the ‘Sleeping Beauty’ château in Ussé, the abbey of Fontevraud, the vineyards of Anjou, and the château in Angers. The Orléans to Tours Loire Valley bike tour includes the historic town of Orléans, the flowered city of Beaugency, the Château of Chambord, the Château of Blois, the Château of Chaumont, and ‘Clos Luce’. This is an easy self-guided hotel to hotel tour with 4 days of cycling ranging from 20 to 37 miles per day. The terrain is mostly flat with some rolling hills. After all, you are in France! 1/3 of this tour takes place on bike paths. The other 2/3 take place on quiet countryside roads. The closest international airport to your tour start in Angers is Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG). You can take the RER train from CDG airport to Angers St. Laud with one transfer (depending on time of departure) or TGV train with zero transfers (depending on time of departure.) Please note that TGV travel requires advance reservations. You can visit the SNCF website for more information and to book. The climate in the Loire Valley is favorable most of the year, the river often acting as a line of demarcation in France's weather between the northern climate and the southern. The river has a significant effect on the microclimate of the region, adding a few degrees of temperature. The climate can be cool with springtime frost while wine harvest months may have rain. Summers are hot, however, influences from the Atlantic moderate the temperature with a breeze. It is highly recommended to book the extra night with excursion to Le Croisic and extra night there or combining this tour with one of our other Loire Valley tours. Electric bicycles are available upon request. E-bikes are Scott E sub Active with a universal frame, 9 speeds and come equipped with 2 rear panniers, 1 handlebar bag with map holder, 1 repair kit, 1 pump, 1 lock, 1 mileage counter, and helmet. E-bikes have 80 to 100 km of autonomy. It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc. US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov. Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries. Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa. Extra nights available in Angers and St. Brevin. See pricing.
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