Table of Contents

Map key

Overview map

Introduction

Background

The route

Natural environment

Preparation

Getting there and back

Navigation

Accommodation

Food and drink

Amenities and services

What to take

Safety and emergencies

About this guide

The Loire Cycle Route

Prologue Getting to the start

Upper Loire

Stage 1 Gerbier de Jonc to Goudet

Stage 2 Goudet to Le Puy-en-Velay

Stage 3 Le Puy-en-Velay to Retournac

Stage 4 Retournac to Aurec-sur-Loire

Stage 5 Aurec-sur-Loire to Feurs

Stage 6 Feurs to Roanne

Stage 7 Roanne to Digoin

Middle Loire

Stage 8 Digoin to Bourbon-Lancy

Stage 9 Bourbon-Lancy to Decize

Stage 10 Decize to Nevers

Stage 11 Nevers to La Charité-sur-Loire

Stage 12 La Charité-sur-Loire to Sancerre

Stage 13 Sancerre to Briare

Stage 14 Briare to Sully-sur-Loire

Stage 15 Sully-sur-Loire to Orléans

Lower Loire

Stage 16 Orléans to Beaugency

Stage 17 Beaugency to Blois

Stage 18 Blois to Amboise

Stage 19 Amboise to Tours

Stage 20 Tours to Bréhémont

Stage 21 Bréhémont to Saumur

Stage 22 Saumur to Angers

Stage 23 Angers to Montjean-sur-Loire

Stage 24 Montjean-sur-Loire to Ancenis

Stage 25 Ancenis to Nantes

Stage 26 Nantes to St Brevin-les-Pins (St Nazaire)

Appendix A Stage summary table

Appendix B Facilities summary table

Appendix C Tourist information offices

Appendix D Youth hostels and gîtes d'étape

Appendix E Useful contacts

Appendix F Language glossary

About the Author

This guide describes a 1052km cycle route that starts at the source of the Loire in the Massif Central mountains of central France and finishes at the Atlantic opposite St Nazaire. It descends past extinct volcanoes, crater lakes and deep gorges before joining EuroVelo route 6 and the fully waymarked Loire a Velo, Frances most popular cycle trail. Following the river downstream in 26 stages, the route is generally downhill or level often on dedicated traffic-free cycle tracks. Packed with a wealth of useful information - from practical planning advice to fascinating insights about the river and its surroundings - the guidebook features detailed route descriptions and informative mapping. Details of facilities and places to stay, and a French glossary are included. The route goes through the heart of France as the Loire becomes the royal river, bounded by extravagant chateaux, fields of Charolais cattle and vineyards. It passes through historic cities like Orleans and Tours, continuing past Angers and Frances fourth largest city Nantes.