Loire Valley to the Atlantic Coast

Get acquainted and say hello to this lovely city.

Time to set off on your adventure! Following the River Cher, a tributary of the Loire, you will reach Villandry Palace which is not worth a miss. Full of culture and history, there are also terraced gardens to be seen. Be enchanted by the shady footpaths, flower-covered bowers, fountains, and the amazingly organised vegetable gardens. As you head a few more kilometres you will swap the bank of the Cher for the bank of the Loire, where the beautiful castle Langeais awaits you. You’ll have the chance to go to the top of the tower (now used for military purposes) where you can enjoy views of the river and all the surrounding areas. Before reaching Chinon you will pass quaint villages and side roads. Chinon has an impressive castle complex to impress you.

Time to part ways with the medieval city of Chinon and follow the river Vienne to Candes-St.Martin. Here you can go by foot to the highest point of the village, where you can see the confluence of both rivers Vienne and Loire. There’s then one more treasure to be seen before arriving Saumur, which is the mystic rock houses of Souzey. When you arrive in Saumur there is but another panoramic view to visit from the Samur Palace.

Travel a few kilometres to the southern shores of the Loire and find yourself in the vineyards which you’ll pass through on gentle hills. Afterwards you’ll be back on the coast heading through quiet, medieval villages to your home for the night of Angers. This university cite is located at the Maine and has a friendly and buzzing atmosphere.

Angers is on the River Maine, which is the last major tributary of the Loire River before the Atlantic. You will go along the Maine until it joins with the Loire at La Pointe-Bouchemaine. Follow the foot of the slate-granite massif until you reach Savennières which is home to the oldest church in the region. Some of the most popular wines from the Loire-Valley are grown here. Try some fruity or dry white wines at one of the vintners. From La Poissonnière head via dykes with amazing views of the river until you reach the dainty town of Saint-Florent-le-Vieil.

Today offers another day along the Loire River with ever-changing scenery. It’s time to have your first glimpse of Brittany where the buildings transform into a vision of slate and granite rocks up until you reach Nantes. You’ll switch sides of the river a few times and will come across a few short gradients but it’s worth it for the stunning views you will see. Accompany the Loire all the way to the centre of Nantes, the historic capital of Brittany. The Atlantic lives some 70km away from this city but you can feel its influence already here.

Departure from Saint-Nazaire or spend extra nights in the surrounding region.

Arrival: Tours

Departure: Saint-Nazaire

Nearest arrival airport(s): Nantes

Nearest departure airport(s): Nantes

We also recommend travelling by train to all of our cycling holiday starting and departure points. We can help you plan your journey to Tours by rail. Car parking is available on all tours at the first hotel or a nearby public parking location. Full details are available on request.

Please do not book travel until an official invoice confirms the cycling holiday.