©Vallee Du Loir A Velo Large|David Darrault

The Loir Valley by bikethe full itinerary

Loir Valley by bike

The Loir Valley by bike, a 100% authentic getaway!

Saddle up for 320km of gentle cycling along the Loir!
Starting at the source of the river at Saint-Eman, near Chartres, head for Vendôme and then Angers, on the banks of the Loire.

The V47 promises a chic, bucolic route for cyclists with a penchant for dreaming, water-based itineraries for cyclists with a penchant for loafing, epicurean rides for cyclists with a sweet tooth and picturesque paths for cyclists with a curiosity!

Drive through Eure-et-Loir and Loir-et-Cher

At the source of the Loir at Saint-Eman, you can stop off at the wash-house. Then on to Illiers-Combray and its Pré Catelan garden. Arrive in Bonneval, a charming little medieval town built around the Loir, earning it the nickname of the Little Venice of Beauce.

In Châteaudun, you can see the red-roofed houses. Don’t miss the castle before heading back to the village of Cloyes-les-Trois-Rivières. Carry on peacefully to Morée and Fréteval.

In Vendôme, make a diversion to the grounds of the Bourbon-Vendôme château, where you’ll be treated to a magnificent panorama! Then head on to Montoire-sur-Loir and lose yourself in the narrow streets of Trôo, a small troglodyte town! “Mignonne, allons voir si la Rose…” (Let’s go and see if the Rose…) is the poetry of Ronsard at his birthplace in Couture-sur-Loir.

©Vallee Du Loir A Velo David Darrault Comite Ditineraire Vallee Du Loir A Velo 4 Large|David Darrault

©Vallee Du Loir A Velo David Darrault Comite Ditineraire Vallee Du Loir A Velo 3 Large|David Darrault

©Vallee Du Loir A Velo David Darrault Comite Ditineraire Vallee Du Loir A Velo 6 Large|David Darrault

Stroll through Sarthe and Ajou

At La Chartre-sur-le-Loir, opt for a walking tour of this antiques village. Or if you prefer to stay on your trusty bike, wind your way through the Jasnières and Coteaux du Loir vineyards. In Montval-sur-Loir, discover the sights of the Rotonde ferroviaire and the Musée Cafetières et Compagnie. What would the Loir Valley be without its châteaux? After the château at Châteaudun, it’s at Le Lude that you’ll find the first of the Loire châteaux to the north of the valley!

You can then head back to La Flèche in complete peace of mind on the specially-designed greenway! On arrival, treat yourself to a refreshing break at the Lacs de la Monnerie!

A few kilometres further on, you’ll come across another sumptuous château, at Durtal. This will open the doors to the Anjou region, with Lézigné and Villevêque in the foreground. Here, enjoy the contemporary art along the Loir with the open-air museum of contemporary art! Your destination is Angers! The city of a thousand inspirations will delight you with its famous Apocalypse tapestry, its castle and its Saint-Maurice cathedral!

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Possible interconnections

Ideally located in the heart of the Great West, the Loir Valley by bike is connected to the major itineraries: Saint Jacques à Vélo, la Véloscénie, a VéloFrancette, La Vélobuissonnière and the Loire by bike!

200 km with the Vélobuissonnière and the Loire à vélo:

Start in La Flèche and cycle to Angers via the Loir valley. On arrival, cycle up the Loire to Saumur via La Loire à vélo. And thanks to La Vélobuissonnière, you can return to your starting point and finish in peace on the Baugé-en-Anjou-La Flèche greenway.

©Vallee Du Loir Logo Rvb

©V44 Logo Macaron 1 1

400 km, between the Loir and the Loire by bike!

We suggest you start in Angers on the Loire à vélo and cycle 150km to Tours. Then cycle a few kilometres along the Saint Jacques à vélo to Montoire-sur-Loir (60km), before returning to the route via the Vallée du Loir à vélo (180km).

©Logo Saint Jacques A Velo

©Vallee Du Loir Logo Rvb

700 km on the junction between the Véloscénie and the Vélofrancette

Start on the Véloscénie at Domfront en Poiraie and after 180 km join Angers on the Vélofancette. You’re now on the Loir Valley cycle route, which you can follow for 320 km all the way to Iliers-Combray! Now it’s time to get back to your starting point by cycling 220 km along the Véloscénie!

500 km, between the Véloscénie, the Vélobuissonière and the Loir Valley by bike

From Illiers-Combray, cycle 125 km to Alençon on the Véloscénie. Then head south along the Vélobuissonière to reach La Flèche after 175 km. From here, return to your starting point via the Loir valley (200km)!

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