Across the four departments of Indre-et-Loire (37), Loir-et-Cher (41), Loiret (45) and Maine-et-Loire (49), the Loire Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cities . , villages and above all, of course, its admirable castles.
A tourism mecca if ever there was one, you can explore this part of France at your own pace and according to your wishes, as the heritage is exceptional. Experiences include, for example, connecting the two ends of the Loire Valley on an electric bike. Leave Orléans and arrive a few days later in Angers; 250 km of quietly following the Loire between two visits to chateaux and nights spent in campsites and hotels according to your preferences…
Day 1: Orléans – Blois (65 km)
What better way to start your journey through the Loire Valley than from Orléans? What was for a long time in the Middle Ages one of the three richest cities in France (along with Rouen and Paris), has its form and its history linked to Joan of Arc, but also to the Capetian kings. Opportunity to then visit the city and especially the beautiful Sainte-Croix Cathedral and go in search of…
Then you just have to leave the city and get on the EuroVelo 6, which is this bike path that some call “Atlantic – Black Sea” because it connects Nantes with the Romanian city of Constanta on the Black Sea. All this on 4,450 km, which leads, among other things, along the banks of the Loire between Angers and Orléans.
But for this first stage, about fifty kilometers will be enough to reach what remains one of the most beautiful castles in the region: Chambord, majestic with its gardens and forests. And right next door, if you feel like it, the Château de Cheverny is also waiting for you. For the record, it was he who inspired designer Hergé for the Moulinsart of the Tintin albums.
Day 2: Blois – Excursions (60 km)
Blois is a bit like Orléans. The city also has a royal past, as King Louis XII. here at that time he established his court and made it his official residence. The castle, walls and several old houses in the center deserve our attention.
We then cycle towards Tours, with a quick stop on the way at two more gems: the châteaux of Chaumont-sur-Loire and Amboise. All this before a stop in Tours or even just before in Vouvray, famous for its castle, troglodyte dwellings and of course wine cellars.
Day 3 and 4: Excursions – Saumur (75 km)
Although the journey between the two cities is not long, it will take two days to explore this part of the Loire because the historical and cultural heritage is so important.
The first is Tours, a pleasant city with very well-preserved monuments and old quarters. Then, of course, a whole series of castles that you can choose to visit.
In a few kilometers you will come across Villandry, the castle of Langeais, the unmissable Azay-le-Rideau, the castle of Ussé, to name only the most famous. All this with the addition of the Loire-Anjou-Tourraine Regional Natural Park, the impressive Royal Abbey of Fontevraud and the town of Candes-Saint-Martin listed among the “most beautiful villages in France” available for further discovery. An extensive program…
Day 5: Saumur – Angers (50 km)
Finally, the last step to the beautiful city of Angers and its castle, which houses the famous tapestry of the Apocalypse. The possibility of getting a little lost on the way in the Angevin countryside, between the “Renaissance fortress” of Brissac-Quincé and the village of Béhuard with its narrow streets and old houses built on an island in the Loire near Angers.
A few tips for bike preparation
The advantage of riding an e-bike, in addition to being less tiring, is that you can take a lot of weight with you both in luggage and in combination with a trailer and a child if you plan to travel as a family. And since the terrain of the Loire Valley is rather flat, the journey will be even easier.
So no problem, if you plan to camp, bring gear, something to prepare food, rain gear even in the summer just in case, some repair tools, plus other things you wouldn’t take in other conditions or with a different type of frame. And to carry it all, think of suitable (and waterproof) panniers to make your life even easier, especially if you distribute your load well.
Finally, if you want to travel with peace of mind, be able to find a route, prepare an itinerary, find accommodation, etc., do not forget these applications or GPS, which have become companions of many cycle tourists today. Especially since to recharge all of this, there are now systems directly attached to bicycles that allow you to charge or power your devices using pedaling or even solar power. What more… ?