France Bike, your partner for cycling holidays in France recommends this bike vacation through this less known region along the Loire River. On daily bike tours you'll discover varied landscapes, the impressive estuary mouth and finally the Atlantic coast with the famous Salines of Guérande and the salt marshes. Dreamy villages, little towns and elegant and historic cities like Angers and Nantes will certainly astonish you. At the end of the tour you finally 'take the plunge' into the Atlantic Ocean at Le Croisic.
Day 1: Arrival in Angers
Angers is called ‘black town’ because of its schist houses. Once a totally preserved castle, in its museum you will see the world famous tapestry ‘Apocalypse of Angers’ (14th century).
Day 2: Angers > St.-Florent-le-Vieil or Ancenis, ~50 km/65 km
From the heart of the vineyards of Anjou you will follow the slopes of the Loire River to Aubance and Layon. Continue along the banks of the Loire until you come to Chalonnes, where Loire and Layon run together. And finally you will arrive in St.-Florent-le-Vieil, where you’ll spend the night.
Day 3: St.-Florent-le-Vieil or Ancenis > Nantes, ~40/55 km
Continue along the Loire river banks where you can enjoy the different natural landscapes and observe the wild animals and birds. Enjoy a peaceful ride until Champtoceaux, in its magnificent setting marking the boundary between Anjou and Brittany. Proceed to Nantes: a very dynamic city offering a large choice of visits and where you can enjoy a sight-seeing through the numerous pedestrian streets.
Day 4: Nantes > Saint Brévin, ~58 km
Leave the city via a small boat to cross the river and continue on the cycling path of ‘Loire à vélo’. Further on, you will follow a narrow canal for a peaceful moment along marshlands and countryside to finish at the estuary of the Loire river in St Brevin les Pins: a seaside resort which offer a large sandy beach surrounded by sand dunes and Pine trees forest. This is an ideal place to relax after long day biking.
Day 5: Saint Brévin > Le Croisic, ~53 km
From the estuary of the River Loire you will ride to the wild sea coast of Le Croisic. The opportunity to discover the famous salterns of the medieval town of Guérande should not be missed.
Day 6 : Day at leisure or excursion to Le Pouliguen and La Baule, ~ 55 km
Discover the pretty village of Le Croisic and its coves, beaches and rocky waterfalls scattered along the coastal path. You can also take an excursion to Le Pouliguen, a pretty seaside resort where you can enjoy a stroll, and then to one of the largest bays in Europe, between La Baule and Pornichet. You can also cycle past pretty villas nestling in the pine trees.
Day 7: Departure
You’ll get back to Angers individually by train.
