France's largest river, the Loire, can now be cycled along a 3,600km cycle route that forms part of the European Cycle Route 6, a route stretching from the Atlantic to the Black Sea. It's an easy cycle route that's accessible to everyone, especially families, and it passes through some magnificent panoramas as it follows the river.
In Loire-Atlantique, the route starts around Loireauxence and ends at the Saint-Nazaire estuary, where the Loire flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
To the east of the route, you will discover the Pays d'Ancenis and its vineyards: in a peaceful setting, the royal river flows through historic villages (such as Oudon and its medieval castle) and Le Cellier. The Loire then flows through the Cité des Ducs de Bretagne, Nantes: the city is very welcoming to cyclists with its 586km of cycle lanes in the Nantes metropolitan area.
On the outskirts of the city, the Loire à Vélo route is shared with that of la Vélodyssée on a route jallononé de marais et de bocages qui vous attend autour du canal de la Martinière. Enjoy the bucolic atmosphere as you make your way to Paimboeuf, a seaside town steeped in history.
Derniétape de la Loire à Vélo, le tronçon de Paimboeuf à Saint-Nazaire vous plonge progressivement dans l'atmosphère balnéaire de l'océan Atlantique.