I couldn’t travel through France without adding a few cycling trips to my itinerary. After all, France offers some incredible cycling opportunities. These days, my bike is almost always with me. Between La Loire à Vélo and the scenic routes along the Seine River, cycling in France gave me a completely different way to discover the country. The La Loire river bike path was especially beautiful. It led me through peaceful landscapes, quiet roads, and tiny remote villages I probably never would have seen otherwise.
Cycling along the La Loire river bike path
Blois
My base for my first big cycling adventure along La Loire à Vélo was the charming town of Blois. It is located right on the banks of the Loire River. It proved to be the perfect starting point for exploring the famous La Loire River bike path.
I really liked Blois. After a rather disappointing stop in Tours, which, in my opinion, isn’t really worth visiting, Blois was a pleasant surprise. It has wide shopping streets, yet still retains plenty of character with its cobbled lanes, medieval buildings, and historic atmosphere. One of my favourite spots was the colourful staircase featuring a giant Mona Lisa artwork. This gave the town a unique and unexpected touch.
Another great reason to base yourself in Blois is that the town is surrounded by beautiful old French châteaux. From here, you can choose from several cycling routes known as Les Châteaux à Vélo. These routes take you through the Loire Valley countryside and past some of the region’s famous castles.
I only did a short 35 km exploring ride in the afternoon. I saved most of my energy for the longer ride planned for the next day: cycling along La Loire à Vélo all the way to Orléans.
La Loire à Vélo
The La Loire à Vélo is one of France’s most popular cycling routes. It stretches for more than 800 kilometres through the beautiful Loire Valley. If you’re planning your own trip, there’s an excellent map of the La Loire à Vélo route available online (see all routes here).
For my ride, I chose a 70 km section of the La Loire River bike path from Blois to Orléans. And it was absolutely stunning. From peaceful riverside paths and charming villages to vineyards and impressive châteaux, it was everything I had hoped for and more.
The route…
One of the things I loved most about cycling along La Loire à Vélo was the ever-changing scenery. One moment I was riding past golden wheat fields, the next I was surrounded by vibrant red poppies. It’s the perfect way to experience the French countryside and spend a day outdoors.
The route is also full of wildlife. During my ride I spotted several roe deer and plenty of rabbits, making the journey even more enjoyable.
And then there were the bugs! If you’re cycling along the La Loire River bike path, especially near the river, you’re almost guaranteed to be hit in the face by a few insects when you least expect it. Every cyclist knows exactly what I’m talking about!
Despite the occasional bug, nothing compares to the simple joy of cycling on a glorious sunny day through the French countryside. Riding La Loire à Vélo was one of the highlights of my trip. Moreover, the La Loire River bike path is a route I would happily cycle again. Thank you, La Loire à Vélo, for such an unforgettable experience!
Orléans (Orleans)
Once showered and refreshed, it was time to explore Orléans on foot. I had already liked the city as I cycled into it along La Loire à Vélo. Wandering through its streets only confirmed my first impression.
Orléans is closely linked to the story of Joan of Arc (Jeanne d’Arc). She played a decisive role in lifting the Siege of Orléans in 1429 during the Hundred Years’ War. Today, her legacy can be seen throughout Orléans. There are statues, memorials, museums, and street names dedicated to France’s national heroine.
The magnificent Orléans Cathedral was one of the highlights of my visit. Overall, Orléans felt grand, vibrant, and full of life. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring Orléans on foot. However, arriving by bike along La Loire à Vélo made the experience even more memorable. It’s a wonderful city to visit, and an even better one to cycle to.
And so…
And so, it was time to head back.
Cycling from Orléans to Blois the following day was just as enjoyable as the ride out. Along the way, I stopped to catch up with a friend. Before rewarding myself with a well-earned pizza back in Blois.
Completing this section of La Loire à Vélo was incredibly satisfying. It had everything I was hoping for. Beautiful scenery, peaceful cycling, charming villages, and a memorable journey along one of France’s finest bike routes. I couldn’t have asked for a better cycling adventure.
I had originally planned to do more cycling along La Loire à Vélo, especially around Angers and Nantes, but it wasn’t meant to be. Unfortunately, Nantes didn’t quite win me over. Getting in and out of the city by bike felt stressful, and while there were some funky diners and interesting shops, the city itself felt rather dirty and run-down in places.
So instead of continuing further along the La Loire River bike path, I decided to move on and head towards Brittany, as I wrote about in my previous blog. Before leaving the area completely, I made a quick stop in the coastal town of Saint-Nazaire.
Even so, I’ll definitely be back to explore more of La Loire à Vélo. The La Loire River bike path is one of the best cycling routes I’ve ridden in France, and my ride from Blois to Orléans made me want to discover even more of it.
So, what’s next? It’s time to swap the Loire for the Seine! Join me as I cycle along the Seine River, explore Rouen, and visit Versailles. I can’t wait to share the next adventure!
Read here – Cycling the Gardens of Versailles!
(post 101)
