Cycling Through France’s Atlantic Loire Valley: A Complete Guide To The Region’s Stunning Bike Routes, Local Culture, And Anniversary Celebrations For 2025-26

Thursday, July 31, 2025

The Atlantic Loire Valley (Pays de la Loire), located successful nan occidental region of France, is group to go nan go-to destination for cycling enthusiasts successful 2025 and 2026. A operation of rich | culture, history, and unparalleled earthy beauty, this area is cleanable for riders of each levels. The region boasts complete 3,400 km of signposted, landscaped rhythm paths, including six awesome routes that are group to beryllium enhanced and celebrated successful nan coming years. Whether you’re cycling done nan vineyards of Anjou aliases exploring nan chaotic riverbanks of nan Loire, this region offers an unforgettable acquisition for cyclists.

Cycling successful nan Atlantic Loire Valley is much than conscionable a sport; it is simply a travel done history, landscapes, and gastronomy. From well-established routes to new, breathtaking greenways, nan region is continuously investing successful improving its cycling infrastructure to connection nan champion imaginable acquisition for some casual riders and knowledgeable cyclists.

In 2025 and 2026, this region will connection cyclists everything from challenging paths done mountainous terrain to serene rides by scenic riversides. As nan region celebrates nan anniversaries of cardinal cycling routes and opens caller sections, it is clear that nan Atlantic Loire Valley is positioning itself arsenic 1 of Europe’s astir important cycling destinations.

Key Highlights of nan Atlantic Loire Valley Cycling Experience

• Over 3,400 km of signposted cycling routes
• Six awesome rhythm routes including Loire à Vélo, Vélodyssée, Vélo Francette, and more
• Improved accommodation and motorcycle services pinch complete 700 ‘Accueil Vélo’ labelled accommodations
• Cycling-focused events, for illustration nan Nature Is Bike Gravel Festival successful Angers
• Historic UNESCO sites, charming towns, and spectacular earthy landscapes

Six Major Cycling Routes Across nan Atlantic Loire Valley

1. Loire à Vélo – 20th Anniversary (Anjou / Loire-Atlantique)

Celebrating 2 decades of cycling excellence, Loire à Vélo is nan crown jewel of nan region’s cycling routes. This 900 km way runs from nan metropolis of Nevers to nan Atlantic coast, pursuing nan iconic Loire River. The way is portion of EuroVelo 6 and is cleanable for cyclists wanting to acquisition nan beauty of France’s past awesome chaotic river. Along nan way, cyclists tin research historical towns, majestic châteaux, and nan celebrated vineyards of nan Loire. The Loire à Vélo way is known for its divers scenery, from rolling hills to sandy riverbanks.

Cyclists tin besides cod stamps successful their Loire à Vélo passport, a awesome souvenir of their adventure. With complete 700 partner establishments, cyclists person entree to motorcycle hire, repairs, and transport, ensuring a hassle-free journey.

2. Vélo Francette – 10th Anniversary (Mayenne / Anjou)

The Vélo Francette is simply a 600 km way connecting Normandy pinch La Rochelle. For its 10th day successful 2025, it will beryllium an moreover much appealing action for those seeking a peaceful, countryside cycling experience. From nan flower-filled lockkeeper houses on nan River Mayenne to nan historical charm of Angers, this way offers a relaxed and scenic experience. Cyclists tin extremity by majestic landmarks for illustration nan UNESCO-recognized Apocalypse tapestry successful Angers aliases bask nan laid-back charm of Saumur.

3. Vélobuissonnière (Sarthe)

Sarthe’s cycling routes are being transformed pinch nan creation of greenways from aged railway lines. The Vélobuissonnière way will yet agelong 250 km, connecting Alençon to Saumur. This year, caller sections betwixt La Suze-sur-Sarthe and La Flèche were opened, offering cyclists smooth, safe paths done picturesque landscapes, including nan Alpes Mancelles, a UNESCO Global Geopark. The caller paths characteristic biology considerations, specified arsenic compacted soil surfaces and strategically placed work kiosks for cyclists’ convenience.

4. Régalante (Loire-Atlantique)

The Régalante is simply a 275 km way linking nan Mont-Saint-Michel to Nantes, designed for cyclists who bask some history and gastronomy. This comparatively level way is perfect for family tours, passing done nan charming countryside of nan Loire-Atlantique region. Along nan way, cyclists will brushwood historical towns, windmills, abbeys, and opportunities to sensation location specialties for illustration galettes (Breton pancakes).

5. Vélidéale (Loire-Atlantique / Vendée)

The Vélidéale is simply a caller cycling way that runs from Saint-Nazaire to Mortagne-sur-Sèvre. It offers 5 stages done nan scenic Brière marshes, followed by a travel done Nantes, a hub for creation and culture, and nan historical Château de Tiffauges. The way is designed to connection a cleanable blend of taste exploration, nature, and good wine, arsenic cyclists walk done nan vineyards of Pays Nantais.

6. Vélodyssée – Certified EuroVelo 6 (Loire-Atlantique / Vendée)

The Vélodyssée, stretching complete 1,300 km from Brittany to nan Basque Coast, is 1 of Europe’s longest and astir scenic routes. Now certified arsenic portion of EuroVelo 6, nan Vélodyssée offers a melodramatic Atlantic backdrop. Recently improved pinch soft surfaces and amended signage, nan way boasts 76% exclusive cycling paths. Cyclists tin bask nan coastline, including nan vibrant municipality of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, known for its sardine industry, and nan region’s champion strawberries successful Pornic.

Investment successful Cycling Infrastructure

The Atlantic Loire Valley has importantly enhanced its cycling infrastructure complete nan past fewer years, and this committedness continues. Over 600 accommodations now characteristic nan ‘Accueil Vélo’ label, which ensures that cyclists person specialized services, including motorcycle rentals, repairs, and luggage transfers. These accommodations are strategically located on cycling routes, offering easy entree to cyclists arsenic they travel done nan valley.

Further investments are being made successful accommodation specified arsenic work areas, remainder stops, and motorcycle carrier services, ensuring that cyclists person everything they request for a comfortable and enjoyable experience. The summation of caller greenways, smoother paths, and amended signage each lend to making nan region 1 of Europe’s apical cycling destinations.

Cycling Events successful nan Atlantic Loire Valley

The Atlantic Loire Valley is besides location to a assortment of cycling events that pull riders from astir nan world. The Nature Is Bike Gravel Festival, group to return successful 2026, is 1 of nan astir anticipated cycling events successful nan region. Hosted successful Angers, this show celebrates gravel biking, nature, and section food. Participants tin research nan 1,000 km of bikepacking gravel trails successful Anjou, which return cyclists done forests, wetlands, and riverside paths.

Another celebrated arena is nan ‘Angers Vélo Guinguettes’ motorcycle ride, a societal arena wherever cyclists tin bask nan scenic routes while stopping astatine riverside cafés known arsenic guinguettes. This friends thrust promises fun, relaxation, and an opportunity to acquisition nan section culture.

Conclusion: The Future of Cycling successful nan Atlantic Loire Valley

The Atlantic Loire Valley is simply a cycling paradise, offering a divers scope of routes, modern services, and an inviting ambiance for cyclists. Whether you’re exploring nan UNESCO World Heritage Loire Valley, passing done charming villages, aliases sampling section wines and delicacies, cycling present is much than conscionable a athletics – it’s an immersive taste experience.

In 2025 and 2026, this region will undoubtedly proceed to turn arsenic a apical cycling destination, pinch caller trails, enhanced services, and breathtaking events that committedness to pull cyclists from astir nan globe. With its divers landscapes, historical sites, and committedness to sustainability, nan Atlantic Loire Valley is fresh to go nan eventual cycling destination for escapade seekers and quality lovers alike.