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heading to France in september, to ride the whole length of the Loire.
starting at its source at Mont Gerbier De Jonc and ending in Nantes.
doing it at a slow steady pace over 3 weeks.
just wondering if anyone has done it ?
possibly camping but unsure yet. any input greatly appreciated.
Did a few weeks guiding on group trips in and around blois oooh, 10 years plus ago and subsequently did a very leisurely beetle from Orleans to Tours as my OHs intro to biketourpacking. It’s lovely there, would quite like to get back and do a bit more.
Happy to have brains picked on that stretch, but what springs to mind…
Highlights:
-Countryside just pretty. Classic ‘small french villages’. riverbank riding also glorious on a good day.
-Chateaux are generally cool to see, I’m not sure how worth they are going inside. Chambord best approached from the NW for the proper impression. If going to Cheverny (Marlinspike Hall, great if you read tintin), SW. There’s also a farm nearby that does/did fresh fruit that is very welcome on a hot day. If heading that way I’ll see if i can find it.
-We liked Amboise enough we spent a couple of nights there. Not exactly sure why!
Watch out for:
- You can get big ol’ storms rolling up the river. If it’s a bad one it’s probably just worth finding somewhere to get out of it for a bit.
-We went very light with the plan of eating out or cold every night. It’s probably not the right stretch to do that as outside of the bigger towns choice of both eateries and shops was limited.
I'd just like to say that I'm not at all jealous, you absolute bastard
I’d just like to say that I’m not at all jealous, you absolute bastard
Pretty much my thought when I saw the thread title 😒
Used to guide groups along this
Fabulous route, tres typique of the area. Great wine and make sure you take a dip in the river. Stunning countryside! You won't regret it
Did a fair chunk in the opposite direction in October 2015 - probably one of the best trips I’ve ever done. I thought it was very beautiful and the most authentic ‘French’ feeling holiday, if that makes sense. Stayed in b&b types of places. I’m sure you’ll love it.
RM.
Rode a way along it last year. Very flat, quite pretty, bit boring really. Loads of campsites and services. Wouldn’t bother again, but wouldn’t discourage someone doing it once.
On the Chateau front Chambord is ok but is empty inside (furniture used to travel with the king). Amboise is an underated gem, don't miss da Vinci's last residence.
The city of Tours is not worth any time, I was underwhelmed. Fontevraud l'Abbaye has nice gardens and there's great wildlife between there and Saumur. Angers Chateau has a great tapestry and one of the first ever shopping centres. Nantes is very bike friendly and has some great automata to see.
Try to fit in a finish at St Nazaire and take a look at where the raid happened.
We haven't cycled it, but have spent many summers around the Loire area with bikes.
Chambord is really imposing & impressive, with nice grounds & the stairwells are just cool. Probably the most family orientated château we've seen. The cyclepaths through the surrounding woodland are really nice too.
Château du Clos Lucé enthralled me as a mechanically minded kid, we were there last year & I still like it.
Allow time for wine in Saumur, the vineyards are great.
If you're in Nante, the mechanical museum is a must see IMO.
This
. Very flat, quite pretty, bit boring really
We did with kids by bike when they were young , all between ages 8 and 11.
They keep reminding me how flat and boring it was.
Agree with Tours... Nice medieval quarter, but other than that nothing special.
There are loads of dolmens along the Loire valley if that's your thing.. It is mine.
This one was impressive....
https://maps.app.goo.gl/VgDPTZC778Ysojdi8
Loads more after Saumur.....
Decent cafe run by an English couple at Nevers (he has accom upstairs too)
https://en.cafevelonevers.fr/
I'm interested to see how you're handling logistics Ton, like how are you getting there and back with a bike, as this is something MrsIHN would probably fancy doing.
driving to Portsmouth. leaving car. ferry to Saint Malo. pick up a hire car.
driving to Valence. leave hire car there.
100km uphill ride to start at Mont Gerbier De Jonc.
ride 900km route to Nantes. train to Rennes. finish with a nice half day ride along the Rance to Saint Malo.
all nice and easy mate. done the hire car thing in France twice before. to Bayonne and Perpignon.
I'm very envious of this one ton. Pics and report when you do it. 👌
dave661350Full Member
Decent cafe run by an English couple at Nevers (he has accom upstairs too)
https://en.cafevelonevers.fr//blockquote >
I also recommend this place. As well as good coffee and cake he really helped me out with an inner tube crisis on a Sunday.
One of my best cycling memories was from cycling in the Loire Valley. Came round a corner and was treated to the spectacal of two otters having a tussle in the road. Magic.