La Loire à vélo from Angers to Nantes
Day 1
53 km
Angers → Saint-Florent-le-Vieil
Leaving Angers, you quickly reach Bouchemaine, where the Maine flows into the Loire. From here, the river becomes your steady guide, leading you along towpaths and poplar-lined country lanes.
Make a detour to Béhuard, a tiny island village designated a “Petite Cité de Caractère”, before reaching La Possonnière, a former river port. Here, a ride on a traditional flat-bottomed boat reconnects you with the gentle rhythm of the Loire.
Further on, Chalonnes-sur-Loire welcomes you at the confluence with the Layon. This riverside town invites a pause—perhaps a glass of local wine as you gaze at the water.
The day ends in Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, a fortified village perched on a hilltop. A place of deep history and memory, it offers sweeping views to close your day with grandeur.
Day 2
57 km
Saint-Florent-le-Vieil → Nantes
Continue your journey toward Ancenis, once an island town, now crowned by its thousand-year-old castle. The Loire widens, and vineyards mingle with marshlands. Across from Champtoceaux, Oudon’s medieval tower watches over the valley. After crossing the river, you arrive in Champtoceaux, where the ruins include the spectacular suspended windmill.
The ride to Mauves-sur-Loire follows the river’s peaceful rhythm. A lattice-metal bridge brings you to the tranquil gardens of the Château de la Droitière.
Finally, you enter Nantes via its riverfront. The Machines of the Isle, the elegant Passage Pommeraye, and the banks of the Erdre await—an inspiring finale to your Loire cycling adventure.