The Loire Valley cycle route #1 from Nevers to Orleans
The wildest and most natural part of the Loire Valley
Duration
7 days and 6 nights
Niveau
Leisure
Departure date
From March 11th to October 28th
Type de séjour
Séjour liberté
Type de circuit
Une traversée itinérante
Destination
Les points forts
- The natural reserve "Val de Loire"
- Sancerre and its vineyard
- The Renaissance castle in Sully sur Loire
- The "Loire à vélo" cycling route
The Loire à vélo from the beginning of the itinerary km 0
Starting from Nevers, this trip takes you to Orléans in 5 beautiful cycling days. Discover the wildest parts of the Loire Valley...
Your journey begins in Nevers where you take the opportunity to visit its earthenware district and the Palais Ducal, a 15th and 16th century castle, residence of the counts and then dukes of Nevers.
The next day it’s time to hop on your bike and start your adventure. You’ll cycle to the magnificent banks of the Loire. It is at the start of the route, in Nevers, that the Loire is at its most faithful to what it has always been… a free, untamed, wild river. The route of the “Loire à Vélo” here is also a beautiful nature trail! On its banks you’ll discover the famous Bec d’Allier and the pont-canal du Guétin.
Then, between the lateral canal and the major river bed, a series of floodplains, meanders and unlikely islands herald the Val de Loire nature reserve. Then you climb up to Sancerre, a historic town overlooking the Loire, which is encircled by world-famous vineyards!
You’ll continue on to Briare and its magnificent Pont-canal before entering the UNESCO World Heritage Val de Loire area. This one takes you from the famous Renaissance castle of Sully to the finish of your cycling adventure in Orléans, city of Joan of Arc with its many historical and heritage assets that make it so famous.
Itinéraire
Leisure From NEVERS to LA CHARITE SUR LOIRE 47km 55m 
From Nevers, start your itinerary at kilometer zero of the Loire à Vélo, then follow the Canal Latéral à la Loire. Along the way, you’ll discover the Guétin canal-bridge, an impressive structure that spans the Allier and offers a unique panorama of the waters below. Further on, in Marseilles-Lès-Aubigny, you can take a break at the river port, an ideal place to admire traditional barges and boats.
Continuing on, a detour to the Bec d’Allier will allow you to observe the meeting of the Loire and Allier rivers, a fascinating and wild confluence, a refuge for many birds. Finally, you’ll come to La Charité-sur-Loire, a famous monastic town and stage on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, with its medieval streets and UNESCO World Heritage priory.
From LA CHARITE SUR LOIRE to SANCERRE 28km 75m
You’re in the heart of the Val de Loire nature reserve. Two wine-growing regions are on the agenda for your day. If you like, take a detour to Pouilly-sur-Loire, the first wine region, with its vineyards, village and bell tower. Then get back on your bike on an easy route that allows you to build up your strength before the climb up to the hill of Sancerre. Arriving in Sancerre, enjoy a breathtaking view from La Tour des Fiefs, the last of the 6 towers of the feudal castle of Sancerre.
- For a few more km 35km 305m
For the more motivated gourmet-oenologists, before reaching Sancerre, you can explore the Sancerre vineyards. You’ll also discover the home of the famous crottin de Chavignol. The pairing of goat’s cheese and white wine is a long debate. Take a photo and tell us what you think! Then head for Sancerre.
From SANCERRE to BRIARE 50km 165m
A few pedal strokes will take you to a first gourmet stop in Chavignol. You can choose to taste the famous goat cheese of the same name, and visit an emblematic cellar to taste the famous white wine of Sancerre of a remarkable finesse. After this pleasant moment, it is time to leave the peaceful wine-growing landscapes to join the channel to the side of the Loire that you follow by alternating with the banks of the river. You reach Cosne sur Loire and its museum of the Loire then Briare where you stay for the night to discover more deeply its aqueduct, classified as part of the UNESCO heritage.
From BRIARE to SULLY-SUR-LOIRE 43km 224m
By small, slightly hilly roads you will discover the castle of Gien whose city is a high place of world renowned earthenware. You are slowly moving towards the Val de Loire territory classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The famous Renaissance castle of Sully sur Loire symbolizes the door of the castles of the Loire that its military architecture defended. Behind its military armor, the castle reveals all the grace of the Renaissance interiors which gratified its owner, the Duke of Sully.
From SULLY-SUR-LOIRE to ORLEANS 52km 113m
Today, many beautiful stops are available to you, including the views offered on the Loire. In Saint Benoît sur Loire, we invite you to visit the exceptional setting of the 12th century Roman basilica. Save some time at the end of the day for a visit to Orleans, the iconic city of Joan of Arc.
ORLEANS
End of stay after breakfast.
Ils ont voyagés avec nous
Informations pratiques
Essential Range
You want to enjoy your itinerary without anything fancy. Our ”essential” range offers a simple accommodation for a good night’s rest in a simple hotel, guesthouse, rest house or hostel.
Starting from 965€/participant in Self Guided option
See detailed prices Accommodation example
Comfort Range
Our quality standard at Abicyclette. This type of accommodation includes 2 and 3 stars hotels. Depending on the itinerary, you might spend some nights in approved guesthouses. You enjoy a double bedroom with private bathroom and toilet and adapted welcome for you and your bikes.
Starting from 1010€/participant in Self Guided option
See detailed prices Accommodation example
Privilege Range
Opt for total comfort in charming 3 and 4 star hotels which offer all the services you need and a special welcome for you and your bikes.
Quote on request
Contact us
Price includes
- Accommodation: 6 nights in a Double room
- 6 breakfasts
- Luggage transfer
- Phone assistance 24/7
- Access to our exclusive travel application to follow your route, inform you about places of interest, restaurants, facilitate your assistance in case of emergency, find all your travel documents and our practical advice.
- Application fee
- Taxes
- The itinerary trackable on the following supports:
- Loan of a Bicycle GPS uploaded with full itinerary of the trip
- Topo maps
- Cycling practical guide including restaurant recommendations for lunch & dinner
- Day 1 : A personalized greeting with our team at the beginning of the trip to receive your travel documents
Price does not include
- bike rental (see option)
- Breakfast on day 1
- Lunches
- Dinners not included in "Price includes"
- Drinks, visits & other personal expenses
Homemade and fully tested itineraries
- Routes selected for their cycling and touristic interest entirely tested and away from traffic
- Accomodations selected for their hospitality, atmosphere, services and quality meals
- A flexible organisation to suit you needs and wishes: You choose the date you want to you leave on! We check the availability of each accomodation to make sure it is possible.
Close assistance
- One of our guides greets you on your first day. He will hand out all the needed documents for the trip (hotel vouchers, maps of the area,GPS, practical guide), get you settled on your bikes (for rental bikes).
- Phone assistance, you can reach the Abicyclette team whenever you need
- A Luggage transfer service which respects your hours of rest (we pick them up after 10:00 and deliver them before 16:00)
Follow your itinerary anyway you like – modern, practical, traditional
- We loan you a GPS so that you can easily follow your itinerary without having to look for your way around (bike support included)
- Access to our exclusive travel application to follow your route, inform you about places of interest, restaurants, facilitate your assistance in case of emergency, find all your travel documents and our practical advice.
- A practical cycling guide with all the useful information (addresses, highlights for the day, topo maps, and touristic information)
You can also
- Rent a high end quality bike for real comfort, cycling pleasure and reliability a long trip requires.
- Suscribe to a Cancelation or Multi Risk insurance policy which cover you in case something unexpected comes up.
On our guided tours (for groups on demand), we accompany you every step of the way
- One of our state qualified instructor and professional cycling guide accompanies you every step of the way
- Full board (all meals covered unless asked otherwise)
- A picnic buffet set up for lunch with a wide choice of fresh and local produce
We offer a high-end bike rental service. Our bikes are suited for road and gravel road long-distance cycling. Fully equipped and highly reliable, they are faithful travel companions.
Our rentals include a "breakage and theft guarantee" for peace of mind when travelling. Information and details from your advisor.
Tourring bikeComfort tourring bike Supplied equipment per bike
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EbikeBOSCH engine range 80 to 100 km Supplied equipment per bike
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Getting here
Departure city : NEVERS
Coming by car
- at from PARIS
- at from BORDEAUX
- at from LYON
Parking*
- Parking Champ de Foire – NEVERS
- Parking Port de Médine – NEVERS
- Parking gare de Nevers – EFFIA – NEVERS
Coming by train
- Nevers train station - 2h from Paris
Coming by plane
- Nevers airport
- Paris Charles de Gaulle airport
Arrival city : ORLEANS
Coming by car
- at 1h45 from PARIS
- at 4h30 from BORDEAUX
- at 4h15 from LYON
Coming by train
- Orléans train station - 1h30 from Paris
Coming by plane
- Orléans airport
- Paris Charles de Gaulle airport
*Parking: Since many of our clients travel by train or plane, we do not include parking in our packages. In addition, many accommodations don’t have the capacity to park a vehicle for the duration of your cycling vacation. So if you’re planning to arrive by car, we suggest you check parking options when you make your reservation. If you reserve a parking space at the first or last accommodation of your stay, you must pay the accommodation provider on site.
* Abicyclette Voyages accompanies you on demand, including transportation solutions.
How to get back to the starting point
- By train from Orléans to Nevers in 2h20
- Return by car in 2h30 to your starting point
- Private shuttle: see detailed fares or contact us
Recommended equipment
Bike
- Hybrid Bike or Touring Bike or Gravel Bike
- 18 to 30-speed transmission
- 26- to 29-inch wheels
- Tires: 35 to 42 section, reinforced against punctures
- Disc brakes recommended
- 2 bottle cages
- Bell
- Front and rear lighting
Clothing and equipment
- Helmet (supplied with bike rental unless otherwise specified locally)
- 1 bike mount for smartphone to use the mobile route planner application
- Suitable cycling clothing:
- bib, shorts or tights: elastic and breathable, to facilitate movement and wick away perspiration
- Breathable T-shirts, synthetic or merino wool
- Breathable windbreaker
- Thermal or fleece jacket
- Waterproof jacket
- 1 pair of sunglasses
- 1 pair of cycling shoes
- 1 backpack or 1 or 2 carrier bags
- 1 or 2 water bottles (supplied with bike rental in France)
- 1 lock (supplied with bike rental)
- Technical details, recommended by the team for optimum comfort:
- 1 pair of gloves or mittens, depending on season and destination
- Padded bib (chamois)
- High-visibility vest or fluorescent belt
- Neck warmer and cap
Bike maintenance
- Emergency repair kit: 2 or 3 inner tubes, patches, pump, tire levers, multi-tools
- Maintenance kit: rag, oil, brake pads
Other
- A suitcase for your belongings carried in the vehicle (limited to one per person)
- Street clothes
- 1 pair of evening shoes
- Fleece jacket for the evening
- Toiletry bag
- Telephone and charger
Terms of payment and cancellation
The full terms and conditions of sale are available here: https://www.abicyclette-voyages.com/conditions-generales-de-vente/
Booking and payment
- Departure more than 30 days before your booking: payment of a deposit of 30%, excluding insurance, at the time of booking. If you have taken out travel insurance, it must be paid in full at the time of booking to guarantee its validity.
- Departure within 30 days of your booking: payment of the total cost of your stay. Or payment of the balance of the holiday if you have already paid a deposit.
Cancellation of the Contract
You may cancel the Contract at any time before the start of the Tour, subject to payment of a cancellation fee. Any total or partial cancellation will incur the following costs per participant:
| Cancellation period | Fees |
| From the date of Booking to 60 days or more before departure or the 1st day of the programme | 5% of the total cost of the Tour (including options); a minimum of 100 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer |
| Between 59 and 30 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 10% of the total cost of the Tour (including options); a minimum of 120 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer
|
| Between 29 and 10 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 30% of the total amount of the Tour (including options) a minimum of 150 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer |
| Entre 9 à 7 jours avant le départ ou le 1er jour du programme | 45% du montant total du Voyage (options incluses) |
| Between 9 and 7 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 75% of the total cost of the trip (including options) |
| Less than 3 days to the day of departure or the 1st day of the programme | 100% of the total cost of the trip (including options) |
| No show on day of departure or 1st day of programme |
Custom made trips
You want a custom made cycling tour, or you’ve spotted one of our trips and would like to adapt it ? Tell us a bit about your project and we’ll help you prepare a trip that suits you best.
Starting from 965€
Book your trip
NEVERS
Welcome to Nevers! We invite you for a briefing during the afternoon in this beautiful city, old capital of french earthenware.
Meeting with our local guide
Before your first ride, we invite you to meet one of our guides, at your place of departure. A time of exchange, a privileged moment to give you our last practical tips, must-see places and experiences, to answer all your questions, take care of your bike fitting to begin your trip.