Loire à Vélo: bike tour from Nevers to Orléans
7 days / 5 days riding / ref. L7 / Difficulty Easy / Linear tripper person
Your cycling tour in the Loire Valley:
Discover the newest part of the « Loire a à Vélo » cycling paths and enjoy the wildest part of the Loire river. From Nevers to Orléans, follow the Santiago de Compostela paths, ride through the Sancerre vineyards, up to the canal-bridge in Briare … before the reaching Orléans, Joan of Arc’s town.
Tour highlights
- The Canal de Briare and its canal-Bridge, World Heritage Site by UNESCO
- The beautiful landscapes offered by « Loire Natural reserve »
- The Sancerre wine
- Discover the « Kilometre Zero » of the « Loire à Vélo »
Day 1Arrival in Nevers
Visit the charming town of Nevers : its pottery workshops (where its typical “Nevers Blue” was created in the 16th century) and the Ducal Palace, considered to be one of the first of the Loire châteaux, which was the home of the counts and then the dukes of Nevers.
Day 2Nevers – La Charité sur Loire | 45 km
To start this 1st Loire à Vélo trail, reach Cuffy which is the Official starting point of the “Loire à Vélo” cycling path. Continue to the monastic city of la Charité-sur-Loire where you ride on the oldest Loire river bridge (16th century) to reach the beautiful Romanesque Notre Dame church.
Day 3La Charité sur Loire – Sancerre | 31 km or 38 km
Ride through the “Loire Valley National Nature Reserve” and admire the vineyards and the bell tower of Pouilly sur Loire church. Continue between fields and woods towards the famous Sancerre vineyards. And don’t hesitate to stop for a visit to a local wine producer to sample a glass of Sancerre Blanc with typical Chavignol goat cheese! From Sancerre, overlooked by its 15th century “Tour des Fiefs” dungeon, a beautiful view over the valley is waiting for you.
Day 4Sancerre – Briare | 49 km
Leave Sancerre riding along the tow-path of the Canal Latéral towards Bannay and then Cosne sur Loire, a flowered city offering beautiful landscapes over the Loire river. Continue to follow the Loire à Vélo cycling paths to Belleville sur Loire, Beaulieu sur Loire and Briare. Bordered by 72 lampposts and magnificent pillars, its “canal bridge” is one of the must-see monuments : a unique structure of its kind… and for a good reason: until 2003, it was the longest canal bridge in Europe!
Day 5Briare – Sully sur Loire | 41 km
Ride over the Loire river using the “canal bridge” then continue towards Saint Brisson sur Loire and its mediaeval château specialized in catapults and cannons. Then reach the nice city of Gien and enjoy its exceptional panoramic view. Then, cycle to Sully sur Loire and its remarkable mediaeval château, surrounded by moats overlooking the Loire river.
Day 6Sully sur Loire – Orléans | 50 km
Here again, enjoy panoramic views until you reach Saint Benoit sur Loire and its 11th-13th centuries abbey church, one of France’s most remarkable Romanesque churches. Ride to Châteauneuf sur Loire, one of the major ports of the Loire during the 18th century before ending your tour in Orléans, the “City of Art and History” liberated in 1429 by Joan of Arc from the English siege.
Day 7Departure during the day
The little extra with Biking France:
Private return transfer from Orléans to Nevers – (rate on request).
Extend your Loire à Vélo adventure!
To Tours with our trip: Loire à vélo: cycle tour from Orléans to Tours.
Documents
> Download tour programSelect your category
Your accommodation
• 6 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 5 days
•
A personalized travel app, including all your cycling stages as well as tourist and practical information
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (6 nights included)
•
Transfer from Orléans to Nevers and personal bike repatriation
• 6 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 5 days
•
A personalized travel app, including all your cycling stages as well as tourist and practical information
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (6 nights included)
•
Transfer from Orléans to Nevers and personal bike repatriation
from 3 to 11 years old : - 20%
from 12 to 15 years old : - 10%
(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum)
VTC GITANE bike - 21 speed gears
(bike included in this tour)
A bike that favors an upright, comfortable position, ideal for leisure riding.
OPEN frame, until 1m83
CLOSED frame, from 1m83
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 front pannier with a map holder
- 1 repair kit
- 1 smartphone holder
- 1 lock
- 1 bottle cage
Helmet not provided.
SCOTT Sub Sport 20 - 27 speed gears
A “sport” bike that favors a more athletic position and riding style.
OPEN frame, until 1m83
CLOSED frame, from 1m83
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 front pannier with a map holder
- 1 repair kit
- 1 smartphone holder
- 1 lock
- 1 bottle cage
Helmet not provided.
MOUSTACHE e-bike
OPEN frame
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 front pannier with a map holder
- 1 repair kit
- 1 smartphone holder
- 1 lock
Helmet not provided.
(These models of e-bikes may be replaced by another one, similar)
Equipment & Bike for children
We provide bikes and equipment for children such as :
- children’s bike
(from 16 to 24 inches – from 1,05m to 1,45m / from 3’5’’ to 4’9’’)
- “follow-me” tandem
(for children from 5 to 8 years old – about 1,05m / 1,30m – from 3’5’’ to 4’4’’)
The “follow-me” is a clever coupling device that allows you to attach the child’s bike to your bike with ease. It can be removed easily to let the child ride alone.
- trailer
(for baby or 25 kg maximum children)
- baby seat
(for baby or 22 kg maximum children, fixed on the rear rack)
Practical details
Bikes will be delivered at our partner.
At the end of the tour, leave the rental bikes at our partner, we will pick them up.
Your travel app
You’ll have personalized access to our travel app, which you can download onto your smartphone.
This app includes all your cycling stages, tourist and practical content, as well as your accommodation. The application will guide you along your route, like a GPS, during your cycling stages.
In addition to the app, you’ll receive a complete digital roadbook by email, including color maps of your stages.
If you would like a printed version of the roadbook, please let us know when you book your trip. It will be provided at your first accommodation.
Your journey
Tour description
Mix of cycling paths or signposted routes for cyclists (90%) and small traffic roads.
Bike stages trip profiles
(click below to see the trip profile of each stage)
- stage Nevers – La Charité sur Loire : 45km / elevation gain : 211m / elevation loss : 192m
- stage La Charité sur Loire – Sancerre (short version) : 29 km / elevation gain : 184m / elevation loss : 93m
- stage La Charité sur Loire – Sancerre (vineyards version) : 39 km / elevation gain : 449m / elevation loss : 358m
- stage Sancerre – Briare : 49 km / elevation gain : 270m / elevation loss : 424m
- stage Briare – Sully sur Loire : 40 km / elevation gain : 177m / elevation loss : 196m
- stage Sully sur Loire – Orléans : 50 km / elevation gain : 132m / elevation loss : 143m
How to arrive in Nevers
By train
From Paris Gare de Bercy train station to Nevers train station (about 2h by train).
For more information, do not hesitate to visit : www.sncf.com
By plane
- From Roissy CDG airport:
– Roissy Charles de Gaulle T.2 train station >> St Pierre des Corps train station or Lyon Part Dieu train station (by TGV train) >> Nevers train station (by regular train).
– RER B >> Paris centre – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 6 – stop ‘Bercy’ >> Paris Bercy train station >> Nevers train station.
www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passengers/access/paris-charles-de-gaulle/public-transport
www.transilien.com/en
www.ratp.fr/en/plans-lignes
- From Orly airport:
– Taxi transfer to Paris Bercy train station >> Nevers train station.
– Bus shuttle (Orly Bus) : from Orly Sud > > Paris centre – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 6 – stop ‘Bercy’ >> Paris Bercy train station >> Nevers train station.
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlybus.php
– Orly Val (automatic metro) >> Paris – stop ‘Antony’ >> RER B – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 6 – stop ‘Bercy’ >> Paris Bercy train station >> Nevers train station.
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlyval.php
- From Beauvais airport:
– Taxi transfer to Paris Bercy train station >> Nevers train station.
– Bus shuttle >> Paris – stop ‘Porte Maillot’ >> >> Metro line 1 – stop ‘Châtelet’ + line 14 – stop ‘Bercy’ >> Paris Bercy train station >> Nevers train station.
www.aeroportparisbeauvais.com/en/acces-et-transports/navettes/
Return
If you have to come back to the start point:
- This return can be carry out by RandoVelo/Biking France: please contact us!
- A return transfer by train is possible and organised on your own. Please visit: www.sncf.com
Plan to go to the train station with your luggage (and your potential own bike)
(Personal bike return costs are on your responsibility).
– Orléans train Station >> Nevers train Station via Vierzon (about 2h20 by train) or Paris
– Orléans >> Nevers (by taxi).
If you have to return to Paris (city centre) / Paris Airports :
- This return can be carry out by RandoVelo/Biking France: please contact us!
- A return transfer by train is possible and organised on your own. Please visit: www.sncf.com
Plan to go to the train station with your luggage (and your potential own bike)
(Personal bike return costs are on your responsibility).
– Orléans train Station >> Paris Austerlitz Station (by train).
– Orléans train Station >> Saint Pierre des Corps train Station (by train) >> Roissy Charles de Gaulle T.2 train station (by TGV train).
> Nearby airport :
– Tours Airport : www.tours.aeroport.fr/home
