The best-known is the Loire à Vélo, but there's also the Vélo Francette and the Vallée du Loir à Vélo. If you're travelling on one of them, here are a few must-see tourist sites; places not to be missed along the way.
The 3 major cycle routes stopping off in Angers
Loire à vélo - must-sees near Angers
Whether you're coming from the west, from Nantes, or from the east, from Tours, the Loire à vélo route is just a few pedal strokes from the city of Angers. The cycle route offers a variant known as the Anjou loop, so that you don't miss out on any of Anjou's must-see tourist attractions.
Arriving from the west, the first treasure is hidden on the island of Béhuard. The small town is nestled in a branch of the Loire. It's a timeless place, with its church built into the rock face and its cobbled streets. A little further on, the village of La Pointe is waiting to be discovered. This confluence is where the Maine flows into the Loire. Don't miss Place Ruzebouc.
From the east, the Loire à Vélo route offers you two options. You can opt for the great Anjou loop from La Daguenière. This route will take you along the Authion and then, further on, to the incredible Ardoisières park area after taking the Chevalerie ferry. This reclaimed former slate quarry offers trails through the schist massif, skirting several deep-water lakes.
If you choose to continue along the Loire, you will pass the château of Les Ponts-de-Cé. Further on, don't miss the guinguette at Port-Thibault. Not far from there, the Mediterranean garden is a local curiosity. At the confluence of the Maine and Loire rivers (from which the department takes its name), just pedal a few more kilometres to reach Bouchemaine. Stroll along the Quai de la Noé before heading upstream to discover the city of Angers.
Vélo Francette - must-sees near Angers
In recent years, the Vélo Francette cycle route has become increasingly popular. While the Loire à Vélo route is one of the most popular cycle routes, the Vélo Francette route holds its own. As it crosses the Anjou region, the route is packed with tourist attractions.
If you're coming from the south, from Saumur, you won't feel out of place if you've already cycled along the Loire. The Vélo Francette route runs between Saumur and Angers. So you can therefore refer to the points of interest recommended above (Anjou loop).
Arriving from Normandy in the north, and after crossing the Mayenne department along the river of the same name, your first contact with Maine-et-Loire will be at La Jaille-Yvon. If you still have some energy left, we recommend stopping off at the leisure centre, which offers tree climbing, canoeing, archery and paddle boarding.
On this section, the French cycle route is 100% safe, as it follows the river via the tow-path. Numerous tourist sites are just a few pedal strokes away along the V43 (the technical name of the cycle route).
There are, of course, many manor houses and private châteaux to admire along the way. Open to the public, we strongly recommend a visit to the Château du Plessis-Macé and its inner courtyard. And since you're by the river, you won't want to miss the many lock-houses, such as the one at Montreuil-Belfroy or at Roussière dam.
If, after warming up your calves, you'd like to tantalise your taste buds, the Anjou region is full of good restaurants and wine estates to visit. There are also two major liqueur producers in Anjou, the famous Cointreau distillery and the Giffard distillery (inventor of the no less famous Menthe-Pastille). Finally, if you like theme parks, the Vélo Francette route takes you directly to Terra Botanica, a leisure park dedicated to the world of plants.
Vallée du Loir à vélo - must-sees near Angers
Less well known than its cousins La Loire à Vélo and La Vélo Francette, the Vallée du Loir à vélo route has plenty to offer cyclists. Depending on which direction you want to go in, Angers will be either your starting point or your destination.
In the Anjou region, between Angers and La Flèche, the V47 cycle route is packed with tourist attractions to suit all tastes: the château at Durtal, the Espace Air Passion museum at the Marcé airfield, the Villevêque bathing area and its 800-year-old mill.
From Briollay, the official route leaves the banks of the Loir to cross the Sarthe and join the banks of the Mayenne. From Cantenay-Épinard, the route follows the same path as the Vélo Francette (see above). Numerous "guinguettes" offer refreshing and tasty stops along the way.
And finally, it would be remiss of us not to mention the historic heart of Angers. From the Vallée du Loir à Vélo, the Vélo Francette or the Loire à Vélo, wherever you're coming from and whichever direction you're heading, you'd be crazy not to visit to this open-air piece of Anjou's history.
It's hard not to fall under the spell of these ancient streets that have retained their authenticity, the timber-framed houses and the centuries-old cobblestones. To avoid the latter (it's not Paris-Roubaix either!), we recommend using our bike concierge service available from June to September and located at the Tourist Office. And to take a step back in history (and cool off in the process), head to the Château d'Angers and its famous gallery of the Apocalypse Tapestry.
