It is just a stone's throw from the town of Angers, following the course of the river of the same name. To the north-east of the capital of Anjou, we suggest an 80km route to La Flèche, which you can complete over 1, 2 or 3 days, depending on your level of fitness.
Vallée du Loir à vélo - is it the Loir or the Loire?
Before going any further in our presentation of this Vallée du Loir à vélo route, we need to make a few points, both geographical and spelling-related. The Loir - in masculine form and without an "e" in the text - is a river in central-western France. It crosses four departments, Eure-et-Loir, Loir-et-Cher, Sarthe and of course Maine-et-Loire.
318.5 km long, this river ends its course in the Sarthe (the river, not the department) which, in turn, flows into the Maine. There are cumulative confluences here, as three rivers - the Loir, the Sarthe and, further west, the Mayenne - give rise to the Maine. And where does the river Maine end? In the Loire - in the feminine, this time with an 'e' - which is the royal river that needs no introduction. The Loir is therefore a sub-tributary of the Loire.
Cycling up from Angers
Now that you're familiar with the hydrological geography of Anjou, let's return to the Vallée du Loir à vélo route. To reach La Flèche from the gates of Angers, first follow the Maine, then the Sarthe and finally the confluence of the Loir. The Basses vallées angevines are yours.
Briollay is reached in just a few strokes of your pedal. We recommend a stopover at the Kiviv guinguette, housed in a former "boule de fort" hall. Immediately afterwards, the route does not quite follow the river, but twists and turns through the fields. Past the small village of La Roche Foulques, you reach Villevêque. If you're feeling the heat, stop off at the local bathing area, at the foot of an 800-year-old water mill! A good opportunity to dip your feet in the Loir. For art lovers, don't miss the Nov'art contemporary art trail, which takes over the streets and parks of Rives-du-Loir-en-Anjou between July and September.
A journey back through the history of Anjou
After passing through Corzé, you pass Seiches-sur-le-Loir along the river. If you have a little time to spare, you can cycle a little further south-east to Marcé airfield. Not to take a plane, but to visit the Espace Air Passion museum and learn about the history of aviation in Anjou and its pioneers.
Head back on the V47 route - the technical name for the Vallée du Loir à Vélo - which avoids the meander near the Bré sand pits. You pick up the river at Lézigné and then cross it towards Huillé. Once on the right bank, you're on your way to Durtal.
While you're there, don't miss the Château de Durtal. A stronghold conceived here in the 11th century by Foulques Nerra, in the face of hostilities between the counties of Anjou and Maine. The current château dates from the 15th century. It was built just after the Hundred Years' War by the de La Jaille family. If you're planning a break here, we invite you to pitch your tent at Les Portes de l'Anjou campsite. The establishment is located right on the banks of the River Loir.
Finally you get to La Flèche
The next day, get back in the saddle to cross the river again. The Vallée du Loir à vélo route follows the left bank of the river, heading slightly inland towards Les Rairies. From here, branch off once more to cycle towards the Cré-sur-Loir marshes regional nature reserve. Just a few more meanders along the banks of the Loir and you're in La Flèche, famous for its Prytanée national militaire, its windmills and its large zoo. Campsites, hotels, gîtes... there's a wide range of accommodation on offer. And if your legs still have more to give before you get back to Angers, the V47 route continues past La Flèche. If Durtal isn't enough for you, you might like to visit the Château du Lude.
About the Vallée du Loir à Vélo
The 320km Vallée du Loir à Vélo cycle route follows the course of the river, from its meandering beginnings between Beauce and Perche to the banks of the Loire. Travelling from Saint-Eman near Chartres to Angers, you will cross the departments of Eure-et-Loir, Loir-et-Cher, Sarthe and Anjou. Cycling along the Loir Valley offers just the right amount of rolling countryside, where you can admire a variety of scenes typical of the region: crops, vineyards and orchards blend harmoniously, while charming villages bordered by the Loir reveal their treasures in the heart of unspoilt nature.
Ideas for cycling routes
Of course, there's more than just the Vallée du Loir à Vélo. There are more than fifteen cycle routes to choose from, for both leisurely cyclists and more experienced sports enthusiasts. Accessible routes for all types of bikes: Mountain bikes, e-bikes and gravel bikes. If you don't have your own bike, our holiday advisors can point you in the direction of bike hire services.
