La Vélo Francette - From Longuenée-en-Anjou to Loire Authion

The Vélo Francette cycle route is more than 600 km long, starting in Normandy and leading down to the Atlantic.

The route follows the towpath of the Mayenne, between Longuenée-en-Anjou and Angers, then continues in parallel with the Loire à Vélo route between Angers and Loire Authion. After the landscapes of the Basses vallées angevines, among the most exceptional wet meadows in Europe, you will follow the smallest river in Anjou, the Maine (7 km) in the heart of Angers, then the royal river from Bouchemaine to continue towards Sainte-Gemmes-sur-Loire, les Ponts-de-Cé and Loire-Authion.

Starting from the Channel and descending towards the Atlantic, the Vélo Francette offers magnificent landscapes through Normandy, the Pays de la Loire and part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Poitou-Charentes regions.
Take this cycle route to discover the French countryside, castles, nature spots, charming villages and the banks of the Mayenne. A cycling route accessible to all and a unique adventure!

Here are good deals in the Angers’ urban community between Longuenée-en-Anjou and Loire-Authion:
- Take a break to eat in one of the numerous open-air cafes along the route: La Guinguette de Pruillé, La Rainette de Montreuil-Juigné and La Cabane du Chat qui pèche in Cantenay-Épinard.
- Help the ferryman to pull the ferry crossing the Mayenne river to access to the island of Saint-Aubin forbidden to cars.
- In Angers, take some time to stroll in the ancient streets of La Doutre, visit the château d’Angers and its treasure: the Apocalypse, not forgetting to enjoy the view on the Maine river from the Promenade du Bout du Monde.
- Take a selfie or post on Instagram the wonderful view from the Piverdière rocky promontory in Bouchemaine or from the Mediterranean garden in Sainte-Gemmes-sur-Loire.
- Visit the favourite residence of King René in Les Ponts-de-Cé, now home to the Musée des Coiffes et des Traditions, or in port des Noues, the Rive d'Arts creative pillar.
- Immerse yourself in the heart of the Loire thanks to the Loire-Odyssée interpretation centre in the new Loire-Authion town.

Download the map of great cycling routes and loops in and around Angers.

For personalised advice, to leave your bike in a secure box or to hire one, go to the Bicycle Conciergerie at the Angers Tourist Office.

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July 2024 - New service launched in the Pays de la Loire region:

Pedal, drop off and send your bike wherever you want.
The process to follow :
1/ I'm travelling by bike in Pays de la Loire region
2/ I book bike transport via the Colisport platform
3/ I drop my bike off at a drop-off point
4/ I collect it at the location I want: either from another partner shop to continue my journey, or directly from my home.

In Angers, you can count on Cycles Cesbron.
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