Loire Valley - Angers to Le Croisic

Day 1: Arrival in Angers
Day 2: Angers - St Florent le Vieil or Ancenis, (50 km or 65 km)
Day 3: St Florent le Vieil or Ancenis - Nantes, 34 or 25 mi. (55 km or 40 km)
Day 4: Nantes - St. Brèvin, 37 mi. (59 km)
Day 5: St. Brèvin - Le Croisic, 33 or 37 mi. (53 or  60 km)
Day 6: Rest day or excursion to Le Pouliguen and La Baule, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 7: Departure from Le Croisic

All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, weather conditions, or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations/detours necessary due to roadwork or other unforeseen circumstances that will not be reflected on your maps or route descriptions. In this case, please follow the directions posted locally.

Day 1: Arrival in Angers
Welcome to Angers, a charming riverside city in the heart of the historic Anjou region. After checking into your hotel, take a stroll through its cobbled streets, lined with half-timbered houses and lively squares. Be sure to visit the Château d’Angers, a massive fortress with 17 round towers built from black slate and white limestone. Inside, discover the Apocalypse Tapestry, a 14th-century masterpiece and the largest medieval tapestry in the world, stretching over 100 meters in length. This UNESCO-protected artwork vividly illustrates the Book of Revelation and is a true jewel of medieval art. As the sun sets, enjoy a glass of local wine on a terrace in Place du Ralliement, soaking in the relaxed energy of this cultural hub.

Day 2: Angers - St Florent le Vieil or Ancenis, 32 mi. or 42 mi. (50 km or 67 km)
Today, begin your ride through the scenic Anjou vineyards, passing through Côteaux de la Loire and Côteaux de l’Aubance, known for producing Chenin Blanc wines. Stop in Savennières, a quaint village whose dry white wines are among the most respected in the Loire Valley. The vineyards here are some of the oldest in France, cultivated since the 1st century AD. Continue your journey past riverside villages and over Île de Chalonnes, the largest island in the Loire River, before reaching Saint-Florent-le-Vieil. This peaceful village, perched on a rocky hill, was once an important pilgrimage site and is still watched over by the Mont-Glonne Abbey. Depending on your accommodation, you may continue a little further to the historic riverside town of Ancenis, a former border town between Brittany and Anjou.

Day 3: St Florent le Vieil or Ancenis - Nantes, 34 or 25 mi. (55 km or 40 km)
The day’s route follows the Loire à Vélo trail along the riverbanks, offering ever-changing landscapes and the chance to spot wildlife such as herons, cormorants, and storks in the surrounding wetlands. Pause in Champtoceaux, a former medieval fortress town that overlooks the Loire Valley from a stunning hilltop viewpoint. This spot historically marked the boundary between the provinces of Anjou and Brittany. Continue on to Nantes, the historic capital of Brittany and now one of France’s most vibrant and creative cities. Once a bustling shipbuilding and slave-trading port, Nantes has reinvented itself with art, innovation, and culture. Don’t miss the spectacular Île de Nantes, home to the Machines de l’île, a whimsical steampunk world of giant mechanical animals, including a 12-meter-tall walking elephant. Explore the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, stroll the boulevards, and treat yourself to fresh seafood or a traditional Breton crêpe.

Day 4: Nantes - St. Brèvin, 36 mi. (58 km) 
Leave the city behind as you follow the Loire River westward toward the Atlantic. The scenery transitions from wooded trails to marshlands and open countryside, dotted with small farms and fishing huts perched on stilts. Your destination is Saint-Brévin-les-Pins, where the Loire River meets the Atlantic Ocean. This peaceful seaside town is known for its long sandy beaches, maritime pine forests, and fresh ocean breeze. It's the perfect place to watch the sun dip below the horizon as the river completes its journey to the sea.

Day 5: St. Brèvin - Le Croisic, 34 mi. (55 km)
Today begins with a short bus transfer over the Saint-Nazaire Bridge, a massive structure spanning the Loire estuary. Once on the other side, your route takes you into Brière Regional Natural Park, a protected landscape of wetlands, canals, and thatched-roof cottages. Stop in the fortified town of Guérande, famed for its medieval walls and its surrounding salt marshes, which have produced fleur de sel (the prized finishing salt) for centuries. These marshes are not only economically vital but also home to a rich ecosystem of birds and aquatic life. Continue your ride along the scenic Côte Sauvage or “wild coast”, a stretch of rocky inlets, dramatic cliffs, and crashing waves. Arrive in Le Croisic, a picturesque fishing port known for its granite architecture, narrow streets, and thriving seafood market. Once a major sardine exporter, Le Croisic remains a hidden gem along the Atlantic coast.

Day 6: Rest day or excursion to Le Pouliguen and La Baule, 34 mi. (55 km)
Spend the day relaxing in Le Croisic, where you can wander the old harbor, enjoy fresh oysters by the sea, or explore the scenic coastal path known as the Sentier des Douaniers, which offers striking views of rocky coves and wave-washed cliffs. For those eager to ride, take a circular route toward Le Pouliguen, a charming family-friendly resort with a lovely promenade and artisanal ice cream shops. From there, continue to La Baule, home to one of the longest sandy beaches in Europe, stretching over 8 kilometers. Lined with Belle Époque villas and pine trees, it’s a favorite summer escape for Parisians and a perfect place to relax at a beachside café. Return to Le Croisic for one last coastal sunset, concluding your journey from vineyard valleys to ocean views.

Day 7: Departure from Le Croisic
If  you are looking for a longer journey, it is possible to combine this tour with our other Loire Valley Tours: Loire Valley: Tours to Angers and Loire Valley: Orléans to Tours. Please contact us for details.

• Tours to Angers route includes Villandry with its famous gardens, a Renaissance château in Azay Le Rideau, the 15th château in Langeais, the ‘Sleeping Beauty’ château in Ussé, the abbey of Fontevraud, the vineyards of Anjou, and the château in Angers.
• The Orléans to Tours Loire Valley bike tour includes the historic town of Orléans, the flowered city of Beaugency, the Château of Chambord, the Château of Blois, the Château of Chaumont, and ‘Clos Luce’.

If you’re looking for a different flavor altogether, check out our full list of bike tours in Europe or view all our featured bicycle tours, specials, and news.

Accommodations

Choose one of the following categories:
Standard category: 2 and 3 star
Superior category: 3 and 4 star

Bicycles

Standard Bike

Scott Sub Sport 20 women's or men's bike

• E-SUB Alloy frame
• Flat handlebar
• Water bottle cage
• 27 speed (Shimano Alivio or Altus)
• Flat pedal
• Shimano disc brakes
• Racktime with spring
• Front / Rear Axa Blue Line Lights

E-Bike

Moustache Lundi 27.1 (or similar)

• OPEN frame
• 9 or 10 speed transmission

Accessories

Included accessories

• Counter (one per booking)
• One bottle (100% recyclable)
• Repair kit and life/visibility jacket
• Pump
• Lock
• Front pannier with map holder
• Rear rack and pannier (2 panniers on e-bike)
• Smartphone holder

Supplemental accessories

• Child trailer (up to 5 years old)
  • Maximum weight: 37kg
  • Steel structure
  • 2 seats with a security system
  • Wheels: 20" quick release
  • Waterproof polyester hood
  • Anti-insect net
  • Storage at the back
  • Repair kit
• 'Follow-me' tandem (5 to 8 years old)
  • Lock and life jacket