Full Description
The 1052km Loire cycle route starts at the source of the Loire in the Massif Central mountains of central France and finishes at the Atlantic opposite St Nazaire. It descends past extinct volcanoes, crater lakes and deep gorges before joining EuroVelo route 6 and the fully waymarked Loire a Velo, France's most popular cycle trail. Following the river downstream in 26 stages, the route is generally downhill or level often on dedicated traffic-free cycle tracks. Packed with a wealth of useful information - from practical planning advice to fascinating insights about the river and its surroundings - the guidebook features detailed route descriptions and informative mapping. Details of facilities and places to stay, and a French glossary are included. The route goes through the heart of France as the Loire becomes the royal river, bounded by extravagant chateaux, fields of Charolais cattle and vineyards. It passes through historic cities like Orleans and Tours, continuing past Angers and France's fourth largest city Nantes.
Contents
Map keyOverview mapIntroductionBackgroundThe routeNatural environmentPreparationGetting there and backNavigationAccommodationFood and drinkAmenities and servicesWhat to takeSafety and emergenciesAbout this guideThe Loire Cycle RoutePrologue Getting to the startUpper LoireStage 1 Gerbier de Jonc to GoudetStage 2 Goudet to Le Puy-en-VelayStage 3 Le Puy-en-Velay to RetournacStage 4 Retournac to Aurec-sur-LoireStage 5 Aurec-sur-Loire to FeursStage 6 Feurs to RoanneStage 7 Roanne to DigoinMiddle LoireStage 8 Digoin to Bourbon-LancyStage 9 Bourbon-Lancy to DecizeStage 10 Decize to NeversStage 11 Nevers to La Charite-sur-LoireStage 12 La Charite-sur-Loire to SancerreStage 13 Sancerre to BriareStage 14 Briare to Sully-sur-LoireStage 15 Sully-sur-Loire to OrleansLower LoireStage 16 Orleans to BeaugencyStage 17 Beaugency to BloisStage 18 Blois to AmboiseStage 19 Amboise to ToursStage 20 Tours to BrehemontStage 21 Brehemont to SaumurStage 22 Saumur to AngersStage 23 Angers to Montjean-sur-LoireStage 24 Montjean-sur-Loire to AncenisStage 25 Ancenis to NantesStage 26 Nantes to St Brevin-les-Pins (St Nazaire)Appendix A Stage summary tableAppendix B Facilities summary tableAppendix C Tourist information officesAppendix D Youth hostels and gites d'etapeAppendix E Useful contactsAppendix F Language glossary
