Boucle vélo sur la trace des écrivains

Discover the Loire by bike between Angers and Nantes on a 30km loop linking Saint-Florent-le-Vieil and Varades to Liré and Ancenis. Discover two departments in the Pays de la Loire region: Maine et Loire and Loire Atlantique!

/!\ Temporary closure of the Route de la Garenne, in the commune of Liré, until 31 December 2026 – diversion details available in the attachment /!\

Follow in the footsteps of the great writers of the Loire region as you travel along the river! This 30 km loop invites you on a journey where heritage, nature and literature come together in an exceptional setting.

From Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, a ‘Petite Cité de Caractère®’ perched above the river, let yourself be carried away by the Julien Gracq promenade and the landscapes that fuelled the writer’s imagination. Following the banks of the Loire, head to Liré, the birthplace of Joachim Du Bellay, where the views of the Loire inspired one of the greatest poets of the Renaissance.

Amidst charming villages, vineyards and landscapes shaped by the river, this circular route invites you to discover the full richness of the Loire’s banks.

A cycling break combining culture and the great outdoors, ideal for recharging your batteries, taking the time to admire the scenery… and, why not, setting off again ‘as happy as Ulysses who had a wonderful journey’.

Please note: you’ll be crossing bridges without dedicated cycle lanes. Please take the utmost care when crossing these bridges.