From flamboyant gardens to heritage sites, take advantage of the return of the fine weather to get away from it all by bike and spend the day discovering new landscapes!
The “Floral and Monument” circuit around Meung-sur-Loire
Once on your bike, follow the “Floral and Monument” loop. As you leave Meung-sur-Loire, you will discover the emblematic Château of Meung-sur-Loire, once the prestigious residence of the bishops of Orléans. During your ride, you will come across the charming gardens of Roquelin, offering you the chance to admire almost 450 varieties of roses in relaxing surroundings. After a few pedal strokes, you will see the Notre-Dame de Cléry-Saint-André basilica, where King Louis XI is buried. As you continue on your way, you will come across some pretty little villages: Jouy-le-Potier and Mézières-lez-Cléry, not forgetting the AOC vineyards of Orléans and Orléans-Cléry. An opportunity to stop off at the Clos Saint-Avit wine merchant to discover the wines of the appellation, before returning to your starting point.
Practical details: 39 km – around 4 hours
The “Donkey and the King” loop via Loches
Comfortably seated on your bike, let yourself be guided along the “Donkey and the King” loop. Before you leave Loches, start your day with a tour of the remarkable Royal City. With its lush green gardens, royal dwelling and imposing keep – one of the best preserved in Europe – Loches will have you under its spell. Just a few pedal strokes further and you will arrive in Beaulieu-Lès-Loches, a “Small Town of Character” where you can discover the Abbaye Bénédictine de la Sainte-Trinité. Then, after a few kilometres, you’ll reach the peace and quiet of the Loches national forest and the pretty lake in Pas-aux-Anes. A chance to recharge your batteries before heading back to your starting point.
Practical details: 25 km – 2hrs 45min
A loop “from Lavardin to Sasnières via the troglodyte dwellings”
With your feet on the pedals, follow the loop “from Lavardin to Sasnières via the troglodyte dwellings” to make the most of your day’s cycling. What better way to kick off your trip than with a visit to Lavardin, one of the most beautiful villages in France. With troglodyte dwellings, château ruins and views over the surrounding Loire Valley, Lavardin is sure to charm you. During your ride, you’ll pass through the small village of Villavard. An opportunity to stop off at the mushroom farm where you’ll discover traditionally grown local mushrooms. Just a few more pedal strokes will take you to the charming Plessis Sasnières gardens. Surrounded by rose bushes, perennials and shrubs, the tearoom is the perfect place to take a relaxing break before returning to the starting point.
Practical details: 24 km – 1hr 35min
Themes
