La Pénesais, charming and characterful cottages in Touraine, offers an authentic setting for a stopover on the Loire à Vélo.
900 Km through France
The “Loire à Vélo” cycle path extends its cycle route by 900 km all along the river Loire, from its source to its mouth in the Atlantic. In reality, from the city of Cuffy in Cher district to the city of Saint-Brévin-les-pins in Loire-Atlantique district. This cycle path is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe and attracted nearly 60,000 visitors from all over the world in 2022, up more than 20% compared to the pre-Covid period.
The “Loire à Vélo” cycle path thus crosses several regions, from Burgundy to Brittany, passing through the Centre-Val de Loire region. The route is dotted with castles, historic towns, picturesque villages, vineyards and natural sites of great beauty. It is also possible to take boats to discover the Loire and its tributaries.
The route is suitable for all levels of cyclists, from beginners to seasoned cyclists, and is fully marked for easy navigation. It is also possible to rent bicycles on site and have your luggage delivered from stage to stage, using local taxis, or via service providers dedicated to this service .
A route to discover France differently
The route begins in the Haute-Loire mountains, where the Loire has its source, and follows the river through spectacular landscapes of gorges and mountains. It then passes through historic cities such as Orléans, Blois and Tours, where visitors can discover the magnificent castles of Chambord or Chenonceau, among others.
The route also runs along picturesque villages (some of which are among the most beautiful in France) such as Beaugency, Crissay-sur-Manse, Chinon or Montsoreau, where visitors can discover the local architecture and taste the culinary specialties of the region. The region’s wine villages of Saumur and Bourgueil also offer local wine tastings for wine lovers.
The Loire à Vélo also crosses natural sites of great beauty, such as the Loire-Anjou-Touraine regional natural park, the Rillé lake and the Saint-Mesmin national nature reserve. Visitors can observe a wide variety of flora and fauna, especially birds.
The Loire à Vélo allows you to discover the region from a different angle, taking the time to appreciate the landscapes, the villages and the people. It’s a unique ‘soft moving’ experience away from highway traffic and city centers. Birdsong replaces the sound of car horns, and you can take your time there to reflect, admire, discuss and share.
Stop off at La Pénesais
We will be happy to welcome visitors to La Pénesais who have chosen this way of traveling and discovering the treasures of our region in a different way. Labeled “Accueil Vélo” and “Loire à Vélo“, we have a closed room for our guests’ bicycles, as well as the equipment necessary for (small) repairs. For those who do not come with their own bikes, bike rentals (traditional or electric) are available nearby.