L7 – In the Loire between Orleans and Nevers

A new Loire is offered to you, from Nevers you will follow this river (the longest of metropolis) to join the roads of Saint Jacques de Compostelle, the vineyards of Sancerre until the river port of Briare before joining the city of Joan of Arc, Orleans and its majestic cathedral.

STANDARD : with accommodation in 2-star hotels

SUPERIOR: with accommodation in 3-star hotels

Hiking

Day 1: Arrival in Nevers
You are in the city of earthenware or the “blue of Nevers” was born several centuries ago but its interest also lies in the Loire castle of Gothic inspiration where the Counts and Dukes of Nevers resided.

Day 2: Nevers – La Charité sur Loire – 45 km
The day starts at kilometre zero of “la Loire à vélo” which is in the village of Cuffy. You will then join one of the oldest bridges of the Loire river which will lead you to the Charité-sur-Loire and its Romanesque church.

Day 3: La Charité sur Loire – Sancerre – 31 km or 38 km
A day in the meadows and wooded islands offered by the Loire nature reserve. You will join the vineyards of Pouilly sur Loire (the famous smoked Pouilly) and then the Sancerre vineyard. A stop is necessary to taste this famous white wine, you will find many winegrowers to make you taste it. You will be able to accompany it with a small piece of goat since you are in the country of Chavignol.

Day 4: Sancerre – Briare -49 km
Today’s stopover will take you to small typical Loire villages such as Cosne sur Loire, its historical treasures and its breathtaking view of the Loire. The day ends in Briare and its Canal Bridge classified as a UNESCO world heritage site.

Day 5: Briare – Sully sur Loire – 41 km
It is still a very rich day which awaits you between the medieval castle of Saint Brisson sur Loire, the extraordinary panorama offered by the city of Gien but also its Faiencerie museum and finally the medieval castle of Sully with its park recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Day 6: Sully sur Loire – Orléans – 50 km
Magical panoramic views await you today. You will pass by the abbey church of Saint Benoit sur Loire, one of the most remarkable Romanesque buildings in France. You will then reach Châteauneuf sur Loire and Jargeau, a former river port, before reaching Orléans, the city of Joan of Arc and its magnificent cathedral.

Day 7: Orléans
End of the hike after breakfast.

Best period

From the beginning of March to November. Pay attention to the harvest period

Services

• 6 nights with breakfasts (in room for 2 people)
• Luggage transport during the cycling stages
• The rental of a VTC bike equipped for 5 days (with 1 helmet) and its repatriation
• 1 travel file (per room) including colour maps, detailed itineraries (FR or GB) and tourist documentation
• Tourist taxes
• Hotline support 7 days a week

Lunch, drinks, costs of site visits or transport not detailed in the services and other personal expenses are not included in this price. Cancellation/Assistance insurance is extra.

Access

By train:
Paris Bercy Station >> Nevers Station (about 2 hours by train).
For more information, consult the SNCF: www.sncf.fr

By plane :

From Roissy CDG airport :
– Gare Roissy Charles de Gaulle T.2 >> Gare de St Pierre des Corps or Gare de Lyon Part Dieu (by TGV) >> Gare de Nevers (by train).
– RER B – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ + Metro line 6 – stop ‘Bercy’ >> Gare Bercy >> Gare de Nevers.

From Orly airport :
– Transfer by taxi to Bercy Station >> Nevers Station.
– Shuttle Bus (Orly Bus) : from Orly Sud >> Paris centre – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 6 – stop ‘Bercy’ >> Gare de Bercy >> Gare de Nevers.

– Orly Val (automatic metro) : from Orly Sud or Orly Ouest >> Paris – stop ‘Antony’ >> RER B – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 6 – stop ‘Bercy’ >> Gare de Bercy >> Gare de Nevers.

Difficulty of the hike

Level 1 – A circuit with short stages (about 40 km) and no particular relief.