Name: By bike
Address: FR

Cycling in the Pays Loudunais can be done without a stopwatch, to the sound of the birds and the wind in the vineyards. With its 400km of signposted trails, shady greenways and picturesque villages, the region lends itself to every desire for freedom. Whether you’re with family, friends or on your own, you can go at your own pace, without ever taking your eyes off the landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see.

Cycling tourism

MOUNTAIN BIKE

Great cycling escapes in the Pays Loudunais

The Loudunais region lies at the crossroads of several major cycle routes, which run like chapters in a single journey: to the west, the Loire à Vélo winds its ribbon between Saumur and Chinon, taking in UNESCO World Heritage panoramas, troglodyte villages and riverside wine-tasting breaks.To the north, Le Thouet à Vélo and La Vélo Francette criss-cross the gentle countryside and flower-filled valleys, linking the Loudun area with other major regions, while to the south, the Ligne Verte links Loudun to Châtellerault along almost 40km of former railway line, perfect for contemplative cyclists.

And for those who like to get off the beaten track, the Vélobuissonnière invites you to improvise: a poetic journey through villages, vineyards and byways, where you stop more often to admire than to take a breather.Finally, to extend the adventure, enthusiasts can join the Voie Verte Richelieu-Chinon, or venture out on the Pays Loudunais vineyard trail, a route full of flavour in the heart of the AOC Saumur vineyards.

Where we come from, each route tells its own story: the story of the landscapes, the skills and the encounters you can make without hurrying.

It's possible to have fun on a bike!

In Guesnes and Saix, the Tèrra Aventura routes turn cycling into a life-size treasure hunt: each time you solve a riddle, a new landscape is revealed. If you’re coming with children, this is the ideal activity to plan with them. A little further afield, in Moncontour, the Pumptrack attracts fans of urban gliding. Two loops, one for beginners, the other for experts, are open all year round to mountain bikers, BMX riders, rollerbladers, skateboarders and scooters, so there’s no need to count the times and laps: here, you turn, laugh and… do it all over again!

Landscapes and heritage revealed behind your handlebars

On the road, we advise you to keep your eyes peeled: the scenery changes without warning! A keep at the bend in the road, a bell tower on the hillside, a field of golden wheat… The visual surprises are never the same, and you could even say that cycling through the Pays Loudunais is like cycling through an open-air history book. Here, the keep of Moncontour dominates the valley; here, the castle of La Roche-Martel tells the story of medieval life; a little further on, Loudun reveals its flower-filled lanes, its Tour Carrée and its peaceful panoramas.Then come the vineyards. The vineyard route winds its way through cellars, estates and hamlets. Stop off to chat with a winemaker, taste a fresh Saumur, or just breathe in the scent of the earth.

Gentle bike rides in the Loudun area

For a leisurely outing, the paths of the Loudunais region abound with routes suitable for all ages: around Guesnes, the Scévolles forest offers cool, shady routes, perfect in summer. Near Moncontour, it’s easy to combine a walk with relaxation: after a few kilometres on the country lanes, head to the leisure centre for a dip in the water or an ice-cream break on the terrace, and all along the Ligne Verte, picnic areas and tables in the countryside invite you to take out your packed lunch.

These little loops are thePL’S spirit: you don’t have to go far to feel good.

A green adventure by bike

Cycling is a great ally for eco-friendly travel. It takes you on tours through unspoilt landscapes where nature retains its rights. Valleys, vineyards, woods and luminous plains await your gaze. Then, as the only energy you need to move forward is your own legs, it’s all to the good of your health and that of the planet! For a 100% environmentally-friendly effect, remember to take your water bottle and avoid littering. That way, the only traces you leave behind are those of your tyres… and your smiles.

In short, no performance. Just the simple pleasure of moving forward, free, under an immense sky.

Preparing for a two-wheeled adventure!

We couldn’t let you go just like that! At theTourist Office, we’ve got everything you need to enjoy your cycling holiday in the Pays Loudunais. For example, at you’ll find maps, GPX routes and practical advice to help you plan your itinerary to suit your level of ability and your desires, as well as Accueil Vélo accommodation, hire and repair outlets throughout the region. Whether you’re off for a couple of hours or a couple of days, the Pays Loudunais can be discovered to the rhythm of your pedal strokes and improvised breaks.

Whether you’re off for a couple of hours or a couple of days, the Pays Loudunais is an ideal playground for cycling enthusiasts, with its greenways, bushwalks, pumptracks, treasure hunts and picturesque villages.