La Vélo Francette from Angers to Saumur

La Vélo Francette shares the way with the Loire à Vélo cycle route for some way from Angers eastwards, leading you out of the city via the Maine River and the Lac de Maine, with its green surrounds. At the village of Bouchemaine, at the confluence of Maine and Loire, you might try one of the restaurants on the quays. Most of this stage is along traffic-free tracks up to La Daguenière, then you join quiet roads up to St-Mathurin-sur-Loire.

This alternative stage for leaving Angers goes via the dark blue slate mines southeast of the city centre on to the light blue waters of the Loire. The track through the disused slate mines at Trélazé is remarkably well laid out, crossing a former industrial landscape turned into a discovery park, with intriguing vistas, picnic areas, sports and leisure areas, a museum and an open-air craft display area.

This stage is shared by La Vélo Francette and the Loire à Vélo. Two options: either follow the route from Gennes along the Loire’s south bank up to Saint-Hilaire-St-Florent (on the western side of Saumur town); or cross the bridge at Gennes and follow the alternative route along the north bank of the Loire to Saumur. Whichever way you opt for, the waterside stretches passing Loire flora, fauna and traditional boats are glorious.