La Vélo Francette leaves Saumur via a pretty greenway beside the Thouet River. Then the route adopts farm tracks and quiet country roads. Crossing villages, fields and the sloping vineyards of the Saumurois area, this stage finishes at the foot of Montreuil-Bellay, an historic fortified town on Anjou’s southern border and listed as a member of Les Plus Beaux Détours de France and a Petite Cité de caractère, given its many charms.

From Montreuil-Bellay, you descend back down to the Thouet River, heading for Thouars. The véloroute runs peacefully beside the river. La Ballastière Lake makes for a pleasant stop before you continue towards Taizon. Here, in centuries past, travellers had to pay a toll to cross the bridge. You can make out the town of Thouars on the horizon…

After visiting the historic heart of Thouars, take in the Imbert Floral Park, with its lovely terraces above the River Thouet. Leaving this Ville d’Art & d’Histoire, you can continue to appreciate to the full the charms of the Thouet’s riverbanks. As you cycle along, enjoy glimpses of waterfalls, wooded slopes and lovely historic buildings.

An unforgettable stage, along quiet roads. The village of Airvault, with its abbey church, covered market and underground fountain, sets the tone. Next, the moated château and village of St-Loup-sur-Thouet will surprise you. Then the Lac du Cébron provides room to relax before continuing along the Thouet, crossing via a railway viaduct to reach the haughty medieval fortified town of Parthenay.

From Parthenay, the Thouet à Vélo cycle route branches west via Secondigny towards the Thouet’s source, heading into the county of Vendée. La Vélo Francette continues southwestwards towards the town of Niort. You cross the Pays de Gâtine, a hillier area; turning many a corner, magnificent views open up of the unspoilt countryside and hedgerows. Savour this stage along quiet country roads.

Champdeniers-St-Denis makes for a surprising stop, with its amenities and its remarkably rich local heritage. The route then alternates between quiet roads and farm tracks as it heads on to join the banks of the Sèvre Niortaise River at the level of Ternanteuil. After a big meander, the route arrives in the city of Niort, taking you to the base of its towering twin keeps.