Banks of the Loire from the Île de Nantes to the Pont de Mauves-sur-Loire

Half gravel, half asphalt, this route along the Loire offers beautiful views of this magnificent river, with lovely shaded sections on the return from Mauves to Nantes. Several open-air cafés along the way offer refreshments and/or drinks at spots chosen for their tranquillity and ideal location.

Details

78006209
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Touring/Gravel
    Activity: Touring/Gravel
  • ↔
    Distance: 38.18 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 1.5 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,308 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,307 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 67 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: -1 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Nantes (44200|44300|44000|44)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 47.204305° / W 1.564159°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 1223SB, 1323SB

  • ◶
    Type of surface:
  •  
     
     60% Road  40% Byway
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Description of the route

Departure from the Hangar des Machines de l'Île, Boulevard de la Prairie au Duc.

(S/E) With your back to the Hangar des Machines de l'Île, turn left onto the cycle path that runs alongside Boulevard de la Prairie au Duc. Continue along Boulevard Babin Chevaye until you reach the tram tracks.

(1) Turn right onto Boulevard des Martyrs Nantais de la Résistance. At the roundabout, cross the tram tracks, then turn left onto Boulevard Georges Mendel. Reach the riverbank and follow it on your right until you reach the Pont Léopold Sedar Senghor bridge.

(2) Take this road, then turn left at the end. Follow the V22 cycle path along the Loire until you reach the small port of Pierre Percée with its guinguette (open-air café).

(3) Continue to the Mauves Bridge, cross it, then follow it and join the right bank of the Loire. Turn left, then take the cycle path at the Guinguette Mauves Balnéaire collectif MIT car park.

(4) Continue on the cycle path, with the Loire on your left. Pass several places where you can rest and/or eat. Reach Nantes and the Pont Willy Brant.

(5) Cross the bridge, then take the cycle path on the right as you exit. Ignore the Pont du Général Audibert bridge on your right, then turn left onto Rue de la Tour D'Auvergne and follow it to number 42.

(6) Turn left onto Rue Arthur III, then right onto the route you have already taken, and continue to the Hangar des Machines de l'Île (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 6 m - Les Machines de l'Île
  2. 1 : km 1.27 - alt. 8 m - Boulevard des Martyrs Nantais de la Résistance - Gare de Nantes-Pirmil
  3. 2 : km 3.47 - alt. 6 m - Léopold Sedar Senghor Bridge
  4. 3 : km 18.64 - alt. 5 m - La Pierre Percée port and open-air café
  5. 4 : km 20.46 - alt. 9 m - Guinguette Mauves Balnéaire collectif MIT - Gare de Mauves-sur-Loire
  6. 5 : km 35.51 - alt. 8 m - Willy Brant Bridge - Gare de Nantes
  7. 6 : km 37.86 - alt. 7 m - Rue Arthur III
  8. S/E : km 38.18 - alt. 6 m - Les Machines de l'Île

Notes

This route runs along the banks of the Loire and, on the way there and back up the Loire, follows the Loire à Vélo route on the left bank, which is made up of gravel and sand, or on the departmental road on the Loire embankment. This climb is less shaded and generally very exposed to the sun.

On the way back, the path is mainly asphalt on the right bank until Nantes and has many shaded sections.

The time indicated is based on an average speed of 27 km/h.

A puncture repair kit is a good thing to take with you on any bike ride on gravel paths.

Worth a visit

Take the time to observe the beauty of this natural river, home to many species of flora and fauna that thrive in this unique environment. You will find many viewpoints as well as places to rest and enjoy your ride.

Reviews and comments

4 / 5
Based on 2 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
3.5 / 5
User 25387862

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike that allows you to discover the surroundings of the Loire River.

Machine-translated

elisabeth63
elisabeth63

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The upstream section between the expressway and a row of trees isn't very pretty.
But when you reach the open section with the view of the Loire, it's fantastic.

Machine-translated

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