La Loire walks

This is a challenging hike with significant elevation gain, but the beautiful panoramas and views of this little-known region are well worth the effort.

This excursion takes you from Arlempdes, listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France since 1999, to Saint-Arcons-de-Barges... for a particularly pleasant stroll.

This hike starts in Coubon, a village that marks the southern boundary of the Puy-en-Velay basin and opens onto the Loire Gorges.The route makes a wide loop around the Serre de la Fare, a site that was the subject of fierce debate between environmentalists and developers over a dam project that was abandoned in 1991.The hike takes place in wild surroundings with remarkable views of the Loire and the Devès plateau.

Discover unspoilt nature south of the Nantes conurbation. A circuit that winds along a stream and the Loire, through marshes and over the heights of the Roche Ballue quarry. You will discover Nantes and its conurbation. You will pass through picturesque little villages in unspoilt countryside.

This route runs beneath the watchful eye of the Château d'Artias, perched on its rocky spur. From its ruins, you will discover a unique view of the loops of the Loire as it flows through the dome-shaped hills typical of the region, known as knolls.

A raised walkway showcasing the various attractions of the Saumur region: the Loire, troglodyte dwellings, vineyards alternating with wooded and marshy areas. Please note that the trail is impassable in the event of flooding of the Loire and/or heavy rainfall.

This walk offers a beautiful view of the hilltop village of Arlempdes (pronounced "Arlende"). Listed as one of "The Most Beautiful Villages in France", it occupies a stunning site on a rocky spur overlooking the wild gorges of the Loire.

Starting at the town hall square in Couëron, this circuit quickly leaves the village to reach Lake Beaulieu, offering some beautiful views of the town. After circling the lake and perhaps observing a few birds, it ends along the Loire, which you reach via footpaths. Here you will find Jean-Luc Courcoult's "La maison dans la Loire" (The House in the Loire) and the "Tour à Plomb" (Plumb Tower). Suitable for all seasons, this route is particularly pleasant in the low winter light.

From Chaumont to Candé (an ideal spot for a picnic) along the banks of the Loire and its tributary, the Beuvron. The return journey takes you along a beautiful forest path, through fields and around the Domaine de Chaumont.

A free hike allowing you to discover the different sources of the Loire: "the authentic", "the true" and "the geographical". After climbing Mont Gerbier des Joncs, enjoy the 3km of this easy route.

Megaliths, priory, chapel, church, sailors' houses; the history of Thoureil can be discovered through its buildings and landscapes, linked in their history by the Loire. Hilly route.

The trail starts at the port of Lavau-sur-Loire and takes you to the Observatory with a magnificent view of the marshes and the Loire. The walk then continues to the Étangs du Trou Bleu, a former blue granite quarry. Next, enjoy a country walk to the Fresnier marsh with its canals populated by storks.

Second stage of a complete journey along the Chemin de Stevenson between Le-Puy-en-Velay and Alès. It's at Monastier-sur-Gazeille, and thus with this second stage, that Stevenson's real route begins. From this point on, the route follows the GR®70 (Red and White markings). Please note: the markings have been slightly modified from those shown in violet on the IGN map (in particular to avoid a few short stretches of road).

From hillsides to valleys to the banks of the Loire. A beautiful walk punctuated by a rich landscape, natural and architectural heritage.

A short, easy loop to discover the Guétin Canal Bridge over the Allier and the Bec d'Allier (confluence of the Loire and Allier rivers), starting from the village of Gimouille.

A very pleasant route, mostly along the banks of the Loire. Good view of the Château de Sully and the Basilica of Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire.

A very pleasant hike on a varied, well-shaded route, which will take you past lava flows, two castles and Île Neuve. As a main course, there are a few nice climbs to enjoy.

A walk to discover the architectural heritage of Tours. Must-see sites, but also pretty, discreet places that I have discovered over the years.

The circular route starts in Aurec-sur-Loire, following the banks of the Loire and the footbridges of the "Saut du Chien" before climbing up to the village of Malvalette via thePR® "Le Pont d'Angelard". Pass by the Sainte-Reine Chapel on theGR® de Pays des Gorges de la Loire, which takes you back to Aurec via the Rivoire stream valley.

Located in the Saint-Mesmin nature reserve, at the confluence of the Loire and Loiret rivers, the Pointe de Courpain is known for its cool climate and exceptionally diverse wildlife. You will never tire of admiring the mills on the Loiret river as they change with the seasons.

The Trois Ports hike is signposted and extends to Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert. It is an easy walk along a beautiful path on the banks of the Loire.

Enjoy wild, surprising and charming landscapes on a historical walk starting at the foot of the medieval fortress, overlooking the Loire and passing through a forest steeped in legend.

A short walk along the Loire and through the valley, then along the hillside through the vineyards of Sancerre, following the old railway line connecting Cosne-sur-Loire to Bourges. Beautiful views of the river, the towns of Saint-Satur and Ménétréol, the town of Sancerre, the vineyards and the side canal. Best done in spring or autumn.

In the heart of the Saumur Champigny AOC, between vineyards, wines and troglodyte dwellings. Discover the village of Souzay, its heritage and the diversity of our Loire landscapes.

A route to walk alongside the Loire River as it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. In Saint-Nazaire-Plage, the seaside promenade is very popular with Nazairians. It is open to the Loire estuary and its maritime traffic. Further on, on the beautiful coastal path, open to the south, and shaded by pine trees, you sometimes have the feeling of being on the edge of the Mediterranean. ⚠️ Hiking poles prohibited on the Nazairian coastal path

Hike through the Baumette floodplains, leading to the confluence of the Loire and Maine rivers. N.B. This hike is only possible during low water periods, from May to October-November. In any case, check in advance.

Stream: discover the city's historical, architectural and cultural heritage (and even its gastronomic heritage, with its small and large restaurants).

A hilly route along the hillside through the vineyards. Home to a magnificent 14th-century Romanesque church and the Manoir de Morains, where Marguerite d'Anjou is said to have died. Dampierre-sur-Loire is also renowned as a commune in the Saumur-Champigny appellation. Please note: section along the Loire River impassable in case of flooding.

This pleasant walk starts from the Yves Laurent promenade, runs along the Loire and passes through a small, pleasant park with a pond (Clos Saint-Julien).

This route, which takes you up the Loire Gorges for several kilometres, follows a few unmarked paths in a wild and unspoilt environment. Several descents to the banks of the Loire are possible (swimming, fishing) and are indicated in the description. The return via the plateau offers beautiful views.

A beautiful walk offering views of the Loire upstream from the Villerest Dam, with a glimpse of the Château de la Roche. It is not particularly difficult, but half of it is along the road, especially between Pinay, Saint-Jodard and the return to La Vourdiat. The banks of the Loire offer some good spots for a picnic and a quiet break (so please respect the fishermen who are also enjoying the same setting).

The route is varied, sometimes overlooking the Loire or running along its banks, sometimes taking forest paths or paths through fields. A superb opportunity to get some fresh air and relax while reliving a page of history.

This circular will take you along the left bank of the Loire to Châteauneuf-sur-Loire. You will cross the castle grounds and its arboretum. The return to Jargeau is via the right bank. This circular route is known as thePR® des deux ponts (Two BridgesPR® ), modified to include access to the Loire Marine Museum and a stroll through the arboretum and the pretty Rhododendron Avenue.

This route is the first stage of a complete journey along the Chemin de Stevenson between Le-Puy-en-Velay and Alès. Please note that the signposting to follow the Chemin de Stevenson has been modified since 2016. On this first stage, following road repairs on the Le Puy bypass, this description follows this modified itinerary.

This beautiful Loire city certainly deserves a more in-depth visit, here it is offered a short discovery loop, a good option for a stopover on a journey between Anjou and Touraine regions.

A 13-stage journey along the famous route described by Robert Louis Stevenson in his 1878 travel notes. This tour follows the complete route from le Puy-en-Velay to Alès.

The city of Tours has three trees and a garden classified as remarkable by the A.R.B.R.E.S. association (Arbres Remarquables: Bilan, Recherche, Études et Sauvegarde - Remarkable Trees: Assessment, Research, Studies and Preservation). Discover them on this walk, which will also introduce you to other beautiful trees in Tours and several small and large public gardens. The tram connects the starting and finishing points.

This is a very pretty route in the Oudonnaise countryside, featuring the Pilardière communal estate and the Hâvre valley. The route consists almost entirely of paths and trails, with very little tarmac. It is accessible in all weathers, except along the banks of the Hâvre during periods of high water. Many sections are tree-lined, making it particularly pleasant in hot weather. Depending on the season, you may be able to admire magnificent carpets of cyclamen at the foot of the trees on the Pilardière estate.

Alternating between meadows, forests, ponds and farmland, this route presents no difficulties. It begins and ends majestically on the banks of the Loire. This is a shortened version of the former "PR® des Rauches" with 76% of the route on unpaved paths.

In Montjean-sur-Loire, the path that winds through the Châteaupanne Sensitive Natural Area takes you back in time. The path goes deep into the woods, runs along the banks of the Loire or follows old stone walls. Further on, you climb a coral reef, now a limestone quarry, where the sea was 400 million years ago. Further on, a strange fortress takes you back to the era of the lime burners.

A hike offering great contrasts between the open fields of the first part and the wild banks of the Loire in the second part, with its unspoilt natural site known as "Entre les levées". Proposed by the tourist office as part of the Randonnée des Châtaignes (Chestnut Hike), this route was very popular with hikers.

A superb circular hike allowing you to discover Montsoreau, Fontrevaud and Candes-Saint-Martin in their natural setting and localities located in remarkable sites. The circular hike is done anti-clockwise on the hillside to enjoy a pleasant route through the woods and panoramic views of the right bank of the Loire.

Before or after your visit to the Château d'Ussé, which is rumoured to have inspired Charles Perrault's 'Sleeping Beauty', I suggest a lovely circular route along the Indre and then the Loire. There is the option of stopping for a bite to eat in Bréhémont. Remarkable views of the château.

This loop offers a chance to discover the rivers that flow through the south of Angers, and the vineyards that have colonised the area. In three stages, starting in Angers, you first travel down the Maine as far as Bouchemaine, then follow the north bank of the Loire, with an incursion onto the island of Béhuard. The first stage ends at Montjean-sur-Loire, on the back roads around the island of Chalonnes. The next day, the route heads for Chalonnes-sur-Loire and the Corniche Angevine before descending to the Layon. Stop off at Beaulieu-sur-Layon. Finally, we follow the Layon again as far as Faye d'Anjou. After the Layon hillsides, you enter the Aubence hillsides, whose wines are no less renowned. After Brissac-Quincé and its astonishing château, you return to the Loire, passing through the villages along its banks until you reach Les Ponts-de-Cé. Crossing over to the north bank, we leave the vineyards for Angers, which we return to after three busy days.

The first stage of the cycle loop in the Anjou vineyards, this route joins the Loire, first following the Maine to its confluence, then running alongside the river, passing under the Savennières vineyards. A short stop in Béhuard is a must to discover this unique place, then return to the north bank to Port Giraud, where you cross one of the branches of the Loire to take the small roads of the Île de Chalonnes and reach Montjean-sur-Loire, the end of this first day.

This is the third stage of a cycle tour in southern Anjou. The route first follows the Layon between Beaulieu and Faye d'Anjou, then heads towards Brissac-Quincé through forests and vineyards. Leaving the imposing castle behind, you then join the string of villages that line the Loire, before descending to Les Ponts-de-Cé. Crossing the river marks the end of the vineyards and the entrance to the Angers conurbation, the end of the three-day journey.

Starting from Montjean-sur-Loire, the second stage first follows the river upstream, passing by the Île de Chalonnes. In this town, you cross to the south bank to climb the Corniche Angevine, which you follow for a few kilometres before descending into the Layon valley. Following the greenway that runs alongside the river, you will reach the Pont Barré, the site of a battle in the Vendée and the end of this stage.

Nature and culture go hand in hand on the banks of the Loire, between Fourneaux-Plage and Saint-Ay. The landscapes of the Loire, both at water level and higher up, are so beautiful, sometimes breathtaking, that it is easy to understand why the bishops of Orléans and famous men of letters came here on holiday.

TheGR®®3offers beautiful views of the royal river and its islands. Running along the right bank of the Loire, it reveals some vestiges of the Loire's maritime past, the cellars where wine was stored and the wine press house, not to mention the magnificent church of La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin overlooking the river.