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Start from Mer station, accessible by TER on the line between Tours and Orléans. Take the main exit, on the side of platform 1, heading from Orléans to Tours (if arriving from the opposite direction, use the underpass).
‘Vélo’ signage is present at major junctions – except between (14) and (32).
(S/E) With your back to the station, continue straight ahead along Avenue du Maréchal Maunoury, using the clearly marked cycle path on the right-hand side of the pavement.
(1) At the roundabout, cross the D2152, continue straight ahead towards the police station and immediately ignore a road on the right.
(2) Go round the next roundabout to the right and take the second exit towards the ‘Loire à vélo’ cycle route.
(3) At the roundabout shortly afterwards, cross the D112 and turn right onto the cycle path running parallel to it.
(4) Shortly afterwards, turn left towards Blois. Carry on straight ahead along the D112, which is on your right.
(5) Cross the D112 carefully and immediately turn left towards Muides to take the bridge over the Loire, following the cycle path on your right-hand side.
(6) On the other side, turn left onto Avenue de la Loire. Then turn right onto this main road.
(7) You’ll come out onto the D951; follow it to the left, using the cycle path running parallel to it on your left-hand side.
(8) Continue along a gravel track, still running alongside the D951.
(9) Note the Church of Saint-Aignan on your left and carry straight on along the D951.
(10) Join a cycle path on the left-hand side of the road and carry on in the same direction for approximately 1.750 km.
(11) At a small ‘Stop’ sign, turn left towards Port de Cavereau. Head down Rue de la Loire to reach the riverbank very quickly (stunning view).
(12) Turn right and ride through the hamlet. Continue along a dirt track, then turn right onto Rue du Pont Noir and ride uphill.
(13) Join a cycle path alongside the D951 and follow it to the left. Carry on straight ahead for about 3 km, until you reach the town hall of Saint-Laurent-Nouan.
(14) Carry on for a few dozen metres and turn left into Rue de l’Église.
(15) Turn right, leaving the church on your left. Follow the main road, Rue des Juifs, and ignore any side roads.
(16) At the junction, turn left onto Route d’Orléans. At the Stop sign, cross the D951 carefully and follow it to the left.
(17) You’ll come to a cycle path on the right-hand side of the D951.
(18) The cycle path ends at the next junction: continue along the D951 itself, passing a sports complex on your right. Proceed with caution along this busy road for approximately 1.250 km.
(19) Turn left onto a minor road where the speed limit is 50 km/h (take care when crossing the D951).
(20) At the Stop sign, follow the D925 to the left. Again, take care on this busy road.
(21) At the first junction, after about 600 m, turn right onto a very small road. A little further on, ignore a road coming from the right and you’ll soon come to a Fork in the road.
(22) Keep to the right towards La Fin de l’Amérique (sic). Carry on straight ahead until the next junction.
(23) Then turn left. Ignore another road on the right and, at the next junction, carry on straight ahead.
(24) At the Stop sign, cross the D925 at the pedestrian crossing and turn right onto a cycle path running parallel to the road.
(25) At the end, take the bridge to cross the Loire.
Between (26) and (32), in the medieval town of Beaugency, you’ll follow several streets that are one-way for cars but open to cyclists.
(26) On the other side, go straight on towards the medieval town and pass by the chancel of Notre-Dame Church. Take the first left, Rue de la Coordonnerie, and head slightly uphill.
(27) Turn right into Rue du Change. Pass by the foot of the Renaissance-style Town Hall. Pass under the Clock Tower and, at the junction that comes up straight away, carry on straight ahead.
(28) Take the next left into Rue Porte Vendômoise. After about a hundred metres, turn left into Rue du Physicien Jacques Charles. At the end of the street, turn right into Rue du 8 Mai 1945, passing the market square on your left and the Church of Saint-Étienne on your right.
(29) At the Fork in the road, turn left into Rue du Chat qui Dort. Turn left onto this street and follow it to the end. Then turn left into Rue Porte Tavers. This will take you to the foot of the very tall Saint-Firmin bell tower (opposite, with a view of the castle’s keep).
(30) Carry on straight ahead (ignore the cycle sign indicating a right turn) and pass the statue of Joan of Arc on your left. Head slightly downhill to the entrance of the Abbey Church of Notre-Dame.
(31) Then turn right and head down a fairly steep slope.
(32) At the bottom, follow the quay along the banks of the Loire to the right and rejoin the cycle signs. Go straight on, pass the Théâtre de Verdure on your right and continue straight on along the Loire.
(33) At the end of the tarmac, carry on along a compacted track.
(34) At the junction, turn left. Then turn right as the path curves.
(35) At a three-way junction, carry on straight ahead towards Blois. The two tall cooling towers of the Saint-Laurent-des-Eaux nuclear power station can be seen ahead. Further on, turn right and head away from the Loire. Cross a stream and you’ll immediately come to a junction.
(36) Then turn left onto a tarmac road. Ignore a street coming from the right and carry on straight ahead.
(37) At a Fork in the road (Stop sign), keep left. Shortly afterwards, first turn right then left and head slightly uphill to reach the Loire embankment (a protective dyke against the river bursting its banks). Continue straight ahead.
(38) Pass a chicane and turn right onto a very narrow road, still on the embankment.
(39) At a junction, carry on straight on towards Blois. Keep going straight on until you reach the Muides bridge, which you crossed at the start of the route.
(5) Then turn right and take the cycle path running parallel to the D112.
(4) Turn right.
(3) Go round the roundabout on the right.
(2) Go round the next roundabout on the right as well.
(1) Cross the D2152 and follow Avenue du Maréchal Maunoury up to Mer railway station (S/E).
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