Along the Loire and through the narrow streets of Saint-Thibault

Park at Quai de Loire Hervé Méhun, near ‘La Loire à vélo’.

(S/E) Head north-east along the Quai de la Loire. You’ll cross Rue Capitaine Jacques Combes on your left. Take the next left onto Ruelle de la Tour et du Puits Commun. Join Rue Capitaine Jacques Combes again and follow it to the right for about fifty metres. Then turn right onto Ruelle Simon Claude Durand.

(1) At the end, follow the Quai de la Loire to the left and walk alongside the river on your right. Cross Rue des Ponts with care and continue straight ahead.

(2) At a fork in the road, leave the quay and take a path on the right which runs parallel to the quay. At the next fork in the road, turn slightly left. When you reach the canal, turn left and go under the road bridge.

(3) Take the footbridge over the lock to cross the canal (Saint-Satur junction). On the other side, turn right. Walk along the canal on your right, then follow the Loire. Keep going straight on along the river and pass the swimming pool.

(4) At the next junction, turn left. You’ll come out onto a small road; follow it to the left and pass the swimming pool again. A little further on, pass the entrance to a campsite.

(5) Shortly afterwards, before the bridge over the canal, turn right onto Chemin des Cailleries. Turn right straight away, heading due west, along this path.

(6) At the end, turn left and follow the Canal Latéral à la Loire on your right. Cross the bridge over the perpendicular canal (the Saint-Satur junction again). On the other side, turn left and follow the canal on your left. You’ll come out onto Rue du Canal de Jonction; follow it to the left.

(7) At the next junction, at the corner of a playground, turn right onto Allée du Port de Plaisance. At the end, first turn right then left to cross Rue des Ponts D2 and enter the alleyway opposite. You’ll come out onto Rue des Champs; follow it to the right. After about fifty metres, take Rue de la Vauvise on the left. At the end, turn left and you’ll immediately reach the parking spot (S/E).

Water point and toilets after the bridge, before the campsite (facilities provided by ‘Loire à Vélo’).

When the flow of the Loire is lower, you can see the foundations of the old Roman bridge (1).

In summer (or on fine days, depending on the manager), the ‘Ligérien’ is open near the swimming pool (which is open in July and August).

Canoe hire and horse riding are available near the swimming pool.

The route is suitable for cycling, except at the tip of the canal, which must be crossed on foot (take care).