The River Loire Cycle Route

Author updates

Stage 6 p85, bottom of page)

A new cycle bridge over the river Renaison in Roanne has led to a change in the route. Where the route bears L before a railway bridge, continue ahead under railway and cross new bridge over Renaison then bear R on cycle track through Place Aristede Briand to reach stage end by W end of Loire bridge in Roanne.

Stage 7 p88, beginning of stage description)

The new route into Roanne ends at a different place to previously. From new route start point by W end of Loire bridge in Roanne, follow Quai Commandant de Fourcauld N using cycle track R beside river. Continue over lock at entrance to Roanne port then fork R on cycle track along flood dyke Allée Amiral Merveilleux du Vignaux), re-joining original route.

Stage 13 p123, beginning of ‘combined route’ description)

A new stretch of towpath cycle track has been constructed at Bannay. The route no longer turns L on bridge over canal into Bannay. It now continues along towpath passing Bannay on opposite side of canal, re-joining original route soon after Bannay lock.

Stage 22 p199, at end of route description)

From five-way junction in Pl du Lycée, go ahead into Rue Hanneloup and continue to dual-carriageway Bvd Maréchal Foch) with tram tracks down the centre. Cross tram tracks and turn L. Pass Foch-Haras tram stop then turn R at next crossroads Bvd du Roi René), re-joining original route.

River Loire Cycle Route: Stage 2

The 1.14km long Taulhac tunnel between Le Riou and Coubon Valhac p55, the fifth tunnel on the Voie Verte du Velay) is closed for four months from 18 Mar–19 Jul 24 while work is carried out to strengthen the tunnel walls and roof.

A partially waymarked diversion leaves the route in Le Riou, 800m before tunnel mouth and 150m after exit from fourth tunnel. Turn R ascending through Le Riou then after end of village turn L at T-junction D188) and descend steadily to reach roundabout. Go ahead first exit, sp Coubon) then after 150m, turn R Rue du Château) beside sign marking beginning of Le Puy-en-Velay.

Follow this road ascending past edge of Taulhac then bear R onto Rue Antoine Valette D38). Pass under motorway, then after 100m fork L Ave Louis Jonget) and turn second R Ch de Buisson). Go ahead over crossroads D38 again) into Rte de la Croix de Valhory. Where this bends sharply L, go ahead on narrow no-through-road sp Les Farges). After 100m, cross bridge over Voie Verte du Velay on route of old railway with N mouth of Taulhac tunnel visible R) and turn immediately L downhill to rejoin stage 2 and continue into Coubon Valhac.

This diversion adds 2.5km distance and 80m ascent to the stage. This can be avoided by continuing ahead at beginning of Le Puy-en-Velay ie not turning R into Rue du Château) then bearing L third exit) at next roundabout and following main road downhill into centre of Le Puy-en-Velay, thus missing out the section of cycle route through Brives-Charensac.

Stage 10

Stage 10 p108). The excursion from Verville lock to Nevers ends at Place Mossé, opposite the northern end of Nevers bridge. In this square you will find Café Vélo, a café with overnight accommodation that specialises in serving cyclists. A tyre pump, basic tools and water bottle re-fill are available.

Temporary diversions (April 25)

Stage LV17V Muides-sur-Loire bridge closure

Work began in February 25, and will continue until the beginning of June 2025. Traffic is alternating for a large part of the worksite with pedestrian and cycle traffic maintained. However, a complete closure is scheduled from 12 to 25 May 2025 inclusive, with day and night closure to all traffic. This bridge provides access to the alternative route via Chambord. There is no practical alternative route and between these dates cyclists need to follow Stage 17 on the N bank of the Loire directly to Blois, missing out Chambord.

Stage LV19 Montlouis-sur-Loire diversion

Major road works in Montlouis-sur-Rhone will close Rue Foch for a period of approximately six months from 10 March 2025 to mid September. An alternative route is waymarked.

Stage LV21 weak bridge near Candes St Martin

A bridge over a side stream beside the river Vienne between Orval and Candes St Martin has been closed after engineering tests found it to be in a poor condition. A long-waymarked diversion follows local roads V5, D118 and D7, although a better diversion would be to follow D118 directly from Orval. This diversion is of indefinite time length.

Stage LV22V Lac de Maine diversion

A damaged pipe carrying water into Lac de Maine is causing flooding, which has closed the cycle route near to the PAVOA water sports centre. From February 2025 a waymarked temporary diversion has been instigated between the Pyramid and campsite in Parc du Lac de Maine. This diversion is of indefinite time length.

Stage LV24 Le Fourneau route closure

From January to December 2025 the C203 local road has been closed for structural reasons where it runs alongside the Fourneau quarry. A waymarked diversion follows the riverbank from La Rabotière 22km) to Le Fourneau village 28km). While this diversion is initially temporary for one-year), it may turn out to be a permanent route change.

Stage LV26 Nantes construction work

For three years from January 2025 to December 2027 major construction work on a new bridge and tramlines in the centre of Nantes is causing disruption to traffic. The cycle route following Quai de la Fosse is being maintained while the work goes on but may be subject to occasional temporary diversions.

Travelling with a cycle on Eurostar

After 3 years since they ‘temporarily’ ceased carrying cycles because of covid, Eurostar have begun carrying them again, but with a very limited service and with conditions of carriage that are not attractive to touring cyclists. Before covid, all trains to Paris and Brussels carried up to six cycles, two fully assembled and four dismantled, in specially designed fibreglass bike cases. Eurostar provided the cases and tools to dismantle/reassemble bikes in an area dedicated to this procedure.

The reinstated service carries bikes only on trains to Paris not Brussels) on selected departures from London between 07.55 and 15.31 or from Paris between 11.13 and 18.13. Fully assembled bikes are not being carried. Four dismantled bikes can be carried, but cyclists must deliver their bikes already boxed to the baggage counter in either London or Paris. Pre-booking is compulsory and riders must now travel on the same train as their bikes. After completing the journey, boxes must be collected directly from the train and cycles reassembled on the platform.

This is far from ideal, and until Eurostar fully reinstate their previous cycle carriage policy, cyclists are recommended to take their bikes by plane, ferry or Euroshuttle when heading to the European mainland. The situation could potentially change.

The Cycling UK website www.cyclinguk.org has a page dedicated to Eurostar cycle carriage policy, which is updated regularly to contain any new information.