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Savennières

Wide river meadows provide the landscape in this picturesque section of the river, downstream from Angers. The largest island in the Loire, Chalonnes, is found here. Above the river, the schist hillsides are home to famous vineyards, châteaux and villages full of history.
Distance: 50 km.
Additional technical information: tarmac or reinforced gravel/sand surface

STAGE 1: Starting from Savennières

A picturesque village with a rich heritage, this is one of the most important names in Anjou winemaking, with its prestige appellations, Coulée-de-Serrant and Roche-aux-Moines.

Where to sleep:
in Savennières
     - Guesthouse owned by Mme Joëlle Perrault-Meskens
at La Possonnière
     - Guesthouse owned by M and Mme de Beru
Where to eat:
     - Guinguette de la Possonnière
Places to see or visit:
     - the church of Saint-Pierre in Savennières

Bicycle hire or repair:
in La Pommeraye:
     - Michel Thomas, Camping La Guyonnière – Tel: 02 41 77 78 05 -

Between Savennières and Montjean-sur-Loire
	ON YOUR WAY Before setting off on the Loire by Bicycle trail, make a detour to the Ile de Béhuard, in the middle of the River Loire. Then, not far from Savennières, go down to the harbour at La Possonnière to enjoy the calm sparkle of the waters. After crossing several branches of the Loire on the specially built bridges, you traverse the largest island in the Loire: Chalonnes-sur-Loire.

Montjean-sur-Loire

STAGE 2: Montjean-sur-Loire

Built on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Loire, this little town is seeing its old harbour revive with the traditional river boats, some offering trips with commentary by a professional fisherman.

Where to sleep in Montjean-sur-Loire :
     - Auberge de la Loire
     - In a guesthouse, "les Cèdres" chez Mme Wittevert
Where to eat in Montjean-sur-Loire: Find
Places to see or visit in Montjean-sur-Loire:
     - Ecomusée Loire Angevine
     - Trip on the Loire on board the Montjeannaise and the Ligériade

Between Montjean and Saint-Florent

ON YOUR WAY

As you leave Montjean-sur-Loire, the trail moves away from the banks of the Loire. Temporary signs are in place to guide you across the Tau valley. Here, you may well spot herons, egrets, cormorants or mallard ducks.

Where to sleep:
in Ingrandes-sur-Loire:
     - Guesthouse owned by Mme Thérèse Douge
     - Hôtel-Restaurant Le Lion d'or
at Le Mesnil-en-Vallée:
     - Hôtel au Poisson d'Argent

Saint-Florent-le-Vieil
	STAGE 3: Saint-Florent-le-Vieil On the promontory of Mont Glone above the Loire, this village is reached along the embankment. The old quarter has retained its steep, winding streets and some vestiges of its walls. Where to sleep: Find Where to eat: Find Places to see or visit: - the Abbey church - The Museum of local history and the Vendée Wars

Liré

STAGE 4: Liré

Overlooking the Loire, this charming village was Joachim du Bellay's birthplace. It contains a museum commemorating the poet and the literature of the Renaissance.

Where to sleep in Bouzillé
     - Camping des Babins
Where to eat:
     - Le Romarin
Places to see or visit:
     - The Joachim du Bellay Museum
     - Parc de la Turmelière (ruins of the château owned by Joachim du Bellay's family).

Order the guidebook
"La Loire de Montsoreau à l'océan", Edition Siloë