Orleans to Beaugency

0:00km – Begin at the start of Rue de la Republique facing south with your back towards the post office and shops of the raised Centre Commercial Place d’Arc. Head STRAIGHT ON south along Rue de la Republique. Be careful to stay at the side of the road away from the tram lines, or you can walk with your bike along this short section.

50m – TURN LEFT along Rue D’Alcase D’Lorraine (on this corner you will find Hotel D’Abeille). Ensure you cycle along the dedicated cycle path markings on the road, and take care at any intersections or crossings.

440m – Take care at the tram crossing (wait for the green light) then continue STRAIGHT ON for a few meters before you quickly TURN LEFT along Place Halma Grand (beware of traffic on this stretch of road).

0.5km – At the junction TURN RIGHT onto Boulevard Alexandra Martin. You can follow the cycle & bus lane but do beware this is a busy road. This is just a short busy section so if you wish you could walk along the pavement with your bike.

0.9km  - Continue STRAIGHT ON passing Theatre d’Orléans. As you approach the Theatre d’Orléans at the junction of Boulevard Astride Briand, the cycle path will lead back off the main road onto the pavement.

1km – After a very short stretch of cycle path on this pavement, use the crossing after the theatre to TURN LEFT to cross into the middle tree-lined center of Boulevard Pierre Segelle. Then once you are on this middle section, immediately TURN RIGHT to continue east along the Boulevard (which will become Avenue Jean Zay shortly after this point). Please note you are not turning off this main boulevard, simply making a quick left and right to make your way into the middle where the cycle lanes are. Signs will indicate that you are on the way to the Loire Cycle Path “Vers La Loire à Vélo”. There are two clear cycle paths, use the right one.

1.2km – At Place du 6 Juin 1944, TURN RIGHT (carefully using the series of crossings) to follow the sign reading “Vers La Loire à Vélo” along Boulevard Saint-Euverte. The rail line will be on your left hand side. As always, take care at crossings as you continue southwards.

1.5km – You will reach a large roundabout with gardens in the center. Head STRAIGHT ON at this roundabout carefully using the crossings and following the well marked cycle path. As you circle around the roundabout signs will indicate “Vers La Loire à Vélo” and “Chateauneuf” to indicate you are on the right track.

1.9km – Carefully use the crossing to cross Quai de Roi / Quai du Fort Alleaume with the river in front of you. TURN RIGHT once over the crossing to follow the cycle path with the river on your left hand side. Signs on the pavement will indicate you are on the cycle path.

Please note: You will continue on this section of path for a few km, please do try to follow the pavement signs which indicate the cycle path. At points it can be difficult to notice these, so if you stray off the designated cycle path section of pavement do not worry too much (you will see other cyclists doing the same!). Do however do take your time and take care of pedestrians, returning to the cycle path signs when you can.

3.1km – Cross the road at the bridge “Pont George V” carefully and continue STRAIGHT ON. (Do not cross the river, simply continue with the River on your left hand side)

3.8km – Continue STRAIGHT ON under the bridge “Pont du Maréchal Joffre”.

5.2km – When you reach Pont de l’Europe, use the crossing to reach the other side of the road, then TURN LEFT to cross the river on Pont de l@Europe using the cycle path, following the cycle path sign for Blois and Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Mesmin.

5.8km – At the end of Pont de l’Europe, take care and use the crossing to reach the opposite side of the road keeping the roundabout on your left hand side. TURN RIGHT onto Rue Gaston Deffie.

5.9km – After a very short stretch TURN LEFT down the quiet private and cycle access lane which bears left from the main road. A few houses will be on your left hand side, and a sign on the tarmac will indicate the cycle path. Pay attention at this junction as it is easy to go too far along the main road. The left turn is just before a wooden bench.

6.5km – Continue STRAIGHT ON at the junction. Please note that although this is still a very quiet lane, public traffic may approach from the left or ahead.

6.8km – At the roundabout BEAR RIGHT taking the second exit from the roundabout. The cycle path sign will lead you right slightly before this roundabout and is the safest way to cross. The cycle path will lead onto a pavement for a very short section before the pavement ends and you will cycle on a quiet country lane.

7.1km – Continue STRAIGHT ON under the underpass.

9.1km – TURN LEFT when you see the cycle path sign for Blois and Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Mesmin, after a few meters pass through the barrier which prevents cars passing through.

9.6km – Ignore right hand turn with house and gated entrance and keep going STRAIGHT ON.

9.8km – At the 3 way junction TURN RIGHT to cross the bridge (stay mindful of any traffic here), the signs will lead to Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Mesmin. Once over the bridge a slight right will take you back on to a dedicated cycle path running parallel to the road.

10.1km – TURN RIGHT at the end of the Ironwork fence following the cycle path sign.

10.2km – BEAR LEFT at the sports ground continuing on cycle path.

10.3km – As you reach the top of this small hill look out for a gap in the wall and TURN RIGHT through the gap following the cycle path sign. The path will then curve gently through some gardens before leading to a quiet lane with some houses, car parking, and business units, before you will have to BEAR LEFT towards a stop sign.

10.6km – Stop at the stop sign then TURN RIGHT along Rue de Verdun.

10.9km – Take care at stop sign and continue STRAIGHT ON.

11.6km – At the roundabout take the first exit to continue STRAIGHT ON.

12.2km – Ignore left turn and continue STRAIGHT ON along cycle path.

13.1km – Ignore left turn and continue STRAIGHT ON along cycle path. After this point there are some roads leading off the main cycle path, however you should continue straight on the main path with the river on your right hand side.

14.9km – A gravel path leads down to the river to a nature reserve area on your right hand side (sign reads “Aire des Isles – Sentier de découverte”). You don't need to take this turn off but this is a good mid point for a picnic and you can watch bountiful bird life on the islands in the river.

18.4km – A sign on your left will indicate La Verdaille. TURN RIGHT at the 4 way intersection here, slightly downhill.

22.3km – CONTINUE STRAIGHT at the junction to stay on the path parallel to the river.

22.7km – You will reach a junction at a bridge with traffic signals. At the green light TURN RIGHT to cross the bridge towards the small town of Meung-Sur-Loire. Take care as this bridge is too narrow for a cycle lane so you will be cycling on the road.

23.2km - Once over the bridge, look out for the cycle path moving off the main road slightly to the right, then you will quickly reach a crossing on your left. TURN LEFT over this crossing and follow the cycle path through the small gap in the chain fence. As you cycle on, the basketball courts will be on your left and a car parking area to your right.

23.3km – At the end of the car park, pay attention not to follow the cycle path signs ahead through the gardens. Instead, TURN RIGHT.

23.3km – After just a few meters TURN LEFT onto the busier street Quai du Mail. Take care of traffic.

23.3km – Immediately TURN LEFT again (once over the small bridge) on to the quiet road Chemin de la Fontaine. Signs will indicate “Beaugency”, and the stream will be on your left hand side.

24.5km – Just before the road bears right, TURN LEFT off the road onto the smooth gravel cycle path, continuing parallel to the stream, with the stream on your left hand side.

26.4km – The path will re-join the main River Loire. Continue STRAIGHT ON (sign-posted “Blois and Beaugency”). Please be aware after this point there can be a few bumps in the mostly smooth path, so it is worth a little extra care.

28.3km – After leading into more wooded areas, the path will pass through some areas with car parking. After a long traffic free stretch, be aware there may some vehicles here. CONTINUE STRAIGHT along the main path.

29.4km – At the T-Junction TURN LEFT

31.2km – Cross the small stone bridge and very soon after TURN RIGHT as you reach the river car parking area. Pass through the bollards which restrict access to the car park.

31.3km – TURN LEFT onto Quai Dunois. Take care as you have now reached Beaugency and this public road may be busy. There is a short section of cycle lane but this seems to stop mid-way along the road here. You are very close to the end of the trail so to avoid the busy junction ahead you may wish to dismount the bike and walk on the pavement to the next crossing.

31.6km – At the 4 way junction of Pont de Beaugency, go STRAIGHT ON where Grand Hotel de l’Abbaye, the end point of today's ride, is immediately in front of you. Beaugency is a pleasant and quiet small town with many historic sights, plus relaxed bars, restaurants and shops to unwind in. A stroll along the river is a great way to stretch the legs and view some more of the plentiful bird-life.