Firing zone: traffic interruption on the Long Road.
On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, a detour via poor forest roads due to military manoeuvres (6 a.m. to midnight).
< Forêt Ermenonville
Forêt Ermenonville >
Alternative route Eurovelo3, recommended by CTE
This connection allows you to reach the old Senlis station from Chantilly-Gouvieux station, which is well served by numerous TER trains: Paris Gare du Nord, Creil, Compiègne, Amiens.
< Chantilly
Senlis >
Link route recommended by CTE
This stage, alternating greenways or similar and village crossings, is a real pleasure and also invites cultural breaks : the spinning mill museum in Euskirchen and the open-air museum in Kommern – a real journey into the past, from the 15th. S to the present day.
After Hergarten, gateway to the l’Eife National Park, fields and meadows give way to deciduous forests and wilder nature. A fine descent leads to Heimbach, which can be spotted in the distance by its medieval castle. The route winds back from the River Rur, sometimes on the right bank, sometimes on the left.
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Itinerary Eurovelo3, recommended by CTE
So where can you take a cultural break? The châteaux of Blois? Chaumont with its International Garden Festival, which is a real visual and olfactory treat? Or Clos Lucé, with its exhibition on Leonardo da Vinci? Not to mention the many other châteaux, manor houses and parks. The choice is endless!
From Blois, there are 550 km of cycle paths to discover the châteaux of the Loire Valley.
< Blois
Tours >
Itinerary Eurovelo3, recommended by CTE
→ click on map to go to a stage
De Namur à Tours par l'Eurovélo3
The 4 stages of the section « Loire Valley – Blois – Tours »
After Blois, the route moves away from the Loire. It crosses the River Cosson and winds its way through hamlets and farmland. After Candé-sur-Beuvron, it rejoins the Loire and follows it as far as Chaumont-sur-Loire.
The Chaumont-sur-Loire estate, a mecca for landscape design, is well worth spending at least a day exploring to appreciate the diversity of its contemporary works.
On this stretch, the Loire is more of a sense than a sight. The route is pleasant and green, with a few gentle climbs.
The route passes right by the Clos Lucé, just after the winding descent leading to Amboise. Now is the time to dismount and explore the incredible machines devised by Leonardo da Vinci.
This route, which runs mostly on a dedicated cycle path, follows the Loire River as far as Lussault-sur-Loire. It then heads across the plateau, passing through hamlets and farmland, before reaching Montlouis-sur-Loire.
This stage is a tribute to Bacchus, with its vineyards and numerous wine cellars.
The route follows a very pleasant greenway and offers stunning views of the Loire.
Little by little, the hustle and bustle of the city grows as we approach the historic centre of Tours.
The route takes in North Rhine-Westphalia, passing through Cologne, Bonn and Aachen. The origins of these towns date back to antiquity, and they have managed to preserve their heritage. Romanesque art flourishes here, and the Gothic cathedrals are imposing.
For the first fifty kilometres, the route is guided by the Rhine, before heading west towards the wooded hills and protected wilderness of the North Eifel.
In Germany, EuroVélo 3 is signposted D-Route 7.
< Cologne (Köln)
Aix-la-Chapelle >
Itinerary Eurovelo3, recommended by CTE
→ click on map to go to a stage
De Namur à Tours par l'Eurovélo3
The 4 stages of the section « From the Rhine Valley to Aachen »
Cologne is a very touristy, dynamic and cosmopolitan city. As well as its impressive Gothic cathedral, numerous Romanesque churches and colourful houses with pointed gables, the city boasts buildings with bold contemporary architecture, including the three crane-shaped towers in the Kraushaüser district.
From Cologne to Bonn, the route follows the meandering course of the Rhine, where the ecologically valuable flood meadows are increasingly threatened by urban sprawl.
Bonn is the former capital of West Germany (1948-1991). The Bethoveen House, the botanical garden at Poppelsdorf Castle and the architecturally stunning Bundeskunsthalle museum are good reasons to visit the city.
You leave the banks of the Rhine at Mehlem and climb towards the Eifel massif. A little before Meckenheim, the town of a thousand apple trees, you pass Gudenau Castle surrounded by its wide moat, and at Rheinbach, you enjoy its pretty little historic centre with its traditional half-timbered houses.
This stage, alternating greenways or similar and village crossings, is a real pleasure and also invites cultural breaks : the spinning mill museum in Euskirchen and the open-air museum in Kommern – a real journey into the past, from the 15th. S to the present day.
After Hergarten, gateway to the l’Eife National Park, fields and meadows give way to deciduous forests and wilder nature. A fine descent leads to Heimbach, which can be spotted in the distance by its medieval castle. The route winds back from the River Rur, sometimes on the right bank, sometimes on the left.
At Nideggen, a diversion to the castle offers a breathtaking view of the Rur valley. Then a verdant sequence between forests and open meadows.
Körnelimünster, a former abbey town and place of pilgrimage, has preserved its medieval historic centre with half-timbered houses and quarry stone.
You can reach Aix-la-Chapelle via a route on shared roads or via the Vennbahn – click on the “variant lanes” pictogram.
At Briare, the cycle route joins the Loire à vélo / EuroVélo 6 route, and they run together as far as Tours.
Briare is the gateway to the Unesco World Heritage Loire landscape, with its growing number of historic sites, the river with its marshes, meadows, islands and sandy shores where colonies of birds nest, and the revival of inland waterway transport, with “gabarre” and “futreau” boats gliding along the water’s edge.
< Briare
Orléans >
Itinerary Eurovelo3, recommended by CTE
→ click on map to go to a stage
De Nevers à l'atlantique par l'EuroVelo 6
The 5 stages of the section « Loire Valley – Briare – Orléans »
In Briare, take the time to watch the boats passing on Europe’s longest canal bridge, stroll through the town in search of mosaic decorations, or follow the “14 bridges and 7 locks” trail.
This stage, away from the Loire, alternates between greenways and small roads, woods, fields and villages, allowing you to discover the imposing castle of Brisson-sur-Loire. Gien, largely destroyed during the Second World War, has managed to preserve its authenticity thanks to an identical reconstruction.
The route first runs alongside the Loire, then turns inland towards Saint-Florent, where the view is superb. It then descends towards Lion-en-Sullias, where you should not miss the kilometre marker on the D951 indicating that you are equidistant from the source of the Loire (Mont Gerbier des Joncs) and Saint-Nazaire. It then leads to the greenway, where you can observe the many birds on the gravel banks in the middle of the river. Osprey? Garden warbler? Little egret? In Sully-sur-Loire, you will pass by the foot of its magnificent castle, which is reflected in the water of its wide moat.
Starting from Sully-sur-Loire, the Loire Valley is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The route, mostly on dedicated lanes, follows the meandering river. It passes close to Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire, home to Fleury Abbey, known as the “Romanesque basilica”. A short detour is necessary to discover the remarkable mosaic dome of the Carolingian oratory in Germigny-des-Prés. The route then joins the Chastaing promenade in Châteauneuf-sur-Loire.
This short stage on the left bank, with its changing landscapes between sky and earth, leads to the lively town of Jargeau, renowned for its medieval quarter, its andouille sausage and its carnival.
The route along the Loire embankment, always on the left bank, winds its way between shared roads and greenways, offering sumptuous scenery in all seasons.
In summer, before arriving in Orléans, a swim at the leisure centre on Charlemagne Island will delight children and adults alike!
Alternative to the section « Loire Valley – Briare – Orléans »
The Canal d’Orléans connects Montargis, known as the Venice of Gâtinais, to Orléans, an essential stop in the Loire Valley. The cycle route is away from the main tourist routes and winds its way along the meandering canal between forests, ponds and farms.
For more information, visit: Development of the cycle route along the Orléans Canal.
This section can also be the starting point for the loop known as “Le Loiret au fil de l’eau”, which includes the Briare Canal, the Loire Valley and the Orléans Canal.
The CyloTransEurope association remains in favour of EuroVelo 3 following the Orléans Canal.
53 km long, the Briare navigable canal provides a link between the Seine basin and the Loire basin.
This route, which is very pleasant in dry weather, provides an opportunity to meet lock-keepers, boatmen and tourist boats.
Numerous structures linked to inland waterway transport are dotted along the route. At Rogny-les-Sept-écluses you can see the remains of 7 successive locks.
In Briare, as well as the famous canal bridge over the Loire, don’t miss the Maison des deux Marines, which presents the history of the Loire and canal marinas.
< Montargis
Briare >
Itinerary Eurovelo3, recommended by CTE
→ click on map to go to a stage
De Namur à Tours par l'Eurovélo3
The 2 stages of the section « Briare Canal »
From Montargis to Chatillon-Coligny along the towpath. You will cycle in the wake of the tourist boats.
In Montbouy, you can take a detour to visit the Arboretum des Barres in Nogent-sur-Vernisson.
From Châtillon-Coligny to Briare via Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses and Ouzouer-sur-Trézée. In Briare, the canal bridge allows boats to reach the lateral canal to the Loire. Don’t miss a visit to the Musée des Deux Marines, which introduces visitors to the unique features of navigation on the canal and the river.
Alternative to the section « Briare Canal »
The Orléans canal links Montargis to Orléans.
The CyloTransEurope association remains in favour of Eurovélo 3 following the Orléans canal. The towpath can only be used in dry weather. The route is neither signposted nor safe. Given the work being carried out to rehabilitate the riverbanks and develop the cycle route, it may be difficult to get around.
Important – See work in progress.
Some sections of the canal may be affected by works that will make them partially inaccessible:
For details of the works, see the information page: Development of the cycle route along the Orléans canal.
When the development of the cycle route along the Orléans canal is complete, this section could also be the starting point for the loop known as“Le Loiret au fil de l’eau”, which incorporates the Briare canal, the Loire valley and the Orléans canal.