EuroVelo 6, from Saint-Brevin-les-Pins to Mulhouse, following the Loire, the Saône and the Doubs, is the most famous and prestigious cycle route in France. It is divided into two sections : La Loire à Vélo and the EuroVelo 6 from Nevers to Basel. The route goes through numerous cities and villages full of a rich historical heritage, some listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

With almost 1.300 km of completely developed roads, EuroVelo 6 is one of the easiest and most pleasant in France. It connects the Atlantic to the Alsace, follows the Loire ‘à Vélo’ from the river mouth in Saint-Brevin-les-Pins passing by canals in Burgundy, the Saône and Doubs valleys, to the Rhône-Rhine Canal.

Download the full GPS tracks of EuroVelo 6 - Atlantic-Black Sea in France here for the Loire à Vélo part and here for the Nevers-Basel section, and start planning your next cycling holidays!

Public Transport and Bicycles in France

The Train Loire à Vélo offers cyclists free bike transportation between Orléans, Tours, Nantes and Le Croisic. Train to get to the Cycle Route - Loire by Bike.

Countries

Legend

Development status
  • Certified Section of at least 300 km that has successfully undergone the certification process in line with ECF’s European Certification Standard. It is the highest quality level on the EuroVelo network
  • Developed with EuroVelo signs Developed route (see category below) with continuous signing along the route, incorporating EuroVelo route information panels.
  • Developed Route developed for cyclists and signed in line with the respective national standard (i.e. it is part of a local, regional or national cycle network). There must also be a website providing information to users. Developed route can be heterogeneous in terms of infrastructure: type of cycling infrastructure, surface, width, gradients, etc
  • Under development Route containing sections that require further development (e.g. stretches on public highways with high levels of traffic). Cyclists are advised to use public transportation to skip these non-developed stretches.
  • Planning Undeveloped route with no detailed information publicly available on the Internet. The itinerary communicated is a proposal for the best possible option currently available. It may also contain dangerous sections. Cyclists are advised to use public transportation to skip these non-developed stretches.
  • Public transport link

Markers

  • Natural Heritage
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Cultural Heritage
  • Culinary Delights
  • Maritime Heritage / The Rhine / The Meuse
  • Other Point of Interest
  • Bus station
  • Train station
  • Mobility info center

National & Regional Information

France Vélo Tourisme

National EuroVelo Coordination Centre

France Vélo Tourisme platform offers many major cycling routes and destinations in France, including mountain bike routes, practical advices for traveling by bike, a route calculator with a map, as well as contact details for Accueil Vélo service providers throughout the country.

Accueil Vélo

"Accueil Velo" is a national accreditation scheme guaranteeing a high quality of services for cyclists using French cycle routes. You will find accommodations, bike rental and repair companies, restaurants, tourist offices and places to visit.

EuroVelo 6 / France

From Nevers to Saint-Louis, the EuroVelo 6 follows the wildest part of the Loire valley, which has been listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, the canals of Burgundy, the Saône Valley, and the Canal from the Rhine to the Rhône. As the route follows the course of rivers, it is generally quite flat making it ideal cycling territory for those with children.

EuroVelo 6 / The Loire by Bike

The Loire by Bike, from Saint-Brevin-les-Pins to Nevers, along the Loire valley, is the most famous and prestigious cycle route in France with 280 km listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Designed as an easy, family-friendly ride, the cycle route takes you through the Loire landscapes, passing through the river’s natural banks, vineyards, Loire castles, troglodyte sites, via the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Nature Park.

Cycling in Alsace

Alsace has a 1550-mile network of cycle paths. Its scale makes Alsace one of the top cycling regions in France. Three EuroVelo routes pass through the region, including EuroVelo 5, 6 and 15. All the necessary information about the major international route and the regional and local paths branching off from it, can be found on the Alsace à Vélo website.

Maps & Guides

Chamina Guide: EuroVelo 6 de Bâle à Nevers

600 km from the Rhine to the Loire, through Haute-Alsace, Franche-Comté, Burgundy... The guide : - Pages with spiral binding, easy to handle on a bicycle - Format 11.5 x 21 cm, suitable for a handlebar map holder - Clear and precise maps - Descriptions of the routes covered by the guidebook, entirely undertaken by bicycle - Maps of the main towns crossed - Good addresses for accommodation, rental companies and services - Train + bike information 2019 Edition (in French)

Chamina Guide: La Loire à Vélo de Nevers à l'Atlantique - Grands Itinéraires

The Loire Valley has inspired writers with its natural beauty, and has attracted sovereigns who have endowed it with a remarkable architectural heritage. Its mild climate and soil have produced the famous Loire wines. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 840 km of easy cycling from Nevers to Saint-Brévin-les-Pins (on the Atlantic coast). 39 fully signposted cycling stages. Good addresses, accommodation, services, "train + bike" information. (in French)

EuroVelo 6: East of France "Frankreich Ost” [Bikeline Esterbauer]

This cycling guide describes the sections of EuroVelo 6 in France and Switzerland from Orléans to Basel (796 km). The perfect tool before and during your journey: precise and informative maps, 1:75,000 scale, elevation and distance profiles, GPS tracks, accommodation and service directory. Can be used even without any knowledge of German. English translation of the map legend and the user manual of the guide available at esterbauer.com/international.

EuroVelo 6: Loire Cycle Route ''Loire-Radweg" [Bikeline Esterbauer]

This cycling guide describes the French section of EuroVelo 6 from the Atlantic to Nevers (645 km). The perfect tool before and during your journey: precise and informative maps, 1:75,000 scale, elevation and distance profiles, GPS tracks, accommodation and service directory. Can be used even without any knowledge of German. English translation of the map legend and the user manual of the guide available at esterbauer.com/international.

Bookable Offers

Cycle tour - Franche-Comté

EV6
@France

The region Franche-Comté in the eastern part of France is rich of cultural and natural heritage. Besançon with its famous bastille, is even on the World Heritage Site of UNESCO. Many small towns in the Comté region have a very rich heritage of historic treasures. But the actual reason to go on this trip is definitely the beautiful nature and the marvellous river landscapes. The peaceful cycle path EuroVelo 6 is part of this cycling trip. This holiday is also a highlight for every foodie.