EuroVelo 6, stretching from Saint-Brevin-les-Pins to Mulhouse, is France’s most famous cycling route, tracing the Loire, Saône, and Doubs rivers. Divided into two iconic sections, La Loire à Vélo and the Nevers-to-Basel leg, it winds through charming towns and villages brimming with UNESCO-listed heritage. With 1,300 km of fully developed, easy-going paths, this route effortlessly links the Atlantic to Alsace, following the Loire’s scenic banks, Burgundy’s canals, and the Saône and Doubs valleys before reaching the Rhône-Rhine Canal. Renowned for its accessibility and beauty, it’s perfect for leisurely exploration.

Download the GPS tracks for La Loire à Vélo and the Between the Loire and the Rhine by bike, and start planning your unforgettable cycling adventure through France’s heartland.

Countries

Legend

Development status
  • Certified These sections were awarded the official EuroVelo Certification label, ensuring high-quality cycling conditions.They were surveyed in the field by EuroVelo Route Inspectors to respect minimum requirements for motorised traffic levels, surface quality, EuroVelo signage, and access to services as defined by the European Certification Standard (ECS) methodology. EuroVelo Certified routes are the best options for beginners!
  • Developed + Signed These sections offer generally good cycling conditions, with limited motorised traffic, rideable surfaces, and EuroVelo signs along the route. Developed routes with signs are suitable for most cyclists. However, short stretches with lower-quality conditions may occur, and it is recommended to bring a map or navigation app as signs can have defects.
  • Developed + Not Signed These sections offer generally good cycling conditions, with limited motorised traffic and rideable surfaces, but without EuroVelo signs. Developed routes without signs are suitable for most cyclists. However, short stretches with lower-quality conditions may occur, and it is warmly recommended to bring a map or navigation app.
  • Partially Developed + Signed Cycling is possible here, but conditions vary. Some stretches may have high motorised traffic or poor surfaces, even though EuroVelo signs are in place. Partially developed routes with signs are suitable for experienced cyclists only, and it is recommended to bring a map or navigation app and check national/regional websites for more information. ECF and National EuroVelo Coordination Centres are working on improvements.
  • Partially Developed + Not Signed Cycling is possible here, but conditions vary. Some stretches may have high motorised traffic or poor surfaces, and EuroVelo signs are not in place. Partially developed routes without signs are suitable for experienced cyclists only, and it is warmly recommended to bring a map or navigation app and check national/regional websites for more information. ECF and National EuroVelo Coordination Centres are working on improvements.
  • Undeveloped / Unknown These sections do not meet minimum requirements for motorised traffic levels or surface quality – or their conditions are currently unknown. They may include dangerous stretches. Cyclists choosing to cycle there should use a map or navigation app and check national/regional websites for more information. It is recommended to use public transport to skip these areas where possible.
  • Public transport link These sections include continuity across seas or rivers and undeveloped parts of the network that can be skipped with a reliable public transport connection allowing bicycle transport.

Markers

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

National & Regional Information

Réseau vélo et marche

National EuroVelo Coordination Centre

Réseau vélo et marche is a network of local authorities committed to the development of active mobility in France. Since 2011, it has operated as national coordination centre for EuroVelo in France, monitoring the development of the European cycle route network at the national level.

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France Vélo Tourisme

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.

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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.

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EuroVelo 6 / Between Loire and Rhine by bike

From Nevers to Basel, 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.

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EuroVelo 6 / La Loire à Vélo

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.

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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.

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Related news

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.

Services

Accueil Vélo (Cyclists Welcome)
France
EV5 EV6 EV15
national

Along the French cycle routes France Vélo Tourisme offers a wide range of services with Accueil Vélo, a national accreditation scheme guaranteeing a high quality of welcome and services for cyclists. This includes accommodations, restaurants, places to visit, tourist offices as well as bike rental and repair companies, all available to be explored on an interactive map. The “Accueil Vélo” brand is used in various regions in France, such as along the La Loire à Vélo (EuroVelo 6) as well as in the region of Alsace. (EuroVelo 5, 6 and 15).

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