Combining biking and canoeing on the Loire with Tours et Canoë
The Loire is inextricably linked to the river and, in turn, to its boats. And there have been many boats in the history of France’s longest river. Once, the Loire was very important for trade. Today, it is frequented for pleasure. You’ve surely heard of the La Loire à Vélo, but did you know that it is also possible to canoe along our beautiful watercourse in Val d’Amboise? And what about combining biking and canoeing on the Loire? A fantastic idea from Tours et Canoë that we present in this article.
The bike + canoe combi offer on the Loire
With Tours et Canoë, you can combine two activities and even more! This way, you can enjoy canoeing and cycling to discover Val d’Amboise at your own rhythm. Book your day now to discover the Loire in two different ways and take advantage of a picnic stop on the river banks!
To guarantee your booking, we generally recommend booking at least 48 hours in advance. There must be at least 2 people (with option for each to ride in their own canoe), who must be aged over 6 and competent swimmers. The person who gets in touch with us by phone advises us to wear good shoes. Because in the Loire, there are unfortunately all sorts of objects. It can therefore be dangerous to walk without the right footwear.
If you visit the Tours et Canoë nautical centre, you might be greeted by Mylène, Sébastien or even Lucky, the beautiful white dog. While you wait, you can read the FNPLCK information panels on the environment and its inhabitants, after ordering at the bar opposite the reception, if you fancy it.
Canoeing on the Loire in total safety
With our booking made, we met at Île-d’Or at 13:00, between the two banks of Amboise. My friend and I were greeted by Sébastien. He explained everything we needed to know about the adventure that awaited. He described the route we would take and its characteristics. Never having canoed before, he also explained to me how to hold and use the paddle. As I don’t tend to feel safe in the water, I’ve always been a little apprehensive about this sport. Sébastien was very understanding and reassuring. It was clear to see that he was passionate about this sport, and especially with what came next.
Devoted to biodiversity, he never missed an opportunity to tell us about the species we might come across and their habitats. In fact, some ‘beaches’ are prohibited to avoid disturbing the animals. He also told us that he could answer any questions we might have about the species we spot. Sébastien knows his job very well, and everything related to it.
After these tips, he gave us our life jackets, which we had to wear throughout the entire canoe outing. He also gave us a container in which to store and protect our things. We were ready to go!
Mastering our canoe
Our ride await us by the water’s edge and it was time to descend the Loire for a real change of perspective. A 14 km journey awaited us. Throughout this activity, we were faced by wind and waves. Under its calm appearance, the Loire revealed itself to be a particularly turbulent river. For a few hours, we used all the strength of our backs, arms, stomach and thighs as we made our way down the longest river in France. Together, with two in a boat, coordinating allowed us to better paddle and conserve our energy. And if we got a little warm, the water running off the paddle was happy to refresh us. And if my partner was still a little hot, the blade of my paddle was perfect for spraying her down.
Along the way, the riverbanks never ceased to entertain us. as we discovered their little furry and feathered inhabitants. Sébastien was also able to tell me more about the birds flying overhead that I didn’t recognise. Further along, we caught a glimpse of a coypu. Unlike us, it crossed the Loire from one bank to the other. Traffic on our wild river was therefore quite similar to our roads on land.
A surprise awaited us as we passed under one of the arches of the viaduct. No, still no silurus in sight!
This little detail, which I will keep secret, rounded off the first part of our adventure. Be careful not to the miss the mooring bank, located just after you pass the Montlouis-sur-Loire bridge.
Having arrived at the Tours et Canoë nautical centre in Vouvray, we enjoyed a well-deserved break between canoeing and cycling along the Loire. Sat with our feet in the grass, accompanied by a drink from the bar, we soaked up the sunshine and its warmth before setting off again for Amboise by bike. This was the chance to share our feelings, with one word standing out: ‘athletic’! The only danger on this ‘discovery of the Loire’ and its ‘nature’ was a sunburn. It was a great surprise for me to learn that this sport was much less risky than I thought!
On our bikes to follow the Loire à Vélo cycle path
Our ride was ready. We collected our bikes from Sébastien, who had already taken care of our canoes and the rest of the equipment when we arrived.
Now, we set off for Amboise – on land this time. We were lucky enough to enjoy a cycle path for almost the entire length of our journey – and beyond! There was therefore no risk along our way, other than the nature of the terrain, which can vary. The route is fairly flat, safe, well-signposted and dotted with various facilities. It is therefore accessible to all.
We started by climbing up to the Montlouis-sur-Loire railway viaduct. This passage might seem a little scary, given the proximity to the trains. However, it’s completely safe – with railings and a low-wall surrounding us. And the train conductors drive carefully as they cross this large bridge. For the majority of our uncomplicated journey, we pedalled along the Loire. This environment made our return peaceful and very pleasant. Our route also crossed two towns. First was Montlouis-sur-Loire, where we passed through the vines, and Lussault-sur-Loire where we discovered the Touraine Grand Aquarium. Then, we arrived in Amboise between the dike and the Loire. Here, two options presented themselves: take the first exit leading to the great market square, or leave after passing under the Amboise bridge.
In short, this circuit presented a selection of the region’s best assets to us, leaving us with plenty of ideas for our next activities!
Finally, Eric collected the bikes from us. Working at Roue Lib’, next to the Amboise Tourist Office, he offers tours around the city to discover the local area. He’s sure to offer great advice for your next adventure on two wheels!
Now, all we had to do was stamp our Loire à Vélo passport at the Val d’Amboise Tourist Office. A few copies are available on site.
Tours et Canoë – it's not just about canoeing!
Tours et Canoë isn’t just about canoeing and cycling on the Loire, they also offer: paddlebaording, various combinations with bikes, the option to wild camp between canoeing sessions and more.
As I’m sure you’ve gathered, you’ll never get bored again on our Loire! Our land is packed full of activities to enjoy on both land and water.
Thanks to Tours et Canoë, you can enjoy our beautiful Loire from a new perspective. But be warned, this is not a restful activity!
Le Crinkly d’Alexandre Calder
Dans le jardin bordé par l’Amasse, ne manquez pas d’admirer le Crinkly d’Alexandre Calder. Le mobile de l’un des plus célèbres sculpteurs américains y trône en effet majestueusement. Il pointe au gré des vents son bec vers le château royal.
