Between Le Mans and Saumur, a natural cycling itinerary

Start your journey in the Plantagenet city of Le Mans. Under the protection of Gallo-Roman ramparts, half-timbered houses and Renaissance hotels seem to greet you before the big departure. Take the time for a final stroll along the cobblestones, a café on the terrace.

The first few turns of the wheel take you along a greenway that gently escapes the city. The transition is gentle: the city's rumors fade, the trees multiply, the Sarthe appears and becomes your guide.

In Fillé,Moulin-Sart Island stands like a haven of peace. The Cyprien mill still turns, a faithful guardian of milling traditions. The nearby Centre d'art, housed in the mill's former barn, offers a moment of contemporary culture.

Return to the road along the Sarthe, which meanders through the willows. The sun's rays play hide-and-seek among the branches, creating shifting patterns along the way. A heron takes flight as you pass, surprised in its quiet fishing.

At the end of this first day, La Suze-sur-Sarthe and its charming river port await you. Pontoons reflected in the calm water, boats swaying as if to welcome you. A first day that ends in the softness of an evening when the sky is tinged with pink.

After this first day, treat yourself to a well-deserved stopover in one of the "Accueil Vélo" label establishments. Recognized by their green logo and present along the entire length of La Vélobuissonnière, these establishments offer a welcome and services adapted to cyclists: secure shelter for your bike, breakdown kit, practical information on your itinerary, etc.

This morning, the countryside is revealed in all its splendor: lush green valleys, fields of wheat swaying in the breeze, small woods filtering the sun's rays.

After a few hours of leisurely pedaling, we arrive in Malicorne-sur-Sarthe, a town where clay comes to life in expert hands. Labelled a "Ville et Métiers d'Art", it has been perpetuating the tradition of earthenware for centuries. Push open the door of one of our workshops: the craftsmen welcome you with the pride of those who pass on ancestral knowledge. At the Musée de la faïence, the collections bear witness to a delicate art that has survived the ages without losing any of its beauty.

The afternoon takes you to the Loir valley. The landscape changes slightly, with a few more pronounced climbs to wake up your muscles, but the effort is well worth it. At the top of each climb, the view stretches over miles of peaceful countryside.

On the horizon, La Flèche gradually takes shape, its slate roofs glistening in the sunlight, its facades gleaming white. The city reveals itself in all its understated elegance: the majestic Prytanée National Militaire, the charming timber-framed houses dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, the elegant Château des Carmes.

One last look at La Flèche and you're back on the voie verte. No cars here, just the rustle of leaves, the chirping of birds and the gentle crunch of the road beneath your tires.

After twenty kilometers or so, you reach Baugé-en-Anjou. Nestling against the Chandelais forest, this thousand-year-old village has earned the label Petite Cité de Caractère. Its pale stone houses, shady squares and old-fashioned shops make up a harmonious whole that centuries have patiently weathered.

Overlooking the town, the architecture of the Château de Baugé is astonishing. This pre-Renaissance residence bears the imprint of King René d'Anjou, an emblematic figure of the 15th century. As you wander through its rooms, you'll discover the refined world of this cultured prince who was a patron of the arts, a poet and a strategist, making Anjou a radiant artistic center.

A stone's throw away, the 18th-centuryHôtel-Dieu houses an unexpected treasure: one of France's finest apothecaries. In the hushed gloom, over 650 earthenware jars and boxes line dark wooden shelves. Mysterious labels ("Thériaque", "Élixir de longue vie", "Poudre de sympathie") evoke a time when medicine was still mixed with magic.

Evening falls softly on Baugé. In the main square, the terraces come alive. Anjou wine flows from the glasses, conversations mingle with the last of the birdsong.

Depart from Baugé in the golden light of morning. The greenway takes you first to Cuon, where a curiosity awaits: the twisted bell tower of Vieil-Baugé. This soaring spiral seems to defy the laws of gravity. Is it the work of a daring architect or a deformation caused by woodworking? The mystery remains, but the spectacle is breathtaking.

The road continues towards Longué-Jumelles. The Hydronef mill is well worth a visit. This old mill, fully restored, reveals all the secrets of hydraulic energy.

You're back on your way, and La Vélobuissonière now winds through the Loire-Authion horticultural production valley, with its tidy fields.

In Vivy, the Monteaux lake offers a welcome break. It's the ideal place for a last picnic in the heart of nature. Sitting at the water's edge, you can observe the local fauna, dragonflies dancing above the reeds, fish creating circles on the surface.

The arrival in Saumur is a grand finale. In the distance, the château stands on its promontory, a majestic guardian of the Loire. The city of art and history is yours to discover. Stroll through the cobbled streets, visit the thousand-year-old château, discover the famous Cadre Noir and its exceptional riders, watch the traditional boats glide down the Loire, venture into the troglodytic houses carved out of the tufa rock, taste the fine Saumur bubbles in a century-old cellar...

Want to extend your adventure?

• For nature lovers: get lost in the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Nature Park, where forests and meadows are home to exceptional biodiversity.
• For history buffs: follow the route of the Loire castles, witness to centuries of refinement.
• For epicureans: explore the vineyards of Anjou, where winegrowers welcome you for tastings.
• For sports enthusiasts: try your hand at water sports (paddle, canoe, traditional boat) and discover the Loire from a whole new angle.
• For families: the Zoo de La Flèche, one of France's finest animal parks, will amaze young and old with its species from the four corners of the globe.