The best road cycling routes around Nantes

A very pleasant crossing of the Loire, especially by bike or on foot. You can take the time to observe the abundant wildlife during the navigation.

The triple lock of Les champs neufs, located in Frossay on the Canal de la Martinière, is a masterpiece of 19th-century river engineering: * A cascade crossing: Unlike a simple lock, this structure comprises three consecutive chambers that allowed ships to compensate for the difference in level and effectively regulate water flow between the Loire estuary and the canal. * The steam machinery: Right next to the chambers stands the stone building of the La Machinerie du canal, which once housed imposing steam pumps responsible for maintaining the canal's water level constant for commercial navigation. * Heritage and promenade: With its lock gates, metal bridge, and preserved period mechanisms, it is one of the most spectacular and instructive stopping points on the route along the banks.

A remarkable engineering work inaugurated at the end of the 19th century to maintain maritime navigation towards Nantes, the Canal de la Martinière stretches its 15 kilometers parallel to the Loire estuary. Lined with period machinery, imposing locks, and natural bird reserves, it is today a prime spot for walking, fishing, and cycling on the Voie Verte. The site also hosts the contemporary artwork Misconceivable (the "soft boat") from the Estuaire trail.

The Pont de Thouaré, made up of two structures crossing the Loire via the island of Chézine, is a strategic crossing point connecting Thouaré-sur-Loire to Saint-Julien-de-Concelles, heavily used by the daily transport of the Nantes metropolitan network. In October 2025, the Department of Loire-Atlantique and Nantes Métropole implemented an experimental redevelopment over 900 meters to secure the crossing for pedestrians and cyclists: * Priority for soft mobility: Speed reduction to 30 km/h over the entire crossing, painting a continuous white line prohibiting any overtaking, and adding central bike markings on each lane to encourage cyclists to occupy the middle of the passage. * Securing connections: Materialization of a pedestrian strip on the island of Chesnaie, installation of a speed table, and placement of educational speed cameras.

On a sunny day, the sunlight allows for amazing colours.

This superb bird's-eye view offers an exceptional panorama of **l’Erdre**, captured from one of the bridges that span it (like the Pont de la Jonelière or the Viaduc de la Beaujoire). **A royal river with a lake-like appearance:** The Erdre stretches majestically, wide and peaceful, bordered by dense green wooded banks where large properties and preserved natural areas can be glimpsed. **The call of the great outdoors:** In the distance, the white silhouettes of a few sailboats and light craft dot the blue water, testifying to the nautical activity for which this river is renowned. * **The urban and nature contrast:** In the foreground, the modern, metallic lines of the bridge's railing recall the proximity of the city, creating a perfect graphic transition with the wild softness of the landscape in the background under a sky adorned with beautiful cumulus clouds. A beautiful invitation to contemplation or a stroll along the banks!

Nicknamed the «pearl of the Erdre», the port of Sucé-sur-Erdre is an unmissable charming stopover where lively terraces and pleasure boats coexist in a green and peaceful setting. It is the ideal starting point for strolling along the quays or taking a trip on the water, to discover one of the most beautiful rivers in France.

The gate is also a central point for beautiful road or mountain bike climbs (sometimes hidden) as well as paths for all types of riding.