The Loire à vélo awarded by a British tourism association

The British Guild of Travel Writers has, for its 2012 nominations, awarded to the Loire Bike circuits the title of "best European tourism attraction category". The Loire à vélo is a completion of a safe 800 kms cycle trail from Nevers to the Atlantic Ocean realized after 10 years of work and whic goes through six departements.  The price is awarded every year to projects located in UK, European Union and overseas by a panel of British editors members of the Bgtw.

Two main qualities appear to be at the origin of the decision of the organization : the touristic potential and its economic benefits for the towns and villages located along the circuit. The Loire à vélo is "an immense cycle tourism route which runs from Cuffy (near Nevers) to Saint-Brévin-les-Pins (near Saint-Nazaire and wich crosses the Centre and Pays de la Loire régions along the banks long the banks of France longest river, the Loire.
  
The itinerary has been developed since 1955 "for people who all have one thing in common : that desire to get away from it all", says the Loire à vélo website. Most of the stages are no more than 40 km long, i.e. 4 hours of cycling per day.  (credit pictures : La Loire à vélo)