The best cycling routes around Saint-Père

Cycle path on old railway line

It's not uncommon to find a Monument aux Morts in the immediate vicinity of the local church, which here boasts a very defensive-looking facade – the church's two massive, round towers could easily be imagined as part of a castle's fortifications. These monuments, found in almost every town, still serve an important dual function in the 21st century: They keep the memory of the victims of war and tyranny alive and thus serve as a constant reminder of peace.

Rivers and canals crisscross the country, the latter in particular being a crucial part of the transport infrastructure in earlier times. Later, first rail, and later again trucks, took over the task of transporting goods. In the competition between different modes of transport, they were faster and cheaper than barges – and thus more efficient. When building the artificial waterways, however, it had to be taken into account that differences in elevation always had to be overcome, and so locks are often lined up along the canals – at varying intervals, depending on the local situation. Only with their help was shipping possible.

It is presumably a former "chemin de halage" (in German "treidelpfad" or "leinpfad"), which runs alongside the canal's bed. In earlier times, such a path was an essential part of the transport infrastructure. Before ships could be powered by motors, horses walked along the bank, pulling the boat against the current. This was called "treideln" (pulling), and this is how the towpaths got their name, which has been passed down to this day. Where these paths, which run close to the bank, have been preserved, they are popular with hikers, walkers, joggers, and cyclists.

Excellent bike stopover at Belleville-sur-Loire at Le Café Du Canal for a cup of coffee, or a drink, on the banks of the canal. Right next to it the Office de Tourismo with water point and basic bike tools and pump facility next to it.

The Sancerre vineyard covers the hills of 14 communes in the Loire Valley. The paths that cross it allow you to discover this terroir up close, well-suited to growing vines thanks to its exposure and orientation. Here, you'll find peace and quiet, perfect for cycling and admiring the scenery.

The viaduct that connects Saint-Germain-du-Puy and Cosne is quite impressive. When you pass underneath it along the greenway, you'll realize the scale of the construction.

This historic canal lock is located on the Loire River. The facility was formerly used to lock barges from the Loire Lateral Canal through the Loire to the Canal de Briare and vice versa. A towpath was built on a river island in the Loire River to allow towing from the Loire and across to the other side of the river. Since this type of Loire crossing depended on the water level of the Loire and its meandering course, the new Briare Canal Bridge was later built. The historic river locks at Mantelot and Combles thus became obsolete.