La Loire à Vélo day 10 - 43km from Rigny-Ussé to Saumur

Today was a particularly pretty stretch of the Loire, starting the river and church at Candes Saint Martin, then Monsoureau.

As I was passing through Turquant, I spotted a café and took the opportunity to sit down for a decent lunch. The lunchtime special was a tasty steak frites. On this trip, I have found it best to grab those opportunities when you can, although on this occasion I did notice that there were plenty more options for lunch just beyond the village.

Turquant and the area nearby is known for its troglodyte dwellings. Up the hill above the village, there are shops and restaurants built into the limestone cliffs. Great for a little pause to check out the arts and crafts.

Arriving at Souzay was the surprise of the trip. One minute I was cycling across vineyards, the next, I was going down a slope with walls on each side into a series of caves. The cycle route passes through this underground network, which have been used for storage in the past and now have a vibrant café playing music while people sit “outside” in an open part of the cave a bit like a courtyard.

Arriving in Saumur, I made my way to the Logis Cristal Hôtel Restaurant, where I was staying the night. They gave me a key to a closed garage and I went there to lock up my bike.

Having stashed my bike and luggage, I explored the city. There are plenty of options for places to eat and drink, although the hotel where I was staying had a nice restaurant terrace out front looking out to the river, so I decided to eat there.