Recommended travel time.

The minimum travel time is five days, but ideally at least seven. There are many stops along this route which are particularly worthwhile from a culinary point of view.

Recommended time to travel.

Worth doing at any time of year.

• Basel SBB–Strasbourg (via Colmar): 1 hour 18 minutes, direct connection.
• Strasbourg–Paris: 1 hour 47 minutes, direct connection by TGV.
• Paris–Nantes (via Le Mans, Sablé-sur-Sarthe, Angers): 2 hours 25 minutes, direct connection by TGV.
• Nantes–Orléans (via Saumur, Tours): several days on the regional trains (TER).

Additional intermediate stops.

Colmar–Sablé-sur-Sarthe–Angers.

The Interrail France Pass for 5, 6 or 8 days of travel within 1 month is ideal and covers all trains in France. Between Strasbourg and Paris and between Paris and Nantes reservations are compulsory for high-speed trains. These are not included with the Interrail Pass. You can obtain reservations up to three months in advance at interrail.eu.

Before reaching Nantes, you will experience a journey of surprises via Strasbourg and Paris. Shortly after Basel, it’s already worth having a look out of the window. The train takes you through the Rhine Valley into the impressive landscape of Alsace. If you look to the east, you will see the contours of the Black Forest, while the Vosges mountains stretch out to the west. Of course, you could travel straight to Strasbourg in a little over an hour. But you could also some spend time in the medieval town of Colmar, the heart of Alsace. Or hop off the train in Ribeauvillé, a beautiful old town surrounded by vineyards. No fewer than eight Grands Crus are produced here, among the best wines of the Alsace.

When one thinks about Strasbourg, one thinks of Europe. Together with Brussels, it is the seat of the European Parliament, even if only for four days of every month. In the local dialect, the atmospheric heart of the city, full of timber-framed houses, is called ‘Französel’. Officially, its name is ‘La Petite France’. The River Ill flows around the town centre. This part of the city becomes something quite special when viewed from the water on a boat trip. Be sure to take the time to visit Strasbourg Cathedral. The famous pink sandstone Cathédrale Notre-Dame, whose single tower was completed in the 15th century. On the spot where the second tower was to have been built, there is now a terrace 66 metres above the ground. From here you can marvel at the magnificent view. How about rounding the day off with a regional dish and a delicious glass of Alsatian wine? This cosy town is brimming with fine cafés and restaurants.

From Strasbourg, you can take the TGV to Paris-Est in just under two hours. It’s always tempting to spend a few days in Paris. There’s no time to be bored, and you discover something new every time you visit. The Promenade Plantée, called ‘Avenue Daumesnil’ by Parisians, is particularly special. In the last century, the railway line from the vanished Paris-Bastille station to the Bois de Vincennes was closed and converted into a footpath of five kilometres. The path is flanked by trees, shrubs and flowers. You can walk eastward from the Opéra Bastille through a green oasis which runs along railway bridges, embankments and through tunnels, taking you out of the city and all the way to the Bois de Vincennes. For the first 1.5 kilometres, you walk along the former Viaduc de la Bastille, now renamed as the Viaduc des Arts, due to the many galleries and art studios which are to be found under its brick arches. A unique spot, ideal for a coffee break or lunch.

If you want to spend more time on the route along the Loire, you could also save Paris for another time. Instead, set aside a day for Le Mans, a city of surprises. This historic city is on the way to Nantes and can be reached in one hour by TGV from Paris Montparnasse. 

Le Mans is world famous for its 24-hour race – the sports car race which takes place on the second weekend of June every year, and which will be celebrating its centenary in 2023. There is even a whole museum dedicated to the race, with a permanent collection of 140 racing cars. Tickets for the event are sold out well in advance, but even without attending the race you can still enjoy the exuberant atmosphere of the city.

However, with a rich history dating back to Roman times, Le Mans has much more to offer than motor racing. Don’t miss the wonders of Saint-Julien, one of the most beautiful cathedrals in France. Or the Cité Plantagenêt, a district with well-preserved timber-framed houses dating back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The Gallo-Roman city wall, with its geometric patterns of black and white stones, is particularly striking. Overwhelmed by all the sights? In this atmospheric city, it won’t take you long to find a cosy terrace for a drink.

You are now only an hour and a half away from Nantes, where the route along the Loire begins. There is also plenty to see along this route and regional trains (TER) give you the opportunity to get off whenever the fancy takes you. Sablé-sur-Sarthe, for example, is a beautiful town with a lot of history, surrounded by verdant hills. However, continuing to Nantes is also an excellent idea – this fascinating port city has so much to offer that you will most certainly not have time to squeeze in everything you’d like to. This will be clear as soon as you arrive, because right next to the station is one of the largest botanical gardens in France, the Jardin des Plantes. The plant collection is exceptional thanks to the seeds which seafarers used to bring back from their long voyages.

Also within walking distance of the station is the Château des ducs de Bretagne, which houses the Musée d’histoire de Nantes. Here you will learn all sorts of things about the rich history of the city, from the Middle Ages to the present day. And the Loire plays an important role.

Nantes is a city which sparkles, and this is especially noticeable on the Île de Nantes, an island in the middle of the river. Old shipyard buildings now provide spaces for art projects such as Les Machines de l’île, with its enormous mobile steel constructions. Art studios, exhibition spaces, and events which stimulate all the senses: this island is full of creativity.

But there is also plenty of room for art and culture elsewhere in the city. Le Voyage à Nantes is a 22-kilometre green-marked trail which passes 120 cultural highlights in Nantes and beyond. Follow the green stripe on the pavement and see what you discover.

An overnight stay here also acquires an artistic touch thanks to the Chambres d’Artistes. For this art project, international artists designed 22 unique guest rooms. You will find them in hotels scattered all over the city. But also on a cargo ship on the Loire and in a micro-house at the mouth of the river.

Just outside Nantes, the Loire gains an even more natural appearance, meandering broadly, nestling between wild banks of deep green. Groups of water birds can be seen on dry sandbanks, while Limousin cattle graze in meadows along the river.

After just one hour, the train reaches the charming town of Saumur, right on the banks of the Loire and surrounded by rolling vineyards. You are in the Anjou-Saumur wine region, where Champigny-Saumur, a fine red wine, is produced. Winding alleys with medieval timber-frame houses, a fairytale castle, squares and cosy terraces. Saumur has everything.

The wines of the Loire are in a class of their own and the wine shop La Tonnelle, in the historic heart of the city, sells more than five hundred different kinds. Dozens of them are on the drinks menu in the eponymous wine bar around the corner, making it possible for you to enjoy them by the glass. Saumur is a perfect starting point for long walks along the riverbank, through sleepy villages such as beautiful Candes-Saint-Martin. Or you can make the steep climb to the restored Château de Saumur. You will be rewarded by a breathtaking view of the Loire. On the way back, you will pass by the workshop of chocolatier Marise Oulette. Be sure to treat yourself to a handmade praline from her Barre de Chocolat.

The train journey to Tours, the next town on the route, takes just half an hour. You are now in the heart of the Loire Valley, in the Tourraine wine region. On arriving, the first impressions are overwhelming, as Tours has one of the most beautiful railway stations in France. The architect Victor Laloux designed a true rail cathedral for his home town, decorated with beautiful ornamentation. Eighteen panels of tiles particularly stand out, with images of inspiring French destinations. When the station opened in 1898, it was met with great admiration. Laloux became a star architect and, a few years later, designed the Gare d’Orsay in Paris.

Every year, on the last weekend in May, the station square forms the backdrop for Vitiloire. During this event, 150 producers from the region present their latest wines, which you can taste for free.

You can also enjoy a good meal and drinks in the historic centre, towards the river quays. Rue Colbert is particularly notable for its succession of good restaurants. Passing along this atmospheric street you will reach the Gothic cathedral of Saint-Gatien. At the back of the building, almost hidden, you will find some modern stained glass windows by the artist Gérard Collin-Thiebaut and the Maître Verrier, the master glassblower, Pierre-Alain Parot. They are among the most beautiful in France.

Tours is much larger than Saumur and you can walk through the city for miles. Afterwards, you can relax in the Jardin des Prébendes d’Oé, a beautiful landscaped garden full of special trees and plants and dating back to 1874.

You have almost reached the end of your tour of the Loire Valley. The last stage, from Tours to Orléans, takes one and a half hours, with stops at all intermediate stations. So you can still choose to get off in Blois, where you can then take a shuttle bus from the station to Château de Chambord, the biggest castle on the Loire.

Amboise is also worth stopping for. Here, you can visit the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci in the Chapel of Saint-Hubert. The chapel is located in the Château Royal d’Amboise, where the artist worked for King François I during the last years of his life.

But it is also worth spending a little more time in lively Orléans. Here, too, you will find traces of a rich history, with Joan of Arc at the centre of it all. In the magnificent cathedral of Sainte-Croix d’Orléans, you will even find stained glass windows which tell the story of the national heroine.

As soon as the weather warms up in Orléans, the quays along the Loire form one long terrace. Walking between Pont George V and Pont René Thinat in the shade of the tall plane trees is a true delight. Despite its proximity to the city, the river has retained its natural, meandering character here. Every two years, at the end of September, the five-day Festival de Loire takes place on the river and along its banks – it’s the largest event for historic flat-bottomed boats in Europe. The spectacular regattas on the river are particularly popular.

Orléans was once a wine region, but over the years, this was forgotten until the Montigny-Piel family started making wine. They’ve become so good at it that there is once again an ‘Appellation Orléans protégée’, guaranteeing the uniqueness of the wine. With a bit of luck, you will find their wines in small “caves”, such as Orléans Blanc, Clos Saint-Fiacre. Exceptional in taste with a good dose of joie de vivre. There is no better way to end a train journey along the Loire.

Colmar is a picturesque town full of timber-framed houses and beautiful medieval architecture. It is considered the heart of Alsace. From here, there is a magnificent view of the Vosges mountains. Colmar is the birthplace of Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the designer of the Statue of Liberty in New York Bay. Somewhere in the city, a twelve-metre-high replica of the world-famous statue stands on a roundabout as a tribute to the artist. That must be worth a selfie!

Sablé-sur-Sarthe is certainly worth a visit and the surroundings area is also incredible. Here, you can stroll through medieval alleys or take a walk in nature. Especially around the castle, you will find beautiful hiking trails which pass ancient trees and gardens full of flowers. The Festival de Sablé is the oldest baroque music festival in Europe. Every year in the fourth week of August, world-class baroque musicians meet here. Of a different order, but also world-famous, is Petit Sablé, the popular shortbread first baked in Sablé-sur-Sarthe in 1670. You’ll find the tastiest ones at Biscuiterie La Sablesienne and Maison Drans.

The beautiful town of Angers is not on the Loire, but on the Maine. Here, too, you will find traces of a rich history. Make sure you visit Château d’Angers, where you can admire the world’s longest woven tapestry, kept in a room of its own. La Tapisserie de l’Apocalypse (1382) was originally 140 metres long. About a hundred metres of this unique medieval work of art have survived to the present day.

The Maison d’Adam, built in 1491 and unique for its woodcarvings, is one of the most beautiful timber-framed houses in France. It now houses the Maison des Artisans with creations and products from around eighty different craftsmen.

With all the historical beauty of the cities, and the countless sights, you might almost forget that the Loire is actually the star of this route. So don’t forget to look outside during the train journey. In many places, the river is simply beautiful.

Discover even more of Europe and travel to Nantes via Brussels instead of Paris. From Strasbourg, every day there are two direct trains which will take you to the capital of the European Union in under four hours. Our tip for Brussels – in addition to the cosy historic old town and the good beer: the House of European History. With an impressive permanent exhibition on the history of Europe and the current temporary exhibition ‘Throwaway - the history of a modern crisis’, in German and French. Free entry.

There is one direct connection per day from Brussels to Nantes. In this case, the best way to travel is with the Interrail Global Pass for 5 or 7 days within 1 month. Advantage: the Interrail Global Pass will also be valid from your station of departure in Switzerland.