Jargeau-Beaugency-France-9-9-14

The scenery and towns are more interesting as we approach Orleans, France. We are at the edge of the magnificent chateaux country of the Loire.

The ride from Jargeau to Orleans was about 12 miles of baby smooth pavement.

Jargeau-Beaugency-France-Bike lane

We bucked tradition and even had a tail wind! The flaw was getting around Orleans. The town itself held little interest for us. Much of its historical sections were destroyed by bombing in 1940. The massive cathedral remains standing defiant, but there is much that is modern surrounding it.

The approach to Orleans from the East goes through a very lovely area of lakes and parks right alongside the river. There was confusion, however, as to where to go as construction had made things difficult. It took us an hour to go 5 kilometers and get through the other side of the city.

Jargeau-Beaugency-France-Lake area

EV 6 crosses two bridges, one into and one back out of Orleans. It should have been easier to stay on the south bank and just follow the local roads.

After Orleans, the route winds through some very small French towns. There was an absurd hill to climb. We have found quite often that EV 6 will route bicycles out of a short section of traffic on the most absurd pathways.

Jargeau-Beaugency-France-bike path

Once that was done with, we had another levee ride on superb surface to Meung Sur Loire.

Meung is a medieval town that was freed by Joan of Arc from British occupation. The church and castle stand witness to her presence. The remains of the medieval bridge that she crossed can still be seen in the river bed.

After Meung Sur Loire, the route returns to gravel most of the way to Beaugency. But, the gravel was finely packed and was nowhere near as slow as other gravel sections.

Jargeau-Beaugency-France-bike path-gravel

Beaugency is another medieval town. It has the only remaining medieval bridge left on the Loire River.

We decided to camp as there was a market in the town center and a camping ground across the river. We would have gone on another 20 or so kilometers, but were concerned about finding camping. Campgrounds are closing up already for the season.