Cycling in the Sologne: flat routes and loops near Romorantin

Two cycle networks sit either side of Romorantin-Lanthenay: the Cœur de France à vélo route (V46) to the south, along the Canal de Berry and the river Cher, and the « Sologne à vélo » loops to the north, through forest. Both are flat and signposted, and both start 18 to 31 min by car from the cottage.

How hard is cycling in the Sologne?

Easy. The Sologne is flat country, and France Vélo Tourisme rates the routes below as beginner level.

The figures back it up: 32 m of total climbing over the 27 km stage from Selles-sur-Cher to Mennetou-sur-Cher, and 66 m over the 15 km forest loop. If you are used to Dutch polders or a British canal towpath, this will feel familiar. An e-bike is a comfort, not a requirement.

Which day ride should you choose?

Pick the canal for long, traffic-free riding and the forest for a short outing. Three options, nearest first:

• Mennetou-sur-Cher and the Canal de Berry: the start is 18 min from the cottage (16 km), on the V46. Ride west along the canal and turn back whenever you like.
• Selles-sur-Cher to Mennetou-sur-Cher: the full stage is 27 km, so 54 km there and back for regular riders. You can also start from Selles-sur-Cher, 26 min away (20 km).
• Loop 14, En forêt sur la piste du Cerf: 15 km, about 1 h 20, starting from La Marolle-en-Sologne, 31 min away (28 km).

What is the Cœur de France à vélo route (V46) like?

It is the smoothest ride in the area: 86% of the Selles-sur-Cher to Mennetou-sur-Cher stage is on dedicated cycle path, the rest on quiet shared lanes. See the stage page on France Vélo Tourisme for the map.

The V46 runs 334 km from Tours to Montluçon in 13 stages. The Loir-et-Cher section, close to 74 km between Mennetou-sur-Cher and Montrichard, opened in May 2025 and follows the old towpaths of the Canal de Berry. The stage passes through Gièvres, Villefranche-sur-Cher and Langon-sur-Cher.

Each end has a stop worth making on foot: the walled medieval village of Mennetou-sur-Cher, and the Château de Selles-sur-Cher. Heading east, the route continues from Villefranche-sur-Cher to Vierzon for another 25 km.

Which forest loop is best for a first ride?

Loop 14, « En forêt sur la piste du Cerf », is the one to start with: 15 km, 71% of it on cycle path, between La Marolle-en-Sologne and Villeny.

It passes the Maison du Cerf, a small deer museum in Villeny (36 min from the cottage, 33 km), and the Giraudière pond. About 2 km are listed as rough, so a hybrid or mountain bike suits it better than a road bike. In September and October, pair it with an evening listening to the red deer rut.

The loop belongs to the Sologne à vélo network: 140 km of signposted routes built around a 36 km main axis, with 5 loops numbered 13 to 17 and ranging from 7 to 31 km. Loop 16, the family ride, is 7 km; loop 17, the ponds route, is 31 km.

Where can you hire a bike near Romorantin?

The cottage does not supply bikes. In Romorantin, the Culture Vélo shop (148 avenue de Villefranche) lists bike hire among its services. Phone ahead to check models, sizes and availability.

No signposted route starts at the cottage, so the bikes have to travel by car to the start. Ask the shop whether it lends a bike rack. If you bring your own bikes and want to know where to keep them, ask us. The tourist office, 2 min away (1 km), hands out route maps.

What should you pack for a day on the bike?

Not much, but sort it before you leave: the starting points are small villages.

• Water and a picnic for the day.
• A repair kit: inner tube, tyre levers, pump.
• The GPX track or route map, downloaded in advance from France Vélo Tourisme.
• A lock for stops in Mennetou-sur-Cher or Selles-sur-Cher.

Why stay in Romorantin for a cycling break?

Romorantin lies between the two networks: the Canal de Berry is 18 min to the south, the forest loops 31 min to the north. You get a different landscape each day without moving house.

The cottage sleeps 6 in 3 bedrooms, with private parking for loading and unloading bikes, an enclosed garden and a terrace with a barbecue for the evening. On rest days, the ponds and forests of the Sologne are just as good on foot.