This first stage immerses you in the heart of the Anjou vineyard, famous for its rolling landscapes and family estates. Between La Séguinière and Bellevigne-en-Layon, the route alternates between small country roads, steep valleys and winemaking villages. It is the perfect place to start this circuit, combining rural heritage and wine discoveries.

Things to do:

• Les Coteaux du Layon: Ride along the signposted cycle path through the vineyards. The terrain offers superb panoramas over the Layon valley, especially at the Moulin de la Pinsonnière viewpoint.

• La Séguinière: Make a stop in this town crossed by the Évre. The village centre reveals typical local stone architecture, ideal for a peaceful break by the water.

• Bellevigne-en-Layon & Val du Layon: Push open the door of a wine estate to visit a troglodyte cellar. The winemakers will explain the harvest process through successive sorting of grapes affected by "noble rot", essential for crafting appellation wines.

Pair a glass of Coteaux du Layon (a sweet white wine with notes of honesty and apricot) with galipettes angevines, large button mushrooms baked in a wood-fired oven and stuffed with rillettes or goat's cheese.

On the Quays of Ingrandes and Lakes: On the historical border between Anjou and Brittany, Ingrandes-Le-Fresne-sur-Loire stretches along the royal river. The route then forks inland towards Villemoisan, where the landscape changes radically to give way to undergrowth and peaceful expanses of water.

Things to do:

• The Quays of Ingrandes: Observe the maritime architecture of this former trading port. You can board a gabarre (a traditional wooden boat) for a guided cruise on the Loire and discover the river wildlife.

• The Pond of Villemoisan: Walk a loop around the Étang du Prieuré. This landscaped natural site offers picnic tables and pontoons to observe aquatic vegetation (1h30).

• The Loire by Bike: Follow the secure cycle route running along the river. The path, very smooth and flat, allows you to ride right up close to the sandbanks and heronries (2h30).

Pike-Perch Fillet with Beurre Blanc: Try the Loire zander served with its beurre blanc sauce, an essential regional recipe invented on the banks of the river using shallots and dry white Anjou wine.

Heading north towards the Segréen region, marked by its mining past and its dark slate stones. Segré en Anjou-Bleu surprises with its steep relief and historical buildings constructed on the banks of the Oudon.

Things to do:

• Nyoiseau Royal Abbey: Visit this Benedictine monastery founded in the 12th century. The conventual buildings and the cloister bear witness to the past religious grandeur of Haut-Anjou.

• Segré Along the Oudon: Explore the upper town and its suspension bridges. Renting a canoe or pedal boat allows you to navigate past the fine slate facades that characterise the town.

• The Blue Mine: Descend 126 metres underground into a real slate mine. The guided tour retraces the daily life of the quarrymen and the extraction process of slate schist (take advantage of the Great Deal).

The Anjou Gouline: Savour the Gouline, the department's official pie filled with button mushrooms, shallots, Tomme d'Anjou cheese and topped with a dash of white wine.

North of Angers, the Sarthe River winds peacefully through green meadows and picturesque villages. Les Hauts-d'Anjou and Cheffes perfectly embody this typical Anjou sweetness of life. Let yourself be lulled by the lapping of the water and the serenity of the riverside open-air cafes.

Things to do:

• The Banks of the Sarthe in Cheffes: Stroll through the charming village of Cheffes, renowned for its church with a twisted spire and its picturesque lock. Watch the pleasure boats pass by and enjoy the soothing atmosphere of the Sarthe riverbanks.

• Natural Areas of Les Hauts-d'Anjou: Set out to explore the botanical trails and the Lower Anjou Valleys on foot or by bicycle. This ecosystem preserves exceptional wildlife, notably migratory birds that can be observed from the designated viewpoints.

• Water Sports & Paddleboarding: Rent a stand-up paddleboard or a kayak at the water sports centre to glide along the river. A fun and refreshing way to discover the wild vegetation from another angle.

Le Crémet d'Anjou & Local Cheeses: Finish your stage on a sweet note with the famous Crémet d'Anjou, an airy dessert made with whipped cream and egg whites, served with delicious Loire Valley red berries.

This grand final stage concludes the circuit in style, in the heart of the regional natural park. From the royal grandeur of Saumur with its castle overlooking the Loire, to the preserved villages of Mazé-Milon, Villebernier and Brain-sur-Allonnes, experience a magical immersion combining architectural heritage, mysterious forests and troglodyte caves.

Things to do:

• Château de Montgeoffroy in Mazé-Milon: Visit this masterpiece of 18th-century architecture. Stroll through its rooms fully furnished in period style, its stables and its superb French formal gardens.

• Historic Town & Château de Saumur: Explore the majestic town of Saumur. Visit its legendary Château de Saumur offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the river, then stroll through the historic centre with its tuffeau stone facades.

• Troglodyte Cellar & Archaeological Site in Brain-sur-Allonnes: Finish on a high note in Brain-sur-Allonnes by discovering the medieval site of the Chevalerie de Sacé and the troglodyte dwellings carved directly into the rock. Ideal crossing via the Loire levee at Villebernier.

Anjou Fouées & Saumur Brut: Sit down in a troglodyte cave restaurant to enjoy fouées, small balls of bread baked in a wood-fired oven and stuffed hot with garlic butter, rillettes or mogettes (white beans), accompanied by a glass of Saumur Brut.