Overcast day to start and not too hot. We started off on the opposite side of the river from the official route. It was a really pretty ride right beside the water and lots of shady trees. Beautiful homes and gardens. Our first stop was near the 3rd nuclear power plant where there was a nice area to rest and have a drink. As we followed the route towards Sancerre, we got a great view of the rolling hills filled with vineyards on the distance. Mostly flat paved dedicated bike paths/roads. We were going to stop at Pouilly-sur-Loire (56 km from Briare) but felt good with continued flat path. So we pushed on to La Charite-sur-Loire. Our biggest day yet at 73km. Showers felt good and ready to eat!!

La Charite-sur-Loire developed around an 11th century abbey. A fire in 1559 mostly devastated the abbey but it was rebuilt leaving some of the original parts still in view. Many narrow lanes in the old city.The monks constructed the nice stone bridge over the Loire in 1520.