The Castles of the Loire Valley by bike, from Blois to Tours in 6 days

The Castles of the Loire Valley by bike via Chambord, Chenonceau or Chaumont

Enjoy an unforgettable bike ride along the Loire, combining history, heritage and nature. As soon as you arrive in Blois, you will discover its royal castle, its medieval streets and its warm atmosphere. Then, head for Chambord, Cheverny and their majestic estates, with surprising discoveries. Pedal through the Touraine vineyards, pass through charming cities and be amazed by unique panoramas of the Loire. On the way, savor the local specialties. Finally, treat yourself to a gourmet break in Amboise and Tours, treasures of art and gastronomy. You will create unforgettable memories with every pedal stroke.

Highlights of the stay on the Châteaux of the Loire by bike:

• Cities of Blois, Amboise and Tours
• Castle : Chambord, Chenonceau, Chaumont (among others)
• Vouvray vineyards
• Along the water, along the Cher and the Loire by bike

Day 1: arrival in Blois
Settle in the medieval city of Blois with its Royal Castle, its cathedral and its half-timbered houses, and take a trip back in time on the banks of the Loire.

Overnight in Blois

Day 2: from Blois to Cheverny via Chambord (44 km)
It is by a cycle path along the Loire that you leave Blois. You move away from the river to quickly reach Chambord, a majestic castle located in the middle of an immense national forest. Take the time to visit the castle and to admire its famous double-spiral staircase and some of its 426 rooms. The route continues on peaceful roads to reach Cheverny. Its pretty castle was a major inspiration for Hergé to design the Moulinsart castle in Tintin.

Overnight in Cheverny

Day 3: from Cheverny to Chaumont-sur-Loire or its surroundings (33 to 42 km)
Today, you cycle through the vineyards of Sologne before following the Beuvron, the Cosson and then the Loire. You arrive at Chaumont-sur-Loire and its incredible Estate where you can visit the castle but also "The Center of Arts and Nature" and "The International Garden Festival".

Overnight in the surroundings of Chumont-sur-Loire

Day 4: from Chaumont-sur-Loire or its surroundings to Amboise via Chenonceaux (43 to 59 km)
You cycle towards Amboise, its Royal Castle and the last home of Leonardo da Vinci. On the way, you follow the Loire and the Cher. Stop off at Chenonceau, a magnificent castle, built directly on the Cher.

Overnight in Amboise

Day 5: from Amboise to Tours (32 to 37 km)
This stage takes you through the hillside vineyards of Vouvray, which produce delicious still and sparkling white wines. You will see many troglodyte wine cellars. If you wish, a detour to the Château de Valmer and its Renaissance gardens offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area. Tours is just a few pedal strokes away.

Overnight in Tours

Day 6: Tours
End of the tour after breakfast. Possibility of additional night(s) to enjoy the city: take the time to stroll through the picturesque streets of old Tours and admire the half-timbered houses on Place Plumereau. Don't miss the majestic Saint-Gatien Cathedral and take a detour to the Museum of Fine Arts for an artistic journey. Don't forget to taste the gastronomy of Tours, renowned for its specialties and wines.

General information:

• 6 days and 5 nights
• Accommodation comfort level
• Standard: 2 / 3* hotels
• Comfort: 3 / 4* hotels
• Deluxe: 4 / 5* hotels
• Children's rates: contact us

Dates 2025:

Departures every day from April 1st to November 2nd.

• Low season from 01/04 to 11/04 and from 13/09 to 02/11
• High season from 12/04 to 12/09

Included:

• 5 nights with breakfasts
• Tourist taxes
• Luggage transport
• Access to GPS App
• Assistance in the event of a breakdown (for rental bikes - except punctures)

Not included:

• Transport to the departure point
• Personal expenses
• Return from Tours
• Lunches
• Drinks
• Parking
• Personal expenses
• Visits other than those included in the program

Options:

• Standard bike or ebike rental
• Half board (5 dinners)
• Additional night(s) at the beginning or end of the tour
• Bicy +: visit pack of 5 castles (Blois, Chambord, Chaumont, Amboise and Chenonceau)
• Theft guarantee for the rented bike
• Cancellation insurance

Level :

1 2 3 4 5 6

Terrain:
Flat terrain. Cycle paths and shared paths of La Loire by bike.

Climate:
Mild sun, little wind and pleasant temperatures.

Technicality:

32 to 59 km per day, or about 3 to 6 hours of cycling.
Easy to follow itinerary.

Bibliography:

All the guides on the Loire à vélo: cartovelo.fr

Additional nights:
An additional night is offered to you at the beginning and end of the tour in Blois and Tours.

Meals:

• Breakfasts: copious (coffee, tea, chocolate, milk, bread, butter, jam, orange juice) or buffet
• Lunches: not included
• Dinners : half-board option with dinners at the hotel or in a nearby restaurant. Drinks not included.

The Bike:

• Rental bike: Standard bike or ebike. The rental bike is delivered to the first accommodation. At the end of the stay, we take care of the pick up of the bikes.
• Personal bike: we do not recommend bikes with small tires. Standard bikes and mountain bikes are excellent. Remember to service your bike before leaving. At the end of the tour, you will have to take care of your own bike.  The transport is at your expense. The theft guarantee does not apply to personal bikes.

Assistance:
Assistance in the event of a breakdown (except for punctures for which we do not intervene).

Luggage:
They are transported by a courier or by our team and limited to one piece of luggage per person. (maximum 20 kg).

Travel book :
A travel book and GPS App will be send by post before departure.

Transport:

• By train: 1h30 from Paris
• By road: Blois is located 190 km from Paris, approximately 2h45 journey
• By plane: Tours or Paris airport

Cancellation insurance :

In order to guarantee the reimbursement of costs in the event of cancellation of your stay, you can take out cancellation insurance. To learn more about insurance, click here.