+33(0)2 54 78 62 52Family cycling tour in the Loire Chateaux country
- ‘The secrets of Marlinspike’ exhibition in Cheverny
- An easy and accessible to all itinerary
- Discover the chateaux of Chambord and Cheverny
/ 10 testimonials
Reference : L1
Difficulty : Very Easy
Round trip
From March to October
Departure: daily
Some questions about this trip ?
Contact us +33(0)2 54 78 62 52 or by email
> Download tour program
Your cycling tour in the Loire Valley château country:
Take a journey off the beaten track to discover the prestigious Loire châteaux, including
the most majestic of all, the Château de Chambord.
On your discovery journey, let your senses be seduced by flavours that only the Sologne
can offer !
Day 1 : Arrival in Blois
Discover the charming town of Blois, as you stroll along its paved streets punctuated with staircases, and the château, a perfect illustration of how French architecture evolved between the Middle Ages and the 17th century.
Accommodation in Blois or Vineuil.
Day 2 : Blois – Bracieux or Tour en Sologne | 20 km / 30 km
This route will introduce you to the prestigious Chambord estate and château, a true masterpiece of French Renaissance style, boasting no less than 440 rooms and built during the reign of Francis I.
RandoVélo
Free visit of the chateau, the Renaissance Splendour built for the glory of François Ist. Chambord boasts 440 rooms and 282 chimneys, it’s the most impressive and prestigious from the Loire Valley. And take time to enjoy the new French style gardens.
Day 3 : Bracieux or Tour en Sologne – Cour Cheverny or Chitenay | 20 km / 35 km
Head to Bracieux, a pretty little Sologne village which has preserved its magnificent 16th-century covered market. Then this day’s trip, at the gateway of Sologne, will take you to the Château de Cheverny, remarkable for its sumptuously furnished apartments, which inspired Hergé for Captain Haddock’s Marlinspike. The Cheverny estate also houses an exhibition dedicated to the famous reporter Tintin: The secrets of Marlinspike. And don’t hesitate to stop for a visit to a local wine producer to sample a glass of Cour Cheverny Blanc !
Option : possibility to extend your stage with a ride along the small routes of Sologne, between forests and beautiful manor houses.
pixabay
Take a guided tour to understand the universe of chocolate, its history and the way it is made. You will discover the passion of Max Vauché and his secrets and you will experience a real visit to the heart of chocolate, with a tasting and other temptations in our boutique.
RandoVelo / Moulinsart2008
Free visit of the chateau remarkable for its sumptuously furnished apartments… and where always lives the same heir family since VI centuries!
This chateau inspired Hergé for Captain Haddock’s Marlinspike. Get out the fairy tale, truly to live life size the famous Tintin adventures thanks to interactive exhibition.
pixabay
Discover and taste the ‘Cheverny’ appellation wines, in the cellar of a winegrower or at the Cheverny wine house.
Day 4 : Cour Cheverny or Chitenay – Blois | 20 km / 30 km
Go and discover small private châteaux such as the Château de Beauregard famous for its impressive portrait gallery and its park before returning to Blois when leaving the forest of Russy.
Departure at the end of the stage.
Possibility to book an additional night in Blois.
The little extra with Biking France (optional):
Our « Visit Package », with entrance fees to
. Domaine de Chambord (chateau & gardens)
. château de Cheverny + “The Secrets of Marlinspike Hall” exhibition
. The Max Vauché Chocolate Factory
+ a wine tasting in Cheverny
Select your category
- from March 1st to April 6th
from October 1st to 31st - Departure: daily
180 € / pers.*
240 € / pers.*
- from April 7th to 30th
from May 12th to June 30th
from September 1st to 30th - Departure: daily
180 € / pers.*
240 € / pers.*
- from May 1st to 11th
from July 1st to August 31st - Departure: daily
180 € / pers.*
240 € / pers.*
Category's details
• 3 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 3 days
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
•
A personalized navigation app showing points of interest along the route
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (3 nights included)
• 3 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 3 days
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
•
A personalized navigation app showing points of interest along the route
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (3 nights included)
from 3 to 11 years old : - 30%
from 12 to 15 years old : - 20%
(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum )
According to the category(price per person)
(including 3 dinners – excluding drinks)
(accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
+ 60 € / pers.
+ 50 € / pers.*
Mid season
+ 60 € / pers.
+ 50 € / pers.*
High season
+ 67 € / pers.
+ 57 € / pers.*
+ 80 € / pers.
+ 60 € / pers.*
from 0 to 2 years old : - 90% / from 3 to 11 years old : - 30% / from 12 to 15 years old : - 20%
(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum )
Extras
If you bring your own bike.
SCOTT bike – “Sub Sport 20”
. Domaine de Chambord (chateau & gardens)
. château de Cheverny + “The Secrets of Marlinspike Hall” exhibition
. The Max Vauché Chocolate Factory
+ a wine tasting in Cheverny
(for children: a discount will be applied according to ages – after booking)
- Baby seat :
- Trailer :
- 'follow-me' tandem :
+ 15 € / pers.
+ 45 € / pers.
+ 45 € / pers.
(in the case of a single person per booking)
Your accommodation
Your cycle hire
(bike included in this tour)
A bike that favors an upright, comfortable position, ideal for leisure riding.
OPEN frame, until 1m83
CLOSED frame, from 1m83
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 front pannier with a map holder
- 1 repair kit
- 1 smartphone holder
- 1 lock
- 1 bottle cage
Helmet not provided.
A “sport” bike that favors a more athletic position and riding style.
OPEN frame, until 1m83
CLOSED frame, from 1m83
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 front pannier with a map holder
- 1 repair kit
- 1 smartphone holder
- 1 lock
- 1 bottle cage
Helmet not provided.
OPEN frame
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 front pannier with a map holder
- 1 repair kit
- 1 smartphone holder
- 1 lock
Helmet not provided.
(These models of e-bikes may be replaced by another one, similar)
We provide bikes and equipment for children such as :
- children’s bike
(from 16 to 24 inches – from 1,05m to 1,45m / from 3’5’’ to 4’9’’)
- “follow-me” tandem
(for children from 5 to 8 years old – about 1,05m / 1,30m – from 3’5’’ to 4’4’’)
The “follow-me” is a clever coupling device that allows you to attach the child’s bike to your bike with ease. It can be removed easily to let the child ride alone.
- trailer
(for baby or 25 kg maximum children)
- baby seat
(for baby or 22 kg maximum children, fixed on the rear rack)
- Bikes will be delivered at our shop.
- At the end of the tour, leave the rental bikes at our partner, we will pick them up.
> How to arrive in Blois
> Return
Your journey
Tour description
Mix of cycling paths or signposted routes for cyclists (about 90%) and small traffic roads.
Bike stages trip profiles
Day1:
. Blois – Bracieux : 30km / elevation gain: 100m / elevation loss: 79m
. Blois – Tour-en-Sologne : 31km / elevation gain: 137m / elevation loss: 103m
Day 2:
. Bracieux – Cour Cheverny: 15km or 33 km / elevation gain: 40m / elevation loss: 46m
. Tour-en-Sologne – Chitenay : 28km / elevation gain: 170m / elevation loss: 189m
Day 3:
. Cour Cheverny – Blois : 30km / elevation gain: 66m / elevation loss: 80m
. Chitenay – Blois : 18km / elevation gain: 99m / elevation loss: 115m
Navigation app
Besides the maps, we also provide a personalized navigation app showing points of interest along the route.
How to arrive in Blois
By train
From Paris Austerlitz train station to Blois train station (about 1h30 by train).
For more information, do not hesitate to visit : www.sncf.com/en
By plane
From Roissy CDG airport:
– Roissy Charles de Gaulle T.2 train station >> St Pierre des Corps train station (by TGV train) >> Blois train station (by regular train).
– RER B >> Paris centre – stop ‘Chatelet Les Halles >> Metro line 1 + line 10 >> Paris Austerlitz train station >> Blois train station.
www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passengers/access/paris-charles-de-gaulle/public-transport
www.transilien.com/en
www.ratp.fr/en/plans-lignes
- From Orly airport:
– Taxi transfer to Paris Austerlitz train station >> Blois train station.
– Bus shuttle (Orly Bus) : from Orly Sud > > Paris centre – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 6 + line 5 >> Austerlitz train station >> Blois train station.
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlybus.php
– Orly Val (automatic metro) >> Paris – stop ‘Antony’ >> RER B – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 6 + line 5 >> Austerlitz train station >> Blois train station.
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlyval.php
- From Beauvais airport:
– Taxi transfer to Paris Austerlitz train station >> Blois train station.
– Bus shuttle >> Paris – stop ‘Porte Maillot’ >> >> Metro line 1 + line 10 >> Paris Austerlitz train station >> Blois train station.
www.aeroportparisbeauvais.com/en/acces-et-transports/navettes/
- From Tours airport:
– Taxi transfer or TRAM (tramway – from stop « Terminus Vaucanson ») line A >> Tours train station >> Blois train station.
www.tours.aeroport.fr/gp/Parking-and-Transport/309
- From Nantes airport:
– Taxi transfer or Bus shuttle « TAN » : Nantes train station >> Blois train station.
www.tan.fr/fr/menu/se-deplacer/tan/navette-aeroport/
Return
If you have to return to Paris (city centre) / Paris Airports:
- This return can be carry out by RandoVelo/Biking France.
- A return transfer by train is possible and organised on your own. Please visit: www.sncf.com/en
Plan to go to the train station with your luggage (and your potential own bike)
(Personal bike return costs are on your responsibility).
– Blois Station >> Paris Austerlitz Station (by train).
– Blois Station >> Saint Pierre des Corps Station >> Paris Montparnasse Station (by TGV train).
– Blois Station >> Saint Pierre des Corps Station >> Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV Station (by TGV train).
Nearby Airport:
– Tours Airport : www.tours.aeroport.fr/home
Trip overall rating : / 10 testimonials
Angleterre
travel date: 18 August 2023.
Une très belle première expérience de randonnée à vélo en famille qui nous a donné envie de recommencer ! Nous remercions toute l’équipe de Rando Vélo qui a toujours été réactive et efficace face à nos demandes.
France
travel date: 14 August 2023.
Parcours facile à faire avec des jeunes enfants.
USA
travel date: 14 June 2023.
The Loire valley and the small part that we covered was awesome. You arangements were excellent- the bikes were in a very good condition and we found them very comfortable. The hotels were very clean and well appointed and we had the most delicious meals. We found the route very easy to follow and we felt very safe. We love the countryside and we could savour it at our leisure. We shall surely recommend it to anyone wishing to do the Loire valley. Yours sincerely.
New Zealand
travel date: 30 May 2023.
We loved getting on a bike and exploring the Loire Valley. It is very well organised, the bikes are great, their app and information is excellent and there’s a good mixture of biking, sight-seeing, tours, downtime and history. We would love to come back to France and do another of Randovelo’s biking tours.
France
travel date: 17 April 2023.
Très bonne 1ere expérience de rando velo en famille, en plus sous le soleil !
France
travel date: 24 August 2022.
Bonne expérience en famille. Tres bonne organisation. Bon accueil et prise en charge. Séjour dépaysant en toute sérénité. A améliorer : détails et conseils sur la gestion du temps des parcours/visites dans le but d’anticiper la journee surtout pour une 1ere expérience et avec des enfants!
France
travel date: 20 August 2022.
Circuit en boucle avec 2 enfants (8 et 10) !! Super les étapes adaptées les visites au top ! Nous avons tous les 4 apprécié ces 4 jours, la logistique est vraiment un plus dans ce voyage : rien à penser juste à profiter !!!!! Je recommande vivement et vivement l année prochaine sur un autre circuit !!!!!
France
travel date: 04 July 2022.
Cela fait maintenant la huitième fois que nous faisons du vélo par Randovélo. Les vélos sont parfaits ainsi que les hôtels et le portage des bagages.
Germany
travel date: 05 June 2022.
Il s’agissait de la première étape de notre voyage de noces qui s’est poursuivi dans une autre région. Nous sommes prêts à “resouscrire” avec RandoVélo à tout moment (sous réserve de temps bien sûr). Nous avons vécu de belles rencontres au gré des chemins parcourus, profité de la nature en délogeant sangliers et chevreuils dans le domaine du parc de Chambord. Nous avons apprécié la visite de 4 châteaux sur notre parcours. Bref, nous avons savouré cette escapade sur toute la ligne.
France
travel date: 26 May 2022.
This was a perfect bike trip for our family. The route information provided was excellent and we really enjoyed our experience. Would highly recommend!
Some questions about this trip ?
Contact us +33(0)2 54 78 62 52 or by email
