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4-day family holiday in the heart of the Loire Valley castles

  • 4 days / 3 days riding
  •  / ref. L6
  • / Difficulty Easy
  •  / Round trip
from 480 €
per person
Book
Book

Your bike ride around Amboise and Chenonceaux

Rendez-vous in Amboise, a pretty royal city, for a cycling tour through the most emblematic châteaux of the Loire Valley. Discover the Château de Chenonceau, the Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire and its astonishing International Garden Festival, not forgetting the Manoir du Clos Lucé where the genius of Leonardo da Vinci spent the last years of his life!

In 3 days, ride along the Loire river, through the vineyards of the Touraine Amboise appellation, between forests and sunflower fields… and why not dare to take a little canoe trip on the Cher river to pass under the majestic arches of the Château de Chenonceau.

View trip map

Tour highlights

  • The variety of landscapes at each stage
  • Chenonceaux, Amboise, Chaumont sur Loire ... the most elegant castles!
  • The possibility to choose between short and long stages

Day 1 Arrival in Amboise


Stroll through the nice royal city of Amboise, settled on the Loire river banks and proudly dominated by its 15th and 16th century castle. In the chapel of the castle is the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci, and a few streets further on the last home of this creative genius: the Manoir du Clos Lucé.

Day 2 Amboise – Chenonceaux | 22 km (or 42 km via Montlouis)


Get on your bike and ride peacefully to the famous château de Chenonceau, nicknamed the Ladies’ castle. Original and majestic, it is the perfect embodiment of the elegance of Renaissance castles.

An extension to Montlouis-sur-Loire and its vineyards is possible, offering nice glimpses of the Château de la Bourdaisière and Château de Nitray, as well as a beautiful ride along the Cher.

Optional
Visit of the Chateau of Chenonceau (Included in the "Visit Package")
chat chenonceau

F-Charel – CRT centre

Take your time to discover this estate named “Chateau des dames” where reigns elegance and the French way of life. Renaissance masterpiece with architecture unique in the world straddling the Cher River. Don’t miss to visit the flower gardens which was the scene of a famous rivalry in French History: that of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medicis.

Optional
Canoe trip on the Cher river
balade en canoe

JF Souchard Canoe company

Enjoy a canoe trip offering you an extraordinary point of view on the Château de Chenonceau! Admire the bucolic shores of the Cher river and appreciate the outstanding beauty of the Château de Chenonceau as you pass under the arches of the castle (approx. 2h – June 1st > October).

Day 3 Chenonceaux – Chaumont-sur-Loire | 25 km (or 53 km via Montrichard)


A last look at Chenonceau Castle before leaving the Cher Valley to join the banks of the Loire river. Follow the signposted roads across the fields to Chaumont-sur-Loire, where the château proudly overlooks the Loire river from the cliff top. Let be surprised by the International Garden Festival, which never ceases to reinvent itself every year! An amazing walk between contemporary art and lush gardens.

You can extend your tour through the vineyards of Touraine to the ruins of the former Abbey of Aiguevives and the authentic medieval village of Montrichard.

Optional
Visit of the International Garden Festival & Chateau of Chaumont-sur-Loire (Included in the "Visit Package")

C. Diaz

Free chateau entrance which proudly dominates the town and the river and where Catherine de Médicis queen lived.
Follow on your visit discovering the extraordinary International Garden Festival. It’s a real laboratory for contemporary gardens where many landscape creators challenge their imagination with originality.

Day 4 Chaumont-sur-Loire – Amboise | 21 km


For your last day, alternate between Loire river banks and the vineyards… but still on the “Loire à Vélo” trails! Take a leisurely ride to Amboise, where a stop at the Manoir du Clos Lucé is a must. Visit the last residence of Leonardo da Vinci, stroll through the park and its pleasant landscaped path. Unless you prefer the more confidential Château Gaillard? Magnificently restored and open since 2014, the castle was the site of the first Renaissance gardens in France on the initiative of Dom Pacello de Mercogliano, the most famous gardener in Europe in 1500.
Departure at the end of the day.

Possibility of an extra night in Amboise.

Optional
Visit of the Clos Lucé – Parc Leonardo Da Vinci (Included in the "Visit Package")

Clos Lucé

Free visit of the Manor House where Leonardo da Vinci, at the request of the French King François 1st, spent the last three years of his life. Discover his workshop and the fabulous machines designed by the inventor. Then go for a walk in the park landscaped around the artistic and visionary universe of the greatest creative genius.

The little extra with Biking France (optional):


Our « Visit Package », with entrance fees to

. château de Chenonceaux
. Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire (château + Garden Festival)
. Clos Lucé – Parc Leonardo Da Vinci in Amboise


Select your category

category Standard
category superior
category privilege

Your accommodation

These hotels offer all the comfort and well-earned rest after a cycling day (private bathroom). A perfect place to enjoy all the centres of interest around.
These hotels provide charming services on high quality as well as a great location.
These accommodations are selected for their impeccable and prestigious service.
Pictures for indicative purposes. Depending on the availability.
Including :

• 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
• A personalized travel app, including all your cycling stages as well as tourist and practical information
• City taxes
• Hotline 7 days a week

Not including :

• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
• Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
• Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
• Single room supplement (3 nights included)

Including :

• 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
• A personalized travel app, including all your cycling stages as well as tourist and practical information
• City taxes
• Hotline 7 days a week

Not including :

• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
• Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
• Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
• Single room supplement (3 nights included)

Including :

• 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
• A personalized travel app, including all your cycling stages as well as tourist and practical information
• City taxes
• Hotline 7 days a week

Not including :

• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
• Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
• Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
• Single room supplement (3 nights included)

Children discount :from 0 to 2 years old : - 90%
from 3 to 11 years old : - 20%
from 12 to 15 years old : - 10%

(Children's discounts only apply when triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by at least 2 people paying the full rate)

VTC GITANE bike - 21 speed gears

(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.

SCOTT Sub Sport 20 - 27 speed gears

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.

MOUSTACHE e-bike

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)

Equipment & Bike for children

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’’)

velo enfant

  • “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)

Practical details

Bikes will be delivered at your hotel.

At the end of the tour, leave the rental bikes at our partner, we will pick them up.

Your travel appYour journeyHow to arrive in AmboiseReturn

Your travel app

You’ll have personalized access to our travel app, which you can download onto your smartphone.
This app includes all your cycling stages, tourist and practical content, as well as your accommodation. The application will guide you along your route, like a GPS, during your cycling stages.

If you would like a printed version of the roadbook (including color maps of your stages), please let us know when you book your trip. It will be provided at your first accommodation.

How to arrive in Amboise

By train
From Paris Austerlitz train station to Amboise train station (about 1h40 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) >> Amboise train station (by regular train).

– RER B >> Paris centre – stop ‘Chatelet Les Halles  >> Metro line 1 + line 10 >> Paris Austerlitz train station >> Amboise 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 >> Amboise train station.

– Bus shuttle (Orly Bus) : from Orly Sud > > Paris centre – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 6 + line 5 >> Austerlitz train station >> Amboise 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 >> Amboise train station.
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlyval.php

  • From Beauvais airport:
    – Taxi transfer to Paris Austerlitz train station >> Amboise train station.

– Bus shuttle >> Paris – stop ‘Porte Maillot’ >> >> Metro line 1 + line 10 >> Paris Austerlitz train station >> Amboise train station.
www.aeroportparisbeauvais.com/en/acces-et-transports/navettes/

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.)
    – Amboise Station >> Paris Austerlitz Station (by train).
    – Amboise Station >> Saint Pierre des Corps Station >> Paris Montparnasse Station (by TGV train).
    – Amboise Station >> Saint Pierre des Corps Station >> Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV Station (by TGV train).

Nearby Airports
– Tours Airport : www.tours.aeroport.fr/home
– Nantes Airport : www.nantes.aeroport.fr


Trip overall rating : 5 *****/ 11 testimonials

  • « Bonne organisation » 10 *****
    « Nous avons beaucoup aimé notre randonnée à vélo entre les châteaux d’Ambroise de Chenonceaux et de ... »
    France
  • « Beau séjour » 10 *****
    « Beau séjour qui allie le sportif et le culturel et fait découvrir des châteaux très variés. ... »
    France
  • « Nous sommes revenus ravis » 10 *****
    « Ce tour a été une super découverte avec mes enfants de 8/11/15 ans. Les distances de 20/28 km par jours ... »
    France
  • « Très bonne première expérience » 9 *****
    « Nous espérons réitérer l’an prochain ailleurs Découvrir un bout de région à vélo est vraiment bien.  »
    France
  • « Looking forward to doing it again!! » 9 *****
    « Most enjoyable, amazing sight seeing through the stunning French countryside! Suitable for young and old!!  »
    Ireland
  • « Nous avons qu’une envie c’est de repartir à nouveau pour des nouvelles aventures avec Rando Velo » 10 *****
    « C’est la première fois que nous avons visité la Vallée de la Loire et ses châteaux a vélo. Grace a ... »
    France
  • « Très beau voyage » 8 *****
    « Organisation claire en amont et pendant le voyage, tout est facilité. Je recommande !  »
    France
  • « Très agréables vacances. » 10 *****
    « Très agréables vacances. Actives et enrichissantes. A notre rythme. Accueil sympathique sur les lieux ... »
    France
  • « Tout était très bien. » 9 *****
    « Nous avons beaucoup aimé notre voyage, les étapes étaient parfaites pour laisser le temps de faire des ... »
    France
  • « Excellent séjour » 8 *****
    « Excellent séjour, de très beaux parcours en vélo qui varient les paysages, de magnifiques sites à ... »
    France
  • « Très bon séjour le long de la Loire ! » 9 *****
    « Nous avons passé un très bon séjour le long de la Loire et cette formule (boucle rando) a été ... »
    France