Deluxe bike tour in the Loire Valley chateaux region
7 days / 6 days riding / ref. L16 / Difficulty Moderate / Round tripper person
Your cycling tour in the Loire Valley :
Enjoy your cycling stay in the best deluxe chateaux-hotels of the Loire Valley. These sumptuous residences will guarantee you comfort and a warm welcome.
Along the Loire Valley area, discover wonderful treasures of art and architecture, beautiful landscapes and taste the refined flavours of local gastronomy accompanied by prestigious local wines.
Tour highlights
- Stay in the greastest charming chateaux-hotels
- The unmissable chateaux of Chambord and Chenonceau
- The wealth of the local gastronomy and Chefs’ talents
Day 1Arrival in Amboise
Enjoy this pleasant royal city, dominated by its proud château will remind you of its rich and glorious Renaissance past, in the age of the greatest kings of France. Do not forget to visit the Leonardo Da Vinci Park and the Clos Lucé Manorhouse where the famous Italian genius spent the last 3 years of his life.
Included: a welcome bottle of local wine in your room.
Day 2Amboise – Montbazon | 46 km
Follow the “Loire à Vélo” cycling paths through the vineyards of Montlouis and its numerous wine cellars producing the famous sweet or sparkling white wines. You will have the opportunity to reach the beautiful château de la Bourdaisière famous for its vegetable gardens: a tomato conservatory producing more than 650 varieties … unique in the world! Then proceed along the Touraine countryside to reach your next chateau-hotel.
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.
Day 3Excursion to Azay le Rideau | 55 km
Ride on the “Indre à vélo” cycling paths along the winding Indre river and admire its beautiful mills and typical
villages, before joining Azay le Rideau and its romantic Renaissance château, elegantly enclosed in its water
and greenery setting.
Included: SPA access for 2 days
Léonard de Serres
Free visit of this chateau, which is a real jewel of the Loire Valley. Built during the reign of the French King, François 1st, today it is considered a model of French Renaissance architecture. Its exceptional location, on an island in the middle of the River Indre, gives it a pleasant, romantic atmosphere.
Day 4Montbazon – Chenonceaux | 43 km or 59 km
Ride along the tortuous Indre river to reach the Cher Valley by crossing vineyards and typical small Touraine villages. Then, you will discover Chenonceaux, famous for its Renaissance château spanning the Cher river still steeped in the memories of the famous French History ladies : Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis.
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.
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 – from the 1st weekend of June to October).
Day 5Chenonceaux – Cheverny | 47 km
Leave the Chenonceaux to reach the nice medieval village of Montrichard. It is time to ride through the vineyards of Touraine area via the chateau of Gué Péan and the medieval chateau of Fougères sur Bièvre, a perfect illustration of the traditional 15th century building art. A beautiful itinerary through the countryside and vineyards before reaching the famous château of Cheverny.
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 6Excursion to Chambord | 50 km
Today, ride through ‘Sologne’! First of all, reach the Château de Villesavin before crossing the Sologne area and its magnificent forest landscapes dotted with ponds and majestically dominated by the Château de Chambord, the most famous and majestic château in the Loire Valley. This is a true masterpiece of the French Renaissance which has no less than 440 pieces, built under the reign of François 1st.
Included: a lunch in a gourmet restaurant at the foot of the chateau de Chambord.
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.
Léonard de Serres
Take off near your hotel and enjoy an original view of the chateaux from the sky: an unforgettable moment!
(On a minimum basis of 2 participants – non exclusive flight, depending on the weather conditions)
Day 7Cheverny – Amboise | 51 km
For your last cycling day, ride through the AOC Cheverny vineyards before going back on “Loire à Vélo” cycling tracks! Reach the castle of Chaumont sur Loire. Not to be missed: The International Garden Festival which takes place in the vast park of the Estate. An absolute laboratory for the contemporary creation, where the world famous designers challenge their originality. Then go on, between vineyards and Loire river, to reach the royal city of Amboise.
Departure at the end of the stage.
Possibility to add an extra night in Amboise.
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.
ADT37 – JC Coutand
Vary the pleasures and treat yourself a new way to discover all the wealth that the Loire river can offer. From your canoe, peacefully tame the last wild river in Europe and admire extraordinary views of its fauna and flora, combined with an incomparable feeling of being far from civilization.
The little extra with Biking France :
Our « Visit Package », with entrance fees to
. Domaine de Chambord (chateau & gardens)
. château de Cheverny + “The Secrets of Marlinspike Hall” exhibition
. château de Chenonceaux
. château d’Azay-le-Rideau
. Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire (château + Garden Festival)
. Clos Lucé – Parc Leonardo Da Vinci in Amboise
+ a wine tasting in Cheverny
Documents
> Download tour programSelect your category
Your accommodation
Chateau-hotel nestled in a wooded park overlooking the Loire river, former 'Relais de Poste' beautifully restored or 18th century castle, set in the heart of a large 25-hectare park: stay in the most beautiful chateaux-hotels in the Vallée de la Loire. Loire.
• 6 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom) in 5-star hotels
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 6 days
•
1 welcome bottle of local wine
•
SPA access for 2 days at château d’Artigny in Montbazon
•
1 lunch in a gourmet restaurant at the foot of the chateau de Chambord (drinks excluded)
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
•
A personalised 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 (6 nights included)
from 3 to 11 years old : - 20%
from 12 to 15 years old : - 10%
(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum )
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’’)
- “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)
Your journey
Tour description:
Mix of cycling paths or signposted routes for cyclists (about 60%) and small traffic roads.
Bike stages trip profiles:
(click below to see the trip profile of each stage)
- stage Amboise – Montbazon : 46 km / elevation gain : 325m / elevation loss : 287m
- excursion Montbazon – Azay le Rideau – Montbazon : 52 km / elevation gain : 343m / elevation loss : 341m
- stage Montbazon – Chenonceaux (via château de Montpoupon) : 59 km / elevation gain : 390m / elevation loss : 416m
- stage Montbazon – Chenonceaux (via Bléré) : 43 km / elevation gain : 231m / elevation loss : 257m
- stage Chenonceaux – Cheverny : 47 km / elevation gain : 204m / elevation loss : 174m
- excursion Cheverny – Chambord – Cheverny : 50 km / elevation gain : 231m / elevation loss : 231m
- stage Cheverny – Amboise : 51 km / elevation gain : 333m / elevation loss : 372m
Navigation app:
Besides the maps, we also provide an application accessible on your smartphone that guides you as a GPS device and indicates the points of tourist interest on your route. You will also find the details of the accommodations of your trip and practical information.
How to arrive in Amboise
By train:
From Paris: Austerlitz train station >> Amboise train station (about 1h55).
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/
- From Tours airport:
– Taxi transfer or TRAM (tramway – from stop « Terminus Vaucanson ») line A >> Tours train station >> Amboise train station.
www.tours.aeroport.fr/gp/Parking-and-Transport/309
- From Nantes airport:
– Taxi transfer or Bus shuttle « TAN » : Nantes train station >> Amboise 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.)
– 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
