Family cycling tour in the Loire Chateaux country
- 4 days / 3 days riding
- / ref. L1
- / Difficulty Very Easy
- / Round trip
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 !
Tour highlights
- ‘The secrets of Marlinspike’ exhibition in Cheverny
- An easy and accessible to all itinerary
- Discover the chateaux of Chambord and Cheverny
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 | 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.
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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
Documents
> Download tour programSelect your category
Your accommodation
• 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
• 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
•
A personalized travel app, including all your cycling stages as well as tourist and practical information
•
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
•
A personalized travel app, including all your cycling stages as well as tourist and practical information
•
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%
(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’’)
- “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 our shop.
At the end of the tour, leave the rental bikes at our partner, we will pick them up.
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.
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
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 : / 11 testimonials
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« Belle expérience »Sakina France« Nous sommes des adeptes de la randonnée pédestre et Rando Vélo nous a aidé à franchir de le cap de la ... »
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« Très belle première expérience »Raphaële Angleterre« Une très belle première expérience de randonnée à vélo en famille qui nous a donné envie de ... »
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« L’application randovelo et l’organisation est top ! »Marine France« Parcours facile à faire avec des jeunes enfants. »
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« One of the most memorable holidays of my life »Mathilde USA« The Loire valley and the small part that we covered was awesome. You arangements were excellent- the bikes ... »
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« Thank you very much »Caroline New Zealand« We loved getting on a bike and exploring the Loire Valley. It is very well organised, the bikes are great, ... »
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« Sejour agreable »Laurie France« Très bonne 1ere expérience de rando velo en famille, en plus sous le soleil ! »
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« Tres bonne organisation. »Valérie France« Bonne expérience en famille. Tres bonne organisation. Bon accueil et prise en charge. Séjour dépaysant en ... »
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« Super »Jean François France« Circuit en boucle avec 2 enfants (8 et 10) !! Super les étapes adaptées les visites au top ! Nous avons ... »
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« Toujours satisfaits »François France« Cela fait maintenant la huitième fois que nous faisons du vélo par Randovélo. Les vélos sont parfaits ... »
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« Merci pour ce circuit de trois jours qui nous a enchantés »Marie Germany« Il s’agissait de la première étape de notre voyage de noces qui s’est poursuivi dans une autre ... »
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« Perfect bike trip for our family »Daniel France« This was a perfect bike trip for our family. The route information provided was excellent and we really ... »
