« Indre » and « Cher à Vélo »: between hidden treasures and essentials
6 days / 5 days riding / ref. L33 / Difficulty Moderate / Round tripper person
Your bike trip between "Indre" and "Cher à vélo":
If you like the famous « Loire à Vélo », you will appreciate its « little sisters »: the “Indre à Vélo” and the “Cher à Vélo” cycling routes. Because the 2 affluents of the Loire river offer just as many heritage sites, picturesque villages and bucolic landscapes to discover!
Enjoy superb alternative routes, discovering more secrets treasures, sometimes hidden in the heart of a verdant and varied Touraine countryside.
Ride on unbeaten tracks, along the 2 rivers, recently developed and adapted for cycling, and where unknown sites (Medieval city of Loches and Montrichard, châteaux of Montpoupon, City-Garden of Chédigny and former abbeys) are composing with Loire Valley highlights (Chenonceau, Azay-le-Rideau et Amboise).
Tour highlights
- 2 nights in Loches to enjoy the superb medieval city
- Cycling routes along the Indre and Cher rivers
- The mix between essential sites and more confidential sites
Day 1Arrival in Tours
Take time to enjoy the old and vibrant quarters of Tours city and especially the “Place Plumereau”, a beautiful square with half-timbered houses. Take a look at the splendid gothic cathedral.
To discover the town and all its secrets, you can follow our “Tours Discovery Walk”, available via our app.
Day 2Tours – Azay le Rideau | 43 km
For your first bike stage, leave Tours town center following the “Loire à Vélo” cycling paths towards the famous French classical gardens of Villandry, then Azay le Rideau with its romantic château, a Renaissance marvel in a water and greenery setting.
V-Treney CRT Centre-Val-de-Loire
Visit on your own of this chateau, which is one of our favourites! Nestling on the banks of the river Indre, this romantic Renaissance chateau, which is still inhabited, is considered as the lesser known brother of the chateau of Azay-le-Rideau. At one time it sheltered the tempestuous love affair between the two great sculptors Camille Claudel and Auguste Rodin, and still holds evidence of their presence.
Day 3Azay le Rideau – Loches | 61 km
Day devoted to the very bucolic cycling route « Indre à Vélo »! First follow the mill road with pretty mansions unto the Medieval Fortress of Montbazon sheltering the oldest keep in France still standing. Continue to former Cormery abbey then the village of Reignac-sur-Indre where you see the 15th century castle. At the end of the route, the superb Royal city of Loches is waiting for you! Discover its medieval streets, its old keep, its Royal Lodge and its splendid romanesque Saint-Ours Collegial Church.
Gillard et Vincent – CRT Centre-Val de Loire
Discover France History from the Middle-Age to the Renaissance! Get in the Medieval town of Loches. Start the visit with the donjon, discover the lords’ life with their courts and armies, as well as their strategies developed to protect the town and its inhabitants. Follow the visit passing by the St Ours collegiate in the direction of the Royal dwelling. Follow the scenography and meet the historical characters who came and lived in Loches at important moments of French History to shape, to develop, to boost the economy of the town and to protect it.
Extra night in St Branchs
If the stage ‘Azay le Rideau – Loches’ (61 km) is too long, you can add a night halfway and stay in a pretty guesthouse close to the Indre à Vélo routes (it means 2 stages of around 35 km).
Day 4Excursion to Montrésor | 53 km
Bike escape into the Indrois Valley, to find other tiny treasures. Ride to Montrésor, classified as one of the « Most Beautiful Villages of France » and dominated by its surprising castle. Make a stop at the La Chartreuse du Liget to admire its vestiges which still testify to the importance of this 12th century monastery. Do not miss nearby the secret Chapel Saint-Jean-du-Liget, lost in the woods! Bike to Loches following the beautiful cycling routes through the forest.
château de Montrésor
On the top on Montrésor, the castle overhangs the Indrois’ valley. Since the 19th century, this castle belongs to a Polish family. It is like a little Poland in ‘Touraine’! The furniture richness, the Second empire style restoration, the localization in the heart of a peaceful village, define the castle as a real jewel! Visit this nice ‘chateau’ and its rich and amazing History.
Day 5Loches – Chenonceaux | 47 km
Ride to the city-garden of Chédigny, famous for its 800 rose trees of 250 different varieties. After wandering into this charming village, go the château de Montpoupon, overlooking a beautiful green valley. Then cross the Touraine vineyards to reach the Cher Valley and the unmissing château de Chenonceau, straddling elegantly the Cher river, and which was the scene of a famous rivalry in French history: that of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici.
D. Darrault – CRT Centre-Val de Loire
In its green setting, the chateau of Montpoupon rise on the vale: Cross the courtyard, open the castle’s door and listen to the owner’s conversation with his daughter, telling their history. Follow them from one room to the other, richly furnished: The dinning room, the king’s room, the amazing kitchen… Continue the visit with the gardens and the hunter’s museum (foxhunting). You will live an astonishing and unforgettable visit!
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).
Extra night in Chenonceaux + excursion loop to Montrichard & Cher valley (45 km)
Ride along the nice Cher river banks to Montrichard, an authentic medieval village dominated by its keep. Then, the Cher river guides you from troglodyte houses to former tufa stone quarries, became wine or murshroom cellars. Cross again the Touraine vineyards to the old Aiguevives abbey.
Day 6Chenonceaux – Tours | 37 km (or 48 km via Amboise)
Keep follow the “Cher à vélo” bike paths, between the river and beautiful mansions, before reaching the beautiful château de la Bourdaisière famous for its vegetable gardens: a tomato conservatory producing more than 650 varieties … unique in the world! Cross the village of Montlouis-sur-Loire, famous for its great white wines and the Loire river banks. The “Loire à Vélo” cycle paths lead you peacefully to the center of Tours.
Possibility to visit the Royal city of Amboise and its château (where lived the greatest Kings of France) and the Clos Lucé Manor House where lived Leonardo da Vinci, at the request of the French King François 1st! Go for a walk in the park landscaped around the artistic and visionary universe of the greatest creative genius.
Departure at the end of the day.
Possibility to book an extra night in Tours.
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.
The little extra with Biking France (optional):
Our « Visit Package », with entrance fees to
. château de Chenonceaux
. château de l’Islette
. Keep and Royal Lodge of Loches
. château de Montrésor
. château de Montpoupon
Documents
> Download tour programSelect your category
Your accommodation
• 5 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 5 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
• 5 dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (5 nights included)
• 5 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 5 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
• 5 dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (5 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)
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 journey
Tour description
Mix of cycling paths or signposted routes for cyclists (about 90%) and small traffic roads.
Bike stages trip profiles:
(click below to see the trip profile of each stage)
Tours – Azay-le-Rideau : 43km / elevation gain: 96m / elevation loss: 96m
Azay-le-Rideau – Loches : 61km / elevation gain: 403m / elevation loss: 381m
Excursion à Montrésor : 53km / elevation gain: 500m / elevation loss: 500m
Loches – Chenonceaux : 47km / elevation gain: 427m / elevation loss: 431m
Chenonceaux – Tours : 37km / elevation gain: 121m / elevation loss: 136m
Chenonceaux – Tours (via Amboise) : 48km / elevation gain: 280m / elevation loss: 295m
Navigation app
Besides the maps, we also provide a personalised navigation app showing points of interest along the route.
How to arrive in Tours
By train
From Paris Montparnasse train station >> Tours train station (about 1h by TGV 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 >> Tours train station (by TGV train).
www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passengers/access/paris-charles-de-gaulle/public-transport
- From Orly airport:
– Taxi transfer to Paris Montparnasse train station >> Tours train station.
– Bus shuttle (Le Bus Direct) : from Orly Sud or Ouest >> Line 1 >> Paris Montparnasse train station >> Tours train station.
www.lebusdirect.com/en/lines-and-schedules/orly-airport-paris-etoile-champs-elysees-line.html
– Bus shuttle (Orly Bus) : from Orly Sud or Ouest > > Paris centre – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 4 >> Montparnasse train station >> Tours train station.
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlybus.php
– Orly Val (automatic metro): from Orly Sud or Ouest >> Paris – stop ‘Antony’ >> RER B – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 4 >> Montparnasse train station >> Tours train station.
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlyval.php
www.transilien.com/en
www.ratp.fr/en/plans-lignes
- From Beauvais airport:
– Taxi transfer to Paris Montparnasse train station >> Tours train station.
– Bus shuttle >> Paris – stop ‘Porte Maillot’ >> Metro line 1 + line 13 >> Paris Montparnasse train station >> Tours train station.
www.aeroportparisbeauvais.com/en/acces-et-transports/navettes/
- From Tours airport:
– Taxi transfer or TRAM (tramway – from stop « Terminus Vaucanson ») line A >> stop ‘Nationale’ or Jean Jaurès’ or ‘Gare de Tours’.
www.tours.aeroport.fr/gp/Parking-and-Transport/309
- From Nantes airport:
– Taxi transfer or Bus shuttle « TAN » : Nantes train station >> Tours 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).
– Tours train Station >> Paris Austerlitz Station (by train).
– Tours train Station >> Paris Montparnasse Station (by TGV train)
– Tours train Station >> Saint Pierre des Corps train Station (by train) >> Roissy Charles de Gaulle T.2 train station (by TGV train).
Nearby airport
– Tours Airport : www.tours.aeroport.fr/home
