Loire à Vélo: cycle tour from Blois to Tours along the great chateaux
- Discovery of the Loire Valley greatest chateaux: Chambord, Cheverny, Chenonceau, Amboise!
- A bit of shopping in Tours … while visiting the old town!
- Loire à Vélo cycling paths!
/ 53 testimonials
Reference : L5
Difficulty : Easy
Linear trip
From March to November
Departure: daily
Some questions about this trip ?
Contact us +33(0)2 54 78 62 52 or by email
Your cycling tour in the Loire Valley:
Follow the nice ‘Loire à Vélo’ cycling paths along the Loire River and take the time to discover the Greatest châteaux of the Loire Valley, such as Chambord, Chenonceaux and Amboise.
During this tour, enjoy the beautiful towns where you will be staying … for a shopping escapade in the heart of the historical downtowns … or to rest for a while at your hotel.
Day 1 : Arrival in Blois and bike excursion to Chambord | 40 km
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.
For your first bike excursion, follow the banks of the Loire and continue through the rich Domaine de Chambord forest, where a stop is essential to visit the most famous and majestic château of the Loire Valley. In its Renaissance splendour, the Château de Chambord boasts no less than 440 rooms. You can also explore its 5433-hectare (13425-acre) park, before setting off again along the country paths towards Blois.
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 2 : Excursion to Cheverny | 49 km
Your itinerary takes you through fields and vineyards, and a number of villages, via the Château de Troussay, a charming Renaissance manor, and the Château de Cheverny, remarkable for its sumptuously furnished and decorated apartments, which inspired Hergé’s vision of Marlinspike in the adventures of Tintin!
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 3 : Blois – Amboise | 39 km
Follow the ‘Loire à Vélo’ cycling tracks through nice tiny villages to the château of Chaumont-sur-Loire, which majestically dominates the Loire river and the little town, before reaching the city of Amboise and its royal château. The castle’s chapel shelters Leonardo Da Vinci’s tomb, and a few streets further on, you can see the last residence of this genius : the Clos Lucé Manor house.
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 (approx. 1h30).
Day 4 : Excursion to Chenonceaux | 43 km + option 8 km
Once you have crossed the forest of Amboise, you arrive at the famous Château de Chenonceau, straddling the Cher river, which was the scene of a famous rivalry in French history: that of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici.
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.
Day 5 : Amboise – Tours | 24 km or 32 km
Crossing the vineyards of Montlouis discover the numerous cellars producing the region’s famous sweet white and sparkling wines. Then reach the city of Tours to discover the old neighbourhood with its typical half-timbered houses.
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.
CRT Centre – JF Souchard
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 (approx. 3h).
Day 6 : Excursion to Villandry | 39 km
Still following the ‘Loire à vélo’ cycling paths, reach Villandry and its famous ‘French style’ Renaissance gardens. Enjoy the ‘Ornamental kitchen Garden’, the ‘Garden of Love’, the ‘Water Garden’ and the ‘Sun Garden’. Come back to Tours following the peaceful countryside routes.
Departure at the end of the day.
Possibility to book an extra night in Tours.
chat. Villandry
Visit on your own of the famous « French style » Renaissance gardens and castle. The richness of the gardens at Villandry comes from their diversity, which is unique in Europe: a perfect harmony between the immense, decorative kitchen garden, and an ornamental garden based on the theme of ‘love’, water and music gardens, etc.
The little extra with Biking France:
- Private return transfer from Tours to Blois – optional.
- Our « Visit Package », with entrance fees to
. Domaine de Chambord (chateau & gardens)
. château de Cheverny + “The Secrets of Marlinspike Hall” exhibition
. château de Chenonceaux
. Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire (château + Garden Festival)
. Parc Leonardo Da Vinci in Amboise
. Villandry Gardens (Gardens & Château)
+ a wine tasting in Cheverny
Select your category
- from March 1st to April 8th
from November 1st to 30th - Departure: daily
190 € / pers.*
320 € / pers.*
590 € / pers.*
- from April 9th to June 30th
from September 1st to October 31st - Departure: daily
190 € / pers.*
320 € / pers.*
590 € / pers.*
- from July 1st to August 31st
- Departure: daily
190 € / pers.*
320 € / pers.*
590 € / pers.*
Category's details
• 5 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages
•
Equipped cycle rental for 6 days with helmet
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps, detailed route directions in French or English and tourist brochures
•
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 (5 nights included)
•
Transfer from Tours to Blois and personal bike repatriation
• 5 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages
•
Equipped cycle rental for 6 days with helmet
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps, detailed route directions in French or English and tourist brochures
•
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 (5 nights included)
•
Transfer from Tours to Blois and personal bike repatriation
• 5 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages
•
Equipped cycle rental for 6 days with helmet
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps, detailed route directions in French or English and tourist brochures
•
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 (5 nights included)
•
Transfer from Tours to Blois and personal bike repatriation
from 3 to 11 years old : - 50%
from 12 to 17 years old : - 20%
(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum )
According to the category(price per person)
(including 5 dinners – excluding drinks)
(accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
+ 50 € / pers.
+ 35 € / pers.*
Mid season
+ 50 € / pers.
+ 35 € / pers.*
High season
+ 55 € / pers.
+ 35 € / pers.*
+ 75 € / pers.
+ 50 € / pers.*
+ 85 € / pers.
+ 70 € / pers.*
(accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
+ 60 € / pers.
+ 45 € / pers.*
+ 75 € / pers.
+ 45 € / pers.*
+ 110 € / pers.
+ 105 € / pers.*
from 0 to 2 years old : free / from 3 to 11 years old : - 50% / from 12 to 17 years old : - 20%
(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum )
Extras
If you bring your own bike.
. Domaine de Chambord (chateau & gardens)
. château de Cheverny + “The Secrets of Marlinspike Hall” exhibition
. château de Chenonceaux
. Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire (château + Garden Festival)
. Parc Leonardo Da Vinci in Amboise
. Villandry Gardens (Gardens & Château)
+ a wine tasting in Cheverny
(for children: a discount will be applied according to ages – after booking)
(up to 4 persons)
fromTours to Blois
(booking possible in case of private return transfer)
- from 6 to 11 years old
- from 12 years old
+ 19 € / pers.
+ 29 € / pers.
- Baby seat :
- Trailer :
- Trail-a-bike :
- 'follow-me' tandem :
+ 30 € / pers.
+ 70 € / pers.
+ 70 € / pers.
+ 70 € / pers.
(in the case of a single person per booking)
Your accommodation
Your cycle hire
Man or Lady frame
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 front pannier with a map holder
- 1 repair kit
- 1 pump
- 1 lock
- 1 counter
- 1 high visibility jacket
- 1 bottle cage
- 1 bottle free of charge, 100% recyclable, BPA free, Made in France
- Helmet
Universal frame
- 2 rear panniers
- 1 front pannier with map holder
- 1 repair kit
- 1 pump
- 1 lock
- 1 counter
- 1 high visibility jacket
- 1 bottle cage
- 1 bottle (100% recyclable, BPA free, made in France)
- Helmet
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’’)
- trail-a-bike
(permanent coupling system for children from 5 to 8 years old – from 1,20m to 1,30m / from 4’ to 4’4’’)
- “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 the 1st hotel.
- At the end of the tour, leave the rental bikes at your hotel, 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 75%) and small traffic roads.
GPX files
Besides the maps and detailed itinerary, we also provide the GPX files of your bike stages, as well as a suggestion of free mobile application (if you do not have a bike touring GPS).
How to arrive in Blois
By train:
From Paris : Austerlitz train station to Blois train station (about 1h35).
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 come back to the start point:
- 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 Station >> Blois train Station (by train).
– Tours >> Blois (by taxi).
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 Station >> Paris Austerlitz Station (by train).
– Tours Station >> Paris Montparnasse Station (by TGV train).
– Tours Station >> Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV Station (by TGV train).
Nearby airport:
– Tours airport : www.tours.aeroport.fr/home
Trip overall rating : / 53 testimonials
France
travel date: 22 August 2021.
Aucun accroc sur l’organisation si ce n’est la météo un peu capricieuse mais là je ne suis pas sûre que Rando Vélo puisse y faire grand chose.
France
travel date: 15 August 2021.
Concept de vacances chouette, en famille, avec ou sans batterie au vélo. Beau parcours.
France
travel date: 13 August 2021.
Une équipe professionnelle à l’écoute et disponible. Des parcours et une organisation precise et de qualité.
France
travel date: 09 August 2021.
Très bon accueil dans chaque étape. Très bonne restauration.
USA
travel date: 11 July 2021.
Fabulous, fast and no stress organisation! All was perfectly in order!
Belgique
travel date: 26 June 2021.
Merci : un superbe voyage, très bien organisé. De belle découvertes visuelles, une région magnifique. Des vélos électriques de grande qualité. Un transfert de bagages et un taxi “retour point de départ” avec un prestataire charmant : revoir la vallée en voiture “de l’autre côté” avec ses anecdotes est un “plus”. C’était notre 1ère expérience de vacances en vélo et nous rêvons de recommencer. Nous choisirons “Randovélo” sans hésiter !!
France
travel date: 04 June 2021.
Merci à toute l’équipe de Randovelo pour ce beau voyage dans les châteaux de la Loire. Nous avons apprécié ce séjour en vélo électrique. Nous avons eu un matin un problème avec une batterie d‘un vélo et on était dépanné dans l‘heure. Voyage très agréable et nous pensons retourner avec rando vélo cet été dans une autre région de France.
France
travel date: 19 August 2020.
Rando vélo propose des circuits “clés en main” mais avec souplesse.
France
travel date: 16 August 2020.
Une manière dynamique et sportive de découvrir une région. Merci pour l’organisation impeccable, logistique, étapes, matériel, sans oublier le choix des hébergements et restaus de très bon niveau. De belles vacances en famille!
France
travel date: 13 August 2020.
Nous avons passé un très agréable séjour familial sur les chemins de Loire, organisé par RandoVélo, dont nous saluons la réactivité et disponibilité (un changement de vélo effectué et une extension de séjour organisée très vite)