Loire à Vélo: cycle tour from Orléans to Tours
5 days / 4 days riding / ref. L14 / Difficulty Easy / Linear tripper person
Your cycling tour in the Loire Valley from Orléans to Tours:
Discover the northern part of the royal valley by riding along the majestic river from Orléans to Tours where thousand treasures are waiting for you :historical heritage with numerous chateaux, wonderful landscapes of different natural areas, regional gastronomy delights.
Tour highlights
- Cycling itineraries on the « Loire à Vélo »
- Magic arrival facing the Château of Chambord
- A route on François 1st and Leonard Da Vinci’s traces
Day 1Arrival in Orléans
Discover Orléans, the nice city settled on the Loire river banks with its imposing cathedral dominating the town.
Day 2Orléans – Beaugency | 26 km
Ride along the « Loire à Vélo » cycling tracks and follow the wild river banks up to the nice chateau de Meung-sur-Loire. Continue to the flower-filled city of Beaugency overlooked by its 11th century dungeon.
P-Forget CRT Centre-Val de Loire
Free visit of this chateau which has two faces: a mediaeval facade and a classic style facade. It is one of the oldest chateaus in the French department of the Loiret and hosted many famous names in French history, like François 1st or Louis XI. It also served as a prison… so don’t miss the dungeons and the torture chamber!
Day 3Beaugency – Blois | 46 km
Leave Beaugency by the river banks passing via the prestigious château of Chambord: the widest Château of the Loire Valley masterpiece of the Renaissance period. Then, follow the direction of Blois which presents a rich historical heritage with the château offering a brilliant illustration of the evolution of French architecture from the middle Ages to the 17th century.
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.
Extra night in Blois + bike excursion to Cheverny (49 km)
Possibility to plan an extra bike excursion to the Château de Cheverny, remarkable for its sumptuously furnished and decorated apartments.
Day 4Blois – Amboise | 42 km
Follow the ‘pays des châteaux’ 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.
Day 5Amboise – Tours (via Chenonceaux) | 52 km (or 26 km)
Leave Amboise following the beautiful bike path through the forest of Amboise to join the famous Château de Chenonceau, straddling the Cher river, and which was the scene of a famous rivalry in French history: that of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. Then cycle the brand new bike paths of the Cher à Vélo! Ride along the river, lined with private castles and pretty typical Touraine houses to Montlouis-sur-Loire and the chateau of Bourdaisière. Now reach the city of Tours to discover the old neighbourhood with its typical half-timbered houses.
Possibility to shorten the stage following the « Loire à Vélo » cycling paths through Montlouis vineyards and allowing to discover the numerous cellars producing the region’s famous sweet white and sparkling wines.
Departure at the end of the stage.
Possibility to book an extra night in Tours.
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.
Extra night in Tours + bike excursion to Villandry (40 km)
Possibility to plan an extra bike excursion to Villandry and its famous ‘French style’ Renaissance gardens.
The little extra with Biking France (optional):
- Private return transfer from Tours to Orléans – (on request).
- Our « Visit Package » – with entrance fees to
. château de Meung-sur-Loire
. Domaine de Chambord (chateau & gardens)
. Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire (château + Garden Festival)
. Clos Lucé – Parc Leonardo Da Vinci in Amboise
Extend your Loire à Vélo adventure!
To Saumur with our trip: 3 days biking on Loire à Vélo trail from Tours to Saumur.
or The hidden treasures of the Loire à Vélo routes, from Tours to Saumur.
Documents
> Download tour programSelect your category
Your accommodation
• 4 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 4 days
•
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 (4 nights included)
•
Transfer from Tours to Orléans and personal bike repatriation
• 4 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 4 days
•
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 (4 nights included)
•
Transfer from Tours to Orléans and personal bike repatriation
• 4 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 4 days
•
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 (4 nights included)
•
Transfer from Tours to Orléans and personal bike repatriation
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:
Exclusively cycling paths or signposted routes for cyclists.
Bike stages trip profiles:
Orléans – Beaugency : 26km / elevation gain : 120m / elevation loss : 134m
Beaugency – Blois : 46km / elevation gain : 166m / elevation loss : 185m
Blois – Amboise : 42km / elevation gain : 200m / elevation loss : 211m
Amboise – Tours (via Loire à Vélo) : 26km / elevation gain : 116m / elevation loss : 115m
Amboise – Tours (via Chenonceaux) : 52km / elevation gain : 281m / elevation loss : 290m
Navigation app:
Besides the maps, we also provide a personalised navigation app showing points of interest along the route.
How to arrive in Orléans
By train:
From Paris Austerlitz train station to Orléans train station (about 1h10 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) >> Orléans train station (by regular train).
– RER B >> Paris centre – stop ‘Chatelet Les Halles >> Metro line 1 + line 10 >> Paris Austerlitz train station >> Orléans 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 >> Orléans train station.
– Bus shuttle (Orly Bus) : from Orly Sud > > Paris centre – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 6 + line 5 >> Austerlitz train station >> Orléans 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 >> Orléans train station.
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlyval.php
- From Beauvais airport:
– Taxi transfer to Paris Austerlitz train station >> Orléans train station
– Bus shuttle >> Paris – stop ‘Porte Maillot’ >> >> Metro line 1 + line 10 >> Paris Austerlitz train station >> Orléans 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 >> Orléans train station.
www.tours.aeroport.fr/gp/Parking-and-Transport/309
- From Nantes airport:
– Taxi transfer or Bus shuttle « TAN » : Nantes train station >> Orléans 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: please contact us!
- 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 >> Orléans train Station (about 1h20 by train).
– Tours >> Orléans (by taxi).
If you have to return to Paris (city centre) / Paris Airports:
- This return can be carry out by RandoVelo/Biking France: please contact us!
- 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 Montparnasse train station (by TGV train).
– Tours train Station >> Paris Austerlitz train station (by train).
– Tours train Station >> Saint Pierre des Corps train Station (by train) >> 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
