The Loire Valley's greatest chateaux by bike
5 days / 4 days riding / ref. L3 / Difficulty Moderate / Round tripper person
Your cycling tour in the Loire Valley greatest château country:
Along the “Loire à Vélo” and “Pays des Châteaux” cycle paths, this tour takes you to some of the Loire’s most prestigious châteaux! Chambord, Chenonceaux, Cheverny, Amboise and Blois will hold no secrets for you.
Thanks to our itinerary, you’ll discover these incomparable historic residences and also cross irresistibly charming landscapes: between the wild Loire river, its surrounding forests, its vineyards and its picturesque little villages… experience a real moment of escape.
Tour highlights
- Discovery of the most prestigious chateaux: Chambord, Chenonceau and Cheverny
- Varied landscapes between the ‘Loire by bike’, forest and vineyards
- Possibility of canoeing on the Loire and Cher rivers
Day 1Arrival in Blois
Possibility to explore the town with its narrow alleys, punctuated with staircases, and the château, a perfect illustration of how French architecture evolved between the Middle Ages and the 17th century.
To discover the town and all its secrets, you can follow our “Blois Discovery Walk”, available via our app.
Day 2Blois – Amboise | 40 km
Follow the ‘Loire à Vélo’ cycling tracks through nice tiny villages to the château of Chaumont-sur-Loire, which proudly dominates the river. Then continue through the ‘Touraine Amboise’ vineyards to the charming town of Amboise with its royal château, where the greatest kings of France lived.
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.
pixabay
Discover and taste the local wines, in the cellar of a winegrower or at the Cheverny wine house.
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.
Extra night in Amboise + bike excursion to Vouvray vineyards (45 km)
Possibility to plan an extra bike excursion to Vouvray vineyards, surrounded by troglodyte houses, and famous for its fine and elegant white wines!
Day 3Amboise – Chenonceaux | 42 km
This stage through the vineyards of Montlouis-sur-Loire takes you to the Cher valley and Chenonceaux, famous for its Renaissance château elegantly straddling the Cher river.
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 4Chenonceaux – Chitenay or Cheverny | 40 km or 54 km
Ride along the peaceful Cher river banks to the medieval town of Montrichard. Then leave the Cher Valley and enter the vineyards of Touraine via the Château du Gué Péan and the Château de Fougères-sur-Bièvre, a small fortified castle which perfectly illustrates the local building arts of the 15th century, before ending the day in the charming village of Chitenay or Cheverny.
Day 5Chitenay or Cheverny – Blois | 50 km or 40 km
A richly coloured route via the Château de Cheverny, remarkable for its sumptuously furnished apartments, leading on to the prestigious Château de Chambord, a true masterpiece of the French Renaissance boasting no less than 440 rooms, built during the reign of François I in the heart of a well-preserved natural site.
Departure at the end of the stage.
Possibility to book an extra night in Blois
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.
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.
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
. château de Chenonceaux
. Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire (château + Garden Festival)
+ a local wine tasting
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 personalized 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)
• 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 personalized 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)
• 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 personalized 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)
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 our shop.
- 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 (60%) and small traffic roads.
Bike stages trip profiles:
(click below to see the trip profile of each stage)
- stage Blois – Amboise: 42 km / elevation gain: 200m / elevation loss: 211m
- stage Amboise – Chenonceaux: 42km / elevation gain : 168m / elevation loss: 154m
- stage Chenonceaux – Chitenay: 40km / elevation gain : 197m / elevation loss: 179m
- stage Chenonceaux – Cheverny: 53km / elevation gain: 236m / elevation loss: 218m
- stage Cheverny – Blois: 39km / elevation gain: 246 / elevation loss: 263m
- stage Chitenay – Blois: 49km / elevation gain: 297m / elevation loss: 313m
Navigation app
Besides the maps, we also provide a personalised navigation app showing points of interest along the route.
How to arrive in Blois
By train
From Paris Austerlitz train station >> 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 train).
– RER B >> Paris centre – stop ‘Chatelet Les Halles >> Metro line 1 + line 10 >> Paris Austerlitz train station >> Blois train station (by train).
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 (by train).
– Bus shuttle (Orly Bus) : from Orly Sud > > Paris centre – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 6 + line 5 >> Austerlitz train station >> Blois train station (by train).
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 (by train).
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlyval.php
- From Beauvais airport:
– Taxi transfer to Paris Austerlitz train station >> Blois train station (by train).
– Bus shuttle >> Paris – stop ‘Porte Maillot’ >> >> Metro line 1 + line 10 >> Paris Austerlitz train station >> Blois train station (by train).
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 (by train).
www.tours.aeroport.fr/gp/Parking-and-Transport/309
- From Nantes airport:
– Taxi transfer or Bus shuttle « TAN » : Nantes train station >> Blois train station (by train).
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 (by train) >> Paris Montparnasse Station (by TGV train)
– Blois Station >> Saint Pierre des Corps Station (by train) >> Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV Station (by TGV train)
Nearby airport:
– Tours Airport : www.tours.aeroport.fr/home
