+33(0)2 54 78 62 52The Loire Valley's greatest chateaux by bike
- Discovery of the most prestigious chateaux: Chambord, Chenonceau and Cheverny
- Varied landscapes between the ‘Loire by bike’, forest and vineyards
- The opportunity to stay in manor-houses
Reference : L3
Difficulty : Moderate
Round trip
From March to November
Departure: daily
Some questions about this trip ?
Contact us +33(0)2 54 78 62 52 or by email
> Download tour program
Your cycling tour in the Loire Valley greatest château country:
Set off to discover the treasures of the Loire Valley by bike: châteaux, lakes and forests … and use this royal river as your guide from one prestigious château to the next.
Day 1 : Arrival 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.
Day 2 : Blois – 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.
Day 3 : Amboise – 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.
Day 4 : Chenonceaux – 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.
pixabay
Discover and taste the ‘Cheverny’ appellation wines, in the cellar of a winegrower or at the Cheverny wine house.
Day 5 : Chitenay or Cheverny – Blois | 50 km or40 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:
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 wine tasting in Cheverny
Select your category
- from March 1st to April 10th
from November 1st to 30th - Departure: daily
140 € / pers.*
240 € / pers.*
305 € / pers.*
- from April 11th to June 30th
from September 1st to October 31st - Departure: daily
140 € / pers.*
240 € / pers.*
305 € / pers.*
- from July 1st to August 31st
- Departure: daily
140 € / pers.*
240 € / pers.*
305 € / pers.*
Category's details
• 4 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages
•
Equipped cycle rental for 4 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 (4 nights included)
• 4 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages
•
Equipped cycle rental for 4 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 (4 nights included)
• 4 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages
•
Equipped cycle rental for 4 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 (4 nights included)
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 )
'Bike extra' & various
If you bring your own bike.
- Baby seat :
- Trailer :
- Trail-a-bike :
+ 20 € / pers.
+ 50 € / pers.
+ 50 € / pers.
(in the case of a single person per booking)
According to the category(price per person)
(including 4 dinners – excluding drinks)
(accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
+ 50 € / pers.
+ 30 € / pers.*
+ 65 € / pers.
+ 40 € / pers.*
+ 85 € / pers.
+ 70 € / 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
. 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 wine tasting in Cheverny
(for children: a discount will be applied according to ages – after booking)
Your accommodation
Your cycle hire
VTC GITANE bike - 21 speed gears
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
VTC SCOTT bike
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
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’’)
- 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)
Practical details
• 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 (60%) and small traffic roads.
Bike stages trip profiles:
(click below to see the trip profile of each stage)
- stage Blois – Amboise
- stage Amboise – Chenonceaux
- stage Chenonceaux – Chitenay
- stage Chenonceaux – Cheverny
- stage Cheverny – Blois
- stage Chitenay – Blois
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 >> 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
Trip overall rating : / 17 testimonials
USA
travel date: 29 September 2019.
This was a wonderful vacation and we would recommend Rando Vélo to everybody we know. The routes were interesting and easy to navigate, the hotels were charming, and the bikes were comfortable and equipped with everything we needed. Organization and support from Rando Vélo (communication, bike drop-offs, luggage transfers, route-finding support) was superb – everything was so easy and smooth. I couldn’t believe what good value it was. The Loire Valley is a terrific place to bike tour – separated cycle paths everywhere, great food (including lots of places to stop for patisseries and coffee), chateaus filled with history and beautiful gardens, and beautiful towns like Amboise and Blois. Don’t hesitate to go!
France
travel date: 22 August 2019.
Organisation parfaite, ça fait plaisir de passer des vacances sans se soucier de l’organisation! Velo de qualité et hébergement aussi! Bref c’était parfait! Merci!
France
travel date: 16 August 2019.
SUPERBES vacances, tout est organisé, prévu, clair , facile, il n’y a plus qu à profiter. Nous étions 4 avec 2 ados. C est notre première expérience et pas notre type de vacances habituelles, mais quel plaisir, quelle joie partagée. De belles visites, un enrichissement historique extraordinaire, des moments de causeries partagées en roulant, une zenitude certaine. Vous qui lisez ceci, n’hésitez pas, ces vacances furent une réussite totale. Merci à rando vélo
Australia
travel date: 07 August 2019.
Very well organised tour and would definitely recommend to others.
USA
travel date: 25 April 2019.
Respect des engagements et une très bonne organisation.un carnet de route facile à lire. Belles étapes. Des vélos confortables. Je recommanderai Rando vélo
Russia
travel date: 29 September 2018.
Professional and very well organized biking tours.
Italia
travel date: 07 August 2018.
Great experience with high level service wonderful trails, magnificent views on Castels and warm welcome in every hotel.
France
travel date: 22 May 2018.
Voyage très bien organisé: Les vélos et leurs équipement sont au top. Le choix des hôtels est bon. Le carnet de route est bien fait et les circuits vélo sont très très bien balisés ! Les parcours sont un peu long pour bien visiter les châteaux. Deux châteaux (~2h par château) et 40 km de vélo a été le maximum que nous avons réussi à faire. Nous avons raccourci le trajet Amboise-Chenonceaux pour pouvoir visiter le Clos Lucé.
France
travel date: 07 May 2018.
Tout a été en notre faveur. Beau temps, bel accueil, tout très bien organisé… Merci à vous.
Spain
travel date: 22 August 2017.
We had a very good experience with the Whole family. Good organization, efficient luggage transfer. Paths without big ramps and very easy.
Some questions about this trip ?
Contact us +33(0)2 54 78 62 52 or by email
