The 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
/ 36 testimonials
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
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.
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.
Possibility to plan an extra bike excursion to Vouvray vineyards, surrounded by troglodyte houses, and famous for its fine and elegant white wines!
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.
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 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.
Day 5 : Chitenay 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
Select your category
- from March 1st to April 7th
from November 1st to 30th - Departure: daily
180 € / pers.*
240 € / pers.*
460 € / pers.*
- from April 8th to May 5th
from May 30th to June 30th
from September 1st to October 31st - Departure: daily
180 € / pers.*
240 € / pers.*
460 € / pers.*
- from May 6th to 29th
from July 1st to August 31st - Departure: daily
180 € / pers.*
240 € / pers.*
460 € / 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
•
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)
• 4 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages
•
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)
• 4 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages
•
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)
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 4 dinners – excluding drinks)
(accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
+ 60 € / pers.
+ 50 € / pers.*
Mid season
+ 60 € / pers.
+ 50 € / pers.*
High season
+ 65 € / pers.
+ 50 € / pers.*
+ 75 € / pers.
+ 55 € / pers.*
Mid season
+ 75 € / pers.
+ 55 € / pers.*
High season
+ 80 € / pers.
+ 55 € / pers.*
+ 90 € / pers.
+ 70 € / pers.*
(including : 1 extra night's accommodation in a two-person bedroom / 1 breakfast / map and itinerary / 1 day cycle rental - VTC hybrid bike)
+ 70 € / pers.
+ 35 € / pers.*
+ 80 € / pers.
+ 60 € / pers.*
+ 160 € / 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
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)
+ a local wine tasting
(for children: a discount will be applied according to ages – after booking)
- from 6 to 11 years old
- from 12 years old
+ 20 € / pers.
+ 30 € / pers.
- Baby seat :
- Trailer :
- 'follow-me' tandem :
+ 20 € / pers.
+ 50 € / pers.
+ 50 € / pers.
(in the case of a single person per booking)
Your accommodation
Your cycle hire
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.
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)
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)
• Bikes will be delivered in our Randovélo/Biking France office.
• 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
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
Trip overall rating : / 36 testimonials
USA
travel date: 15 September 2022.
We really enjoyed our trip. As seniors, this trip was absolutely perfect… the route is, for the most part, flat so we never felt tired or uncomfortable. So happy we did this trip!!!! The person who initially was corresponding with me, was very professional, patient, answered all my questions, clarified everything and greeted us upon arrival. He took time to explain everything with us. When I needed support, the office responded immediately ( when my smart phone ran out of power) so I was able to know what hotel to go to.
USA
travel date: 14 September 2022.
A beautiful area of the country and bike was the perfect way to see it. Randovelo handled everything seamlessly and answered questions quickly. We really enjoyed being able to do the tour at our own pace knowing everything behind the scenes was taken care of.
Angleterre
travel date: 05 September 2022.
We had a fantastic adventure, would definitely recommend this as a way to see more of France. I was nervous about cycling in a foreign country but I found the cycle routes to be great, the roads safe, and the directions very clear. This has easily been a highlight of my time spent in Europe.
Italie
travel date: 18 August 2022.
We had a wonderful trip: well organised, clearly sign-posted, good accommodation and the distances were what we expected and just right. I thoroughly recommend Randovelo and will definitely do another cycling holiday in the future.
France
travel date: 10 August 2022.
La randonnée en vélo, c’était une toute première fois pour moi, et j’ai adoré. C’était absolument nécessaire pour moi d’avoir un vélo électrique (santé) et ça m’a permis de tenir le coup pour les 4 jours ! Des journées chargées, avec à peu près autant de vélo que de visites, mais ça permet de déconnecter complètement et de se concentrer pleinement sur cette experience riche ! Les routes de Loire sont presque toutes superbes, et l’équipe de RandoVélo nous concocte une experience très agréable avec beaucoup de sympathie. Merci aussi à tous leurs partenaires hébergements/restaurations qui nous ont chouchouté.
France
travel date: 20 July 2022.
Très beau parcours avec de belles visites et de baeux paysages. Nous avons beaucoup apprécié cette première expérience et nous reviendrons certainement.
France
travel date: 13 June 2022.
Très belle initiation à la rando Vélo (parcours superbe), organisation des bagages au top !
Canada
travel date: 30 May 2022.
This bike trip was a highlight of my France vacation. The serenity of riding and seeing the French countryside on a bike is an outstanding way to travel. I would definitely recommend the e-bike option and adding the wine tour through Vouvray, I met some fabulous local wine producers and tastes some delicious wine!
France
travel date: 08 May 2022.
Accueil et préparation du voyage d’excellente qualité. Bonne prise en compte de nos besoins. A l’écoute. Excellent choix d’hotels. Nous repartirons avec Rando Vélo
France
travel date: 04 September 2021.
Les vacances à vélo, c’est la liberté ! Bravo à l’équipe de Rando Vélo pour le choix du circuit (pistes cyclables ou routes très peu fréquentées) qui nous permet de découvrir des paysages que l’on n’aurait pas l’occasion de voir en voiture. Les hôtels qui sont choisis avec soin également : situation idéale dans la ville pour pouvoir tout faire à pied une fois sur place, espace pour les vélos sécurisé, petits déjeuners de compétition… Le mix activité sportive et visites culturelles est génial. Et les enfants ont adoré ! J’ai passé de superbes vacances, inoubliables, je recommande à 100% et j’ai hâte de renouveler l’expérience.