Cycling the Loire Valley

Highlights: Fit bikes and enjoy a test ride or visit Tours

Arrive today in Saint Pierre des Corps-Tours , located only 1 hour from Paris by train and check in at your hotel, a beautiful manor house just outside Tours. Take time to rest or explore this town on the Loire River and its famous cathedral.

Meet our representative for an orientation talk and bike fitting this evening at the hotel.
Dinner is included tonight.

Accomodation: : Château de Beaulieu Hôtel Restaurant Spa, or similar.

Highlights: Cycling along the Loire, Villandry and Azay-le-Rideu, the castle of Langeais

Pedal along River Cher and Loire today on your way to the famous castle of Villandry, where you will be able to explore its beautifully manicured gardens. You will then continue to the Chateau Azay-le-Rideau where you can spend some time visiting this Renaissance castle and enjoy its magical setting alongside the Indre River.
Dinner is included tonight.

Mileage options: 34 km (21 miles) 
Elevation gain: +233 m ( 764 ft)
Terrain type: rolling hills

Accomodation: : Le Grand Monarque or similar.

Highlights: Easy cycling along the Loire River, castles of Usèe, Roman acqueduct

Today you'll take another wonderful journey through the magical castles of Loire Valley. Your first stop is the castle of Ussè, the inspiration for the famous story, "Sleeping Beauty". Then, you will continue on to Langeais to visit the charming village and its medieval castle.
Complete your ride at Luynes, site of a wonderful castle and Roman aqueduct, across the river from the castle of Villandry.
Dinner is included tonight.

Daily distance: 32 km (20 miles) 
Elevation gain: +102 m ( 335 ft)
Terrain type: rolling hills

Accomodation: : Domaine de Beauvois or similar.

Highlights: Vouvray vineyards, Amboise & Clos-Lucé

A flat ride today brings you to the town of Tours, perfect site for a morning stroll in the pedestrian area of the historical center. Continue your ride through the famous Appellation d'origine controlee vineyards of Vouvray, home to one of the most enjoyed wines of the Anjou-Saumur-Touraine region.
Arrive in Amboise this afternoon to explore its castle, and to the Clos-Lucé, the nearby manor house where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last three years of his life as the guest of Francois I. Leonardo is presumed to have completed his Mona Lisa during this time.
Dinner is included tonight.

Daily distance: 48km (30 miles) 
Elevation gain: +312 m (1024 ft)
Terrain type: mostly flat

Accomodation: : Clos d’Amboise or similar.

Highlights: Castle of Chenonceau, Amboise

A short and moderately flat ride takes you through the forests and valleys of the Amboise countryside to the enchanting castle of Chenonceau. Along the ride you'll pass by the Parc Mini Chateaux, an amusement park great for kids.
Chenonceau sits astride the Cher River, a tributary to the Loire. A flour mill occupied this site in the 15th century; the first castle was built at the beginning of the 16th, and then improved throughout the centuries especially by Catherine de Medici. Chenonceau was a favorite of mistresses and wives of the Kings of France. Of all the Loire chateaux, it is one of the most charming.
Dinner is on your own tonight.

Daily distance: 36km ( 22 miles)
Elevation gain: +258 (846 ft)
Terrain type: mostly flat

Accomodation: : Clos d’Amboise or similar.

Highlights: Chateau of Chaumont, Fougeres and Beauregard

Leave Amboise today for a pleasant ride through many charming tiny villages. Plan to arrive to Chateau of Chaumont for a picnic lunch and a visit of the property. Built at the turn of the 16th century on the site of two earlier castles, Chaumont commands an imposing view north across the Loire.
You can then choose to ride a short option to Blois through quiet country roads or choose the longer ride option through sunflower fields and deep countryside of the area to visit other magnificent castles such as Fougeres and Beauregard on the way. Your route continues on to the historic town of Blois. Plan a visit to its castle, with its famous spiral staircase.
Dinner is on your own tonight.

Please, note that you can add an optional canoe trip to this day.

Daily distance: 43km (27 miles)
Elevation gain: +229m ( 751 ft)
Terrain type: mostly flat

Accomodation: : Hotel Mercure Blois Centre or similar.

Highlights: Chateau de Chambord, Chateaux of Cheverny, Troussay, and Beauregard

Today you have two ride options:
- A short ride takes you to the famous village and Chateau de Chambord, where you can enjoy its magnificent architecture and unique features. We suggest taking your time to visit Chambord, the creation of French king, Francois I, and the largest of all the Loire castles. Enjoy a chocolate tasting in a chocolate factory in a nearby charming village before heading back to Blois with a stop at the Chateau de Villesavin on the way.
- On the longer option, after Chambord you will continue south to the Chateaux of Cheverny, Troussay, and Beauregard.

Dinner is on your own tonight.

Daily distance: 47km ( 29 miles)
Elevation gain: +207m ( 679 ft)
Terrain type: mostly flat

Accomodation: : Hotel Mercure Blois Centre or similar.

After breakfast your cycling experience in the Loire ends. We hope you have enjoyed cycling with us! Blois is conveniently located on the main rail line to Paris

PLEASE NOTE : The final itinerary, including hotels and/or activities described here, are subject to changes according to availability. 

We recommend flying into Paris: Charles de Gaulle AirWe recommend flying into Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) or Paris Orly Airport (ORY).

From CDG to Tours:

• The fastest option is the TGV train from CDG Terminal 2 to St-Pierre-des-Corps (Tours’ main TGV station). The trip takes about 1h40.
• Alternatively, long-distance buses (FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus) connect CDG to Tours in about 3h30 - 4h30.

From ORY to Tours:

• Take the Orlyval train to Antony, then the RER B to Paris Montparnasse, where you can board a TGV to St-Pierre-des-Corps (total time around 2h).
• Buses (FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus) offer an alternative with a journey of 3h30 - 4h.
   

The meeting time for our self-guided tours is typically set between 2pm and 4pm. Please plan accordingly and allow plenty of time to arrive at the designated meeting point. Late arrivals may incur a late fee – please refer to our terms page for details.port (CDG) or Orly Airport (ORY) 

You can fly out from CDG or ORY, which are both accessible from Blois.

From Blois to CDG:

• Take a TER train from Blois-Chambord to St-Pierre-des-Corps, then transfer to a TGV to CDG Terminal 2 (total time around 2h30).
• Buses (FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus) also connect Blois to Paris, followed by the RER B to CDG (total time about 4h).
   

From Blois to ORY:

• Take a TER train from Blois-Chambord to Paris Austerlitz, then transfer via metro to Denfert-Rochereau and take the Orlybus (total time around 2h30).
• Buses from Blois to Paris followed by Orlybus or RER B + Orlyval offer a 3h30 alternative.