The Loire Valley – the quintessence of the romantic France! The rural charm of this region is in no way inferior to the cultural wealth of its cities. But of course, the castles on the river Loire are the reason, above all else, why this region is so famous. Kings, feudal lords and ladies of the court, seduced by the beautiful natural setting of the Loire Valley, had there, in the ‘garden of France’, several hundred castles, manor houses and dreamy residences built. Villandry, Langeais, Ussé, Chinon, Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceaux, Chambord, Blois, just to name the most important ones. Each one of them would be worth a separate holiday, however together they truly display a one-of-a-kind route of dreams as far as architecture and scenery is concerned. First class in every way.
Highlights
You’ll cycle from city to château, exploring charming towns like Tours, Chinon, and Blois along the way. Stops at the castles of Langeais, Ussé, Chambord, and Azay-le-Rideau will take you not only along the scenic Loire but also deep into history. While one resembles a fairy-tale “Sleeping Beauty” castle, others were designed for military defense. In between, enjoy wandering through vibrant French markets and indulging in local specialties—whether it’s a classic tarte tatin or a glass of fruity wine.
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Blois
- Day 2: Blois - Tours | approx. 44 mi (70 km)
- Day 3: Tours – Chinon | approx. 35 mi (56 km)
- Day 4: Excursion to Fontevraud I’Abbaye | approx. 37 mi (58 km)
- Day 5: Chinon – Azay-le-Rideau | approx. 25 mi (40 km)
- Day 6: Azay-le-Rideau - Chenonceaux | approx. 38 mi (61 km)
- Day 7: Chenonceaux – Blois | approx. 31–51 mi (49–82 km)
- Day 8: Departure or Extension
All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations/detours caused by roadwork. In this case, please follow the directions posted on site.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Blois
Discover the historic old town and the impressive castle—this place has long held a magical appeal, captivating even the kings of France.
Typical for this region are the cliff dwellings carved directly into the soft limestone. You’ll cycle close to the river and briefly cross the Loire to visit the most regal of all Loire castles: Château d’Amboise. Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years here, and his residence remains open to visitors today. From there, you’ll continue along the Loire cycle path to Tours—or you may choose to take the train from Amboise (independently).
Day 3: From Tours to Chinon | approx. 35 mi (56 km) | easy
The Cher River guides you straight to Château de Villandry, famed for its stunning gardens. Just before reaching Château de Langeais, you’ll switch from cycling along the Cher to the banks of the Loire. A view from the castle’s keep—built solely for military purposes—reveals the spectacular surrounding landscape. At the edge of the Chinon forest stands Château d’Ussé, known as the Sleeping Beauty castle. Through quaint villages and side roads, you’ll make your way to today’s destination, Chinon.
Day 4: Excursion to Fontevraud I’Abbaye | approx. 37 mi (58 km) | easy
The Vienne River gently guides you to the picturesque village of Candes-Saint-Martin. At Montsoreau, the Vienne merges with the mighty Loire—an awe-inspiring natural spectacle. You’ll pedal through meticulously tended vineyards en route to Fontevraud l’Abbaye, one of the world’s most remarkably preserved medieval abbeys. The journey then takes a “literary return” back to Chinon, where you’ll pass the birthplace of the celebrated writer François Rabelais.
Day 5: From Chinon to Azay-le-Rideau | approx. 25 mi (40 km) | very easy
You leave Chinon with its medieval streets behind and head north. Your route takes you through historic vineyards and tranquil villages to Crissay, one of France’s most beautiful villages. Today, you’ll also have the chance to admire another castle: Azay-le-Rideau, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. You’ll stay overnight right in the village, giving you the perfect opportunity to experience the castle’s magic up close.
Day 6: From Azay-le-Rideau to Chenonceaux | approx. 38 mi (61 km) | moderate
Tracing the romantic river landscape along the Indre, you’ll arrive in the charming town of Montbazon. After a brief climb, you’ll descend into the Cher River valley. From there, gentle meadow paths guide you to Bléré and onward to your historic overnight stay in Chenonceaux, home to its magnificent château. A splendid two-story
gallery bridge spans the river, while the exquisite castle gardens in front promise to enchant—immerse yourself and discover their magic firsthand.
Day 7: From Chenonceaux to Blois | approx. 31–51 mi (49–82 km) | easy to moderate
Today you have a choice: The shorter route leads you through the gentle landscapes of Touraine to Château de Chaumont, then along romantic paths by the Loire to Blois, where you’ll have the rest of the day free to explore at your leisure. Alternatively, you can cycle via Montrichard, Cheverny, and Villesavin to Château de Chambord. From afar, the walls of this largest and most magnificent Loire residence shimmer through the trees – an enduring legacy of a faithless king.
Day 8: Departure or Extension
Total Distance: 208–229 mi (334–367 km)
- Daily Distance: 25–51 mi (40–82 km)
- Route information: In the Loire Valley, you’ll cycle through stunning natural landscapes—mostly on flat bike paths and quiet side roads. The routes are very well signposted, and you’ll receive detailed travel documents and route information from us. In the vineyards, the terrain becomes a bit hillier, with a few short climbs to tackle.
- This tour is available between 27.03. – 10.10.2027
- Arrival daily
