Castles of the Loire
France Bike Tours
A stunning Loire Valley Bike tour
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length6–8 days
- Prices from€852 Rates
Overview
Biking in the Loire Valley region has proven to be a haven for cyclists time and again, and it is rightly referred to as Royal Châteaux Country.
The fertile landscape is generously peppered with grandiose châteaux (more than 300!) amid lush vineyards and rolling green hills.
Along the “Loire à Vélo” or the “Pays des Châteaux” cycle paths, this itinerary allows you to reach the most prestigious châteaux of the Loire Valley!
Highlights
- French villages
- Vineyards and wine
- Chaumont-sur-Loire
- Amboise and its 15th century white stone houses
- Chenonceau
- Cher Valley
- Medieval town of Montrichard
- Cheverny
- Chambord
For a list of all of our bike tours in France follow the link or do the same for all of our cycling tours in the Loire Valley.
Itinerary
You have two different options in regards to the length of tour! Please specify your preference at time of booking.
All distances are approximate. In the event of unforeseen circumstances such as weather, natural disasters, road maintenance, itinerary changes may be necessary.
Day 1: Arrival in Blois
Day 2: Blois - Amboise, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 3: Excursion to Vouvray, 30 mi. (48 km)
Day 4: Amboise and excursion to Chenonceaux (via Montlouis), 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 5: Chenonceaux - Cheverny (or Chitenay), 25 or 34 mi. (40 or 55 km)
Day 6: Excursion to Beauregard and Sologne area, 29 mi. (47 km)
Day 7: Cheverny (or Chitenay) - Blois, 25 or 31 mi. (40 or 50 km)
Day 8: DepartureDay 1: Arrival in Blois
Upon arrival in the old village of Blois, you will be enchanted with its typical paved streets punctuated with staircases. And of course the charming chateau, a perfect illustration of how French architecture evolved between the Middle Ages and the 17th century. After settling into your hotel, you'll go pick up bikes and accessories at the bike shop.Day 2: Blois - Amboise, 25 mi. (40 km)
Today's path guides you through the forest and vineyards of Mesland appellation until you reach the Chateau of Chaumont sur Loire, that proudly overlooks the Loire River. You cycle on to the beautiful town of Amboise. Here you can see the town's royal chateau where the greatest kings of France and Leonardo Da Vinci once lived.Day 3: Excursion to Vouvray, 30 mi. (48 km)
Leave the Loire banks for a while to reach the picturesque Vouvray vineyards, surrounded by troglodyte houses, and famous for its fine and elegant white wines! On the way you will admire superb Renaissance private châteaux such as château de Valmer (remarkable for its Italian and vegetable gardens), and the beautiful château de Jallanges as well. And don't hesitate to stop for a visit at a local wine producer to sample a glass of Vouvray wine!Day 4: Amboise and excursion to Chenonceaux (via Montlouis), 26 mi. (42 km)
After crossing through the Amboise forest, you will reach the famous chateau of Chenonceaux. Straddling the Cher River, this royal residence is an exceptional site not only because of the incredible architecture, but the richness of its art collection, the furniture and its decorations, and the incredible history it has. Chenonceau Castle has an exceptional museum collection of the Old Masters’ paintings: Murillo, Le Tintoret, Nicolas Poussin, Le Corrège, Rubens, Le Primatice, Van Loo, as well as an extremely rare selection of Flanders Tapestries from the 16th century.Optional: Canoe trip on the Cher River offering an extraordinary view of the Château of Chenonceau
Day 5: Chenonceaux - Cheverny (or Chitenay), 25 or 34 mi. (40 or 55 km)
You will ride along the peaceful Cher river banks to the medieval town of Montrichard, after which you enter the vineyards of Touraine via the Château de Fougères-sur-Bièvre, a small fortified castle which perfectly illustrates the local building arts of the 15th century. Your cycling day ends in Chitenay (in a charming rural inn) or in Cheverny, just around the famous château.Day 6: Excursion to Beauregard and Sologne area, 29 mi. (47 km)
An excursion offering the possibility to visit the Château of Beauregard famous for its Portrait Gallery. Then continue your excursion to the rich and mysterious ‘Sologne’ with magnificent landscapes: beautiful forests sheltering game, ponds at every crossroads and small private châteaux hidden behind their vineyards or groves.Day 7: Cheverny (or Chitenay) - Blois, 25 or 31 mi. (40 or 50 km)
During this last stage you will discover the famous sumptuously furnished Château of Cheverny before reaching the prestigious Château of Chambord, a real masterpiece of French Renaissance period with its 440 rooms, built during the reign of Francis the 1st.Day 8: Departure
Chateaux package can be booked, see pricing:
- Domaine de Chambord (château and gardens)
- Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire (château and Garden festival)
- Château de Cheverny and "The Secrets of Marlinspike Hall" exhibition
- Park Leonardo de Vinci in Amboise
- Château de Chenonceaux
- Château de Valmer (including one wine tasting)
- Wine tasting of Cheverny AOC wines in Cheverny
View all our featured bike trips, specials, and news along with 100s of other bike tours in Europe.
Day 1: Arrival in Blois
Day 2: Blois - Amboise, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 3: Amboise and Excursion to Chenonceaux, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 4: Chenonceaux - Cheverny (or Chitenay), 25 or 31 mi. (40 or 50 km)
Day 5: Cheverny (or Chitenay) - Blois, 25 or 31 mi. (40 or 50 km)
Day 6: Departure from BloisDay 1: Arrival in Blois
Upon arrival in the old village of Blois, you will be enchanted with its typical paved streets punctuated with staircases. And of course the charming chateau, a perfect illustration of how French architecture evolved between the Middle Ages and the 17th century. After settling into your hotel, you'll go pick up bikes and accessories at the bike shop.Day 2: Blois - Amboise, 25 mi. (40 km)
Today's path guides you through the forest and vineyards of Mesland appellation until you reach the Chateau of Chaumont sur Loire, which proudly overlooks the Loire River. You cycle on to the beautiful town of Amboise. Here you can see the town's royal chateau where the greatest kings of France and Leonardo Da Vinci once lived.Day 3: Amboise - Chenonceaux (via Montlouis), 26 mi. (42 km)
This stage through the vineyards of Montlouis-sur-Loire will take you to the Cher valley and the famous chateau of Chenonceau straddling the Cher River. This was the scene of a famous rivalry in French history, that of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. Enjoy a walk in the heart of the Diane de Poitiers‘s garden followed by the Catherine de Medici garden. Relax under the shadow of one of the huge park trees as the rhythm of the river reveals the story about these rival women.Day 4: Chenonceaux - Cheverny (or Chitenay), 25 or 34 mi. (40 or 55 km)
You will ride along the peaceful Cher river banks to the medieval town of Montrichard, after which you enter the vineyards of Touraine via the Château de Fougères-sur-Bièvre, a small fortified castle which perfectly illustrates the local building arts of the 15th century. Your cycling day ends in Chitenay (in a charming rural inn) or in Cheverny, just around the famous château.Day 5: Cheverny (or Chitenay) - Blois, 25 or 31 mi. (40 or 50 km)
During this last stage, you will discover the famous sumptuously furnished Château of Cheverny before reaching the prestigious Château of Chambord, a real masterpiece of French Renaissance period with its 440 rooms, built during the reign of Francis the 1st.Day 6: Departure
Departure from Blois following breakfast.Chateaux package can be booked, see pricing.
- Château de Chambord (château and gardens)
- Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire (château and Garden Festival)
- Château de Cheverny and "The Secrets of Marlinspike Hall" exhibition
- Château de Chenonceaux
- Wine tasting of Cheverny AOC wines in Cheverny
View all our featured bike trips, specials, and news along with 100s of other bike tours in Europe.
Map
Hotels & Bikes
Accommodations
Choose one of the following categories:
Standard category: 2 and 3 star
Superior category: 3 star
Deluxe category: 4 starBicycles
Accessories
Included accessories
- Counter (one per booking)
- One bottle (100% recyclable)
- Repair kit and life/visibility jacket
- Pump
- Lock
- Front pannier with map holder
- Rear rack and pannier (2 panniers on e-bike)
Supplemental accessories
- Child trailer (up to 5 years old)
- Maximum weight: 37kg
- Steel structure
- 2 seats with a security system
- Wheels: 20" quick release
- Waterproof polyester hood
- Anti-insect net
- Storage at the back
- Repair kit
- 'Follow-me' tandem (5 to 8 years old)
- Lock and life jacket
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 5 or 7 nights
- Breakfasts
- 27-speed standard touring bicycle (Scott Sub Sport 20) available in men’s and women’s frames. Please specify.
- Included accessories: One rear pannier, handlebar bag, lock, map holder, odometer, repair kit, and pump
- Luggage transfer (Allowance is one piece per guest weighing no more than 20 kg. Additional pieces will require a surcharge of €20/piece)
- Route information and maps (one set per room)
- Personalized navigation app
- 7-day hotline
What’s Not Included
- Individual arrival to Blois
- Lunches & dinners
- Drinks
- Entrance fees
- Helmets (free of charge, must be reserved in advance)
- Bike Protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Daily arrivals possible from March 1 through October 31, 2024
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2024
8 Day Tour
Standard Superior Deluxe Twin/double $ 1809 £ 954 $ 1,650 € 1093 kr 167565 ₪ 4492 ¥ 188810 Mex$ 20123 NZ$ 1976 NOK 12935 zł 4750 S$ 1630 kr 12973 $ 1,212 $ 2173 £ 1146 $ 1,982 € 1313 kr 201293 ₪ 5396 ¥ 226814 Mex$ 24173 NZ$ 2373 NOK 15538 zł 5706 S$ 1958 kr 15585 $ 1,456 $ 2687 £ 1417 $ 2,449 € 1623 kr 248818 ₪ 6670 ¥ 280365 Mex$ 29880 NZ$ 2934 NOK 19207 zł 7054 S$ 2421 kr 19264 $ 1,800 Single supplement $ 637 £ 336 $ 581 € 385 kr 59023 ₪ 1582 ¥ 66507 Mex$ 7088 NZ$ 696 NOK 4556 zł 1673 S$ 574 kr 4570 $ 427 $ 783 £ 413 $ 714 € 473 kr 72514 ₪ 1944 ¥ 81708 Mex$ 8708 NZ$ 855 NOK 5598 zł 2056 S$ 705 kr 5614 $ 525 $ 1291 £ 681 $ 1,177 € 780 kr 119580 ₪ 3206 ¥ 134741 Mex$ 14360 NZ$ 1410 NOK 9231 zł 3390 S$ 1163 kr 9258 $ 865 7 dinners, excl. drinks $ 470 £ 248 $ 429 € 284 kr 43539 ₪ 1167 ¥ 49060 Mex$ 5229 NZ$ 513 NOK 3361 zł 1234 S$ 424 kr 3371 $ 315 $ 574 £ 303 $ 524 € 347 kr 53198 ₪ 1426 ¥ 59942 Mex$ 6388 NZ$ 627 NOK 4106 zł 1508 S$ 518 kr 4119 $ 385 $ 626 £ 330 $ 570 € 378 kr 57950 ₪ 1554 ¥ 65298 Mex$ 6959 NZ$ 683 NOK 4473 zł 1643 S$ 564 kr 4487 $ 419 6 Day Tour
Standard Superior Deluxe Twin/double $ 1410 £ 744 $ 1,286 € 852 kr 130618 ₪ 3502 ¥ 147179 Mex$ 15686 NZ$ 1540 NOK 10083 zł 3703 S$ 1271 kr 10113 $ 945 $ 1642 £ 866 $ 1,497 € 992 kr 152081 ₪ 4077 ¥ 171363 Mex$ 18263 NZ$ 1793 NOK 11740 zł 4311 S$ 1480 kr 11774 $ 1,100 $ 1957 £ 1032 $ 1,784 € 1182 kr 181210 ₪ 4858 ¥ 204185 Mex$ 21761 NZ$ 2137 NOK 13988 zł 5137 S$ 1763 kr 14030 $ 1,311 Single supplement $ 510 £ 269 $ 465 € 308 kr 47219 ₪ 1266 ¥ 53205 Mex$ 5670 NZ$ 557 NOK 3645 zł 1339 S$ 459 kr 3656 $ 342 $ 611 £ 322 $ 557 € 369 kr 56570 ₪ 1517 ¥ 63743 Mex$ 6793 NZ$ 667 NOK 4367 zł 1604 S$ 550 kr 4380 $ 409 $ 910 £ 480 $ 830 € 550 kr 84319 ₪ 2260 ¥ 95010 Mex$ 10126 NZ$ 994 NOK 6509 zł 2390 S$ 820 kr 6528 $ 610 5 dinners, excl. drinks $ 339 £ 179 $ 309 € 205 kr 31428 ₪ 843 ¥ 35413 Mex$ 3774 NZ$ 371 NOK 2426 zł 891 S$ 306 kr 2433 $ 227 $ 382 £ 202 $ 349 € 231 kr 35414 ₪ 949 ¥ 39904 Mex$ 4253 NZ$ 418 NOK 2734 zł 1004 S$ 345 kr 2742 $ 256 $ 462 £ 244 $ 421 € 279 kr 42773 ₪ 1147 ¥ 48196 Mex$ 5137 NZ$ 504 NOK 3302 zł 1213 S$ 416 kr 3312 $ 309 Extra Options
Bike rental options
Electric bike rental (8 day) $ 131 £ 69 $ 119 € 79 kr 12111 ₪ 325 ¥ 13647 Mex$ 1454 NZ$ 143 NOK 935 zł 343 S$ 118 kr 938 $ 88 Electric bike rental (6 day) $ 88 £ 46 $ 80 € 53 kr 8125 ₪ 218 ¥ 9155 Mex$ 976 NZ$ 96 NOK 627 zł 230 S$ 79 kr 629 $ 59 Extra day electric bike rental $ 53 £ 28 $ 48 € 32 kr 4906 ₪ 132 ¥ 5528 Mex$ 589 NZ$ 58 NOK 379 zł 139 S$ 48 kr 380 $ 35 Extra day standard bike rental $ 26 £ 14 $ 24 € 16 kr 2453 ₪ 66 ¥ 2764 Mex$ 295 NZ$ 29 NOK 189 zł 70 S$ 24 kr 190 $ 18 Trailer, tag-along, and baby seats are available. Just ask.
Transfer
From Paris CDG to Blois (1 to 4 people) On request Excursions
8 day tour Chateaux package $ 192 £ 101 $ 175 € 116 kr 17784 ₪ 477 ¥ 20038 Mex$ 2136 NZ$ 210 NOK 1373 zł 504 S$ 173 kr 1377 $ 129 Canoe trip on Cher River $ 31 £ 17 $ 29 € 19 kr 2913 ₪ 78 ¥ 3282 Mex$ 350 NZ$ 34 NOK 225 zł 83 S$ 28 kr 226 $ 21 Canoe trip on the Loire $ 55 £ 29 $ 50 € 33 kr 5059 ₪ 136 ¥ 5701 Mex$ 608 NZ$ 60 NOK 391 zł 143 S$ 49 kr 392 $ 37 6 day tour Chateaux package $ 139 £ 73 $ 127 € 84 kr 12878 ₪ 345 ¥ 14511 Mex$ 1546 NZ$ 152 NOK 994 zł 365 S$ 125 kr 997 $ 93 Canoe trip on Cher River $ 31 £ 17 $ 29 € 19 kr 2913 ₪ 78 ¥ 3282 Mex$ 350 NZ$ 34 NOK 225 zł 83 S$ 28 kr 226 $ 21 Canoe trip on the Loire River $ 55 £ 29 $ 50 € 33 kr 5059 ₪ 136 ¥ 5701 Mex$ 608 NZ$ 60 NOK 391 zł 143 S$ 49 kr 392 $ 37 Extra nights in Blois
Standard Superior Deluxe July/Aug Other months Twin/double $ 118 £ 62 $ 107 € 71 kr 10885 ₪ 292 ¥ 12265 Mex$ 1307 NZ$ 128 NOK 840 zł 309 S$ 106 kr 843 $ 79 $ 104 £ 55 $ 95 € 63 kr 9658 ₪ 259 ¥ 10883 Mex$ 1160 NZ$ 114 NOK 746 zł 274 S$ 94 kr 748 $ 70 $ 139 £ 73 $ 127 € 84 kr 12878 ₪ 345 ¥ 14511 Mex$ 1546 NZ$ 152 NOK 994 zł 365 S$ 125 kr 997 $ 93 $ 157 £ 83 $ 143 € 95 kr 14564 ₪ 390 ¥ 16411 Mex$ 1749 NZ$ 172 NOK 1124 zł 413 S$ 142 kr 1128 $ 105 Single $ 99 £ 52 $ 91 € 60 kr 9198 ₪ 247 ¥ 10365 Mex$ 1105 NZ$ 108 NOK 710 zł 261 S$ 89 kr 712 $ 67 $ 88 £ 46 $ 80 € 53 kr 8125 ₪ 218 ¥ 9155 Mex$ 976 NZ$ 96 NOK 627 zł 230 S$ 79 kr 629 $ 59 $ 104 £ 55 $ 95 € 63 kr 9658 ₪ 259 ¥ 10883 Mex$ 1160 NZ$ 114 NOK 746 zł 274 S$ 94 kr 748 $ 70 $ 122 £ 65 $ 112 € 74 kr 11345 ₪ 304 ¥ 12783 Mex$ 1362 NZ$ 134 NOK 876 zł 322 S$ 110 kr 878 $ 82 Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
This is an easy to moderate self-guided hotel tour that is predominantly flat but with some hilly terrain and average daily distances of about 28 miles a day. Some days can be shortened. Electric bicycles available upon request.
Airport Info
Closest international airport to your tour start is Paris Charles De Gaulle International Airport (CDG).
Local Travel
From the CDG airport:
From the TGV station, you can access train to St Pierre des Corps where you will transfer to an intercity train to Blois.
Train travel from/to Blois from the airport is approximately 2½ to 3½ hours depending on connections.
If you are arriving at another airport, please let us know and we can send you arrival information from Orly Airport, Beauvais Airport, or Tours airport.
From Paris Center:
From Paris Austerlitz station, you can take a train to Blois.
From Blois station by taxi to mooring location, cost is approximately €10.
Please note that TGV travel requires advance reservation. You can visit the SNCF website for more information and to book.Climate
Please check local conditions before arrival. Once Spring arrives in the Loire Valley, the days begin to get longer and the temperatures rise steadily to up around 68°F/20°C. You can have misty starts to the morning clearing away quickly to give very pleasant days and nights. There will be occasional days of rain but rarely for long periods. This is also a good time to visit as there are fewer tourists around! Late spring and into summer brings dependable weather with long dry spells with average daily temperatures around 75°/24°C. July temperatures peak as high as 82°/28°C dropping to 72°/22°C as September approaches. On average, there are 11 days of rainfall during this period. Perhaps not as warm as those in the far south of France, but a far more comfortable heat.
Recommended
Book the Chateaux Package which includes entrance fees to the mentioned sites. See day to day itinerary and pricing.
Remarks
Electric bicycles are available upon request. Tandem bicycles may also be available for this tour on request, based on availability.
Important to know
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
It is each traveler's responsibility to research travel requirements and to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, blank visa pages required for your destination (s), and any other requirement.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU citizens: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and the destination country.
EU-citizens: (without special situations like dual citizenship, main residence abroad or a limited-validity passport) are required to have a valid passport or ID-card, not expiring within six (6) months from the end of your tour.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.
Extra Stay
Extra night in Blois possible on request.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Loire Valley Travel.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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