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 $ 1810 £ 955 $ 1,652 € 1093 kr 167735 ₪ 4493 ¥ 188786 Mex$ 20145 NZ$ 1978 NOK 13028 zł 4755 S$ 1632 kr 12999 $ 1,213 $ 2174 £ 1147 $ 1,984 € 1313 kr 201497 ₪ 5398 ¥ 226785 Mex$ 24200 NZ$ 2376 NOK 15650 zł 5712 S$ 1961 kr 15615 $ 1,457 $ 2687 £ 1418 $ 2,453 € 1623 kr 249071 ₪ 6672 ¥ 280329 Mex$ 29913 NZ$ 2936 NOK 19345 zł 7061 S$ 2424 kr 19302 $ 1,801 Single supplement $ 637 £ 336 $ 582 € 385 kr 59083 ₪ 1583 ¥ 66498 Mex$ 7096 NZ$ 697 NOK 4589 zł 1675 S$ 575 kr 4579 $ 427 $ 783 £ 413 $ 715 € 473 kr 72588 ₪ 1945 ¥ 81698 Mex$ 8718 NZ$ 856 NOK 5638 zł 2058 S$ 706 kr 5625 $ 525 $ 1292 £ 681 $ 1,179 € 780 kr 119701 ₪ 3207 ¥ 134724 Mex$ 14376 NZ$ 1411 NOK 9297 zł 3394 S$ 1165 kr 9276 $ 866 7 dinners, excl. drinks $ 470 £ 248 $ 429 € 284 kr 43584 ₪ 1168 ¥ 49053 Mex$ 5234 NZ$ 514 NOK 3385 zł 1236 S$ 424 kr 3378 $ 315 $ 575 £ 303 $ 524 € 347 kr 53252 ₪ 1427 ¥ 59935 Mex$ 6396 NZ$ 628 NOK 4136 zł 1510 S$ 518 kr 4127 $ 385 $ 626 £ 330 $ 571 € 378 kr 58009 ₪ 1554 ¥ 65289 Mex$ 6967 NZ$ 684 NOK 4505 zł 1645 S$ 565 kr 4496 $ 419 6 Day Tour
Standard Superior Deluxe Twin/double $ 1411 £ 744 $ 1,288 € 852 kr 130751 ₪ 3503 ¥ 147160 Mex$ 15703 NZ$ 1542 NOK 10155 zł 3707 S$ 1273 kr 10133 $ 945 $ 1643 £ 866 $ 1,499 € 992 kr 152236 ₪ 4078 ¥ 171341 Mex$ 18283 NZ$ 1795 NOK 11824 zł 4316 S$ 1482 kr 11798 $ 1,101 $ 1957 £ 1032 $ 1,786 € 1182 kr 181394 ₪ 4859 ¥ 204158 Mex$ 21785 NZ$ 2139 NOK 14088 zł 5143 S$ 1765 kr 14057 $ 1,312 Single supplement $ 510 £ 269 $ 465 € 308 kr 47267 ₪ 1266 ¥ 53199 Mex$ 5677 NZ$ 557 NOK 3671 zł 1340 S$ 460 kr 3663 $ 342 $ 611 £ 322 $ 558 € 369 kr 56628 ₪ 1517 ¥ 63735 Mex$ 6801 NZ$ 668 NOK 4398 zł 1605 S$ 551 kr 4388 $ 409 $ 911 £ 480 $ 831 € 550 kr 84405 ₪ 2261 ¥ 94997 Mex$ 10137 NZ$ 995 NOK 6556 zł 2393 S$ 821 kr 6541 $ 610 5 dinners, excl. drinks $ 339 £ 179 $ 310 € 205 kr 31460 ₪ 843 ¥ 35408 Mex$ 3778 NZ$ 371 NOK 2443 zł 892 S$ 306 kr 2438 $ 227 $ 382 £ 202 $ 349 € 231 kr 35450 ₪ 950 ¥ 39899 Mex$ 4258 NZ$ 418 NOK 2753 zł 1005 S$ 345 kr 2747 $ 256 $ 462 £ 244 $ 422 € 279 kr 42816 ₪ 1147 ¥ 48190 Mex$ 5142 NZ$ 505 NOK 3325 zł 1214 S$ 417 kr 3318 $ 310 Extra Options
Bike rental options
Electric bike rental (8 day) $ 131 £ 69 $ 119 € 79 kr 12124 ₪ 325 ¥ 13645 Mex$ 1456 NZ$ 143 NOK 942 zł 344 S$ 118 kr 940 $ 88 Electric bike rental (6 day) $ 88 £ 46 $ 80 € 53 kr 8134 ₪ 218 ¥ 9154 Mex$ 977 NZ$ 96 NOK 632 zł 231 S$ 79 kr 630 $ 59 Extra day electric bike rental $ 53 £ 28 $ 48 € 32 kr 4911 ₪ 132 ¥ 5527 Mex$ 590 NZ$ 58 NOK 381 zł 139 S$ 48 kr 381 $ 36 Extra day standard bike rental $ 26 £ 14 $ 24 € 16 kr 2455 ₪ 66 ¥ 2764 Mex$ 295 NZ$ 29 NOK 191 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 17802 ₪ 477 ¥ 20036 Mex$ 2138 NZ$ 210 NOK 1383 zł 505 S$ 173 kr 1380 $ 129 Canoe trip on Cher River $ 31 £ 17 $ 29 € 19 kr 2916 ₪ 78 ¥ 3282 Mex$ 350 NZ$ 34 NOK 226 zł 83 S$ 28 kr 226 $ 21 Canoe trip on the Loire $ 55 £ 29 $ 50 € 33 kr 5064 ₪ 136 ¥ 5700 Mex$ 608 NZ$ 60 NOK 393 zł 144 S$ 49 kr 392 $ 37 6 day tour Chateaux package $ 139 £ 73 $ 127 € 84 kr 12891 ₪ 345 ¥ 14509 Mex$ 1548 NZ$ 152 NOK 1001 zł 365 S$ 125 kr 999 $ 93 Canoe trip on Cher River $ 31 £ 17 $ 29 € 19 kr 2916 ₪ 78 ¥ 3282 Mex$ 350 NZ$ 34 NOK 226 zł 83 S$ 28 kr 226 $ 21 Canoe trip on the Loire River $ 55 £ 29 $ 50 € 33 kr 5064 ₪ 136 ¥ 5700 Mex$ 608 NZ$ 60 NOK 393 zł 144 S$ 49 kr 392 $ 37 Extra nights in Blois
Standard Superior Deluxe July/Aug Other months Twin/double $ 118 £ 62 $ 107 € 71 kr 10896 ₪ 292 ¥ 12263 Mex$ 1309 NZ$ 128 NOK 846 zł 309 S$ 106 kr 844 $ 79 $ 104 £ 55 $ 95 € 63 kr 9668 ₪ 259 ¥ 10882 Mex$ 1161 NZ$ 114 NOK 751 zł 274 S$ 94 kr 749 $ 70 $ 139 £ 73 $ 127 € 84 kr 12891 ₪ 345 ¥ 14509 Mex$ 1548 NZ$ 152 NOK 1001 zł 365 S$ 125 kr 999 $ 93 $ 157 £ 83 $ 144 € 95 kr 14579 ₪ 391 ¥ 16409 Mex$ 1751 NZ$ 172 NOK 1132 zł 413 S$ 142 kr 1130 $ 105 Single $ 99 £ 52 $ 91 € 60 kr 9208 ₪ 247 ¥ 10363 Mex$ 1106 NZ$ 109 NOK 715 zł 261 S$ 90 kr 714 $ 67 $ 88 £ 46 $ 80 € 53 kr 8134 ₪ 218 ¥ 9154 Mex$ 977 NZ$ 96 NOK 632 zł 231 S$ 79 kr 630 $ 59 $ 104 £ 55 $ 95 € 63 kr 9668 ₪ 259 ¥ 10882 Mex$ 1161 NZ$ 114 NOK 751 zł 274 S$ 94 kr 749 $ 70 $ 123 £ 65 $ 112 € 74 kr 11356 ₪ 304 ¥ 12781 Mex$ 1364 NZ$ 134 NOK 882 zł 322 S$ 111 kr 880 $ 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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