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 $ 1836 £ 957 $ 1,635 € 1093 kr 167339 ₪ 4508 ¥ 185223 Mex$ 20381 NZ$ 2010 NOK 13114 zł 4834 S$ 1624 kr 12985 $ 1,193 $ 2205 £ 1150 $ 1,964 € 1313 kr 201021 ₪ 5415 ¥ 222505 Mex$ 24483 NZ$ 2414 NOK 15753 zł 5807 S$ 1951 kr 15599 $ 1,433 $ 2726 £ 1422 $ 2,427 € 1623 kr 248483 ₪ 6693 ¥ 275039 Mex$ 30264 NZ$ 2984 NOK 19473 zł 7177 S$ 2412 kr 19282 $ 1,771 Single supplement $ 647 £ 337 $ 576 € 385 kr 58944 ₪ 1588 ¥ 65243 Mex$ 7179 NZ$ 708 NOK 4619 zł 1703 S$ 572 kr 4574 $ 420 $ 794 £ 414 $ 707 € 473 kr 72417 ₪ 1951 ¥ 80156 Mex$ 8820 NZ$ 870 NOK 5675 zł 2092 S$ 703 kr 5619 $ 516 $ 1310 £ 683 $ 1,167 € 780 kr 119419 ₪ 3217 ¥ 132181 Mex$ 14544 NZ$ 1434 NOK 9358 zł 3449 S$ 1159 kr 9267 $ 851 7 dinners, excl. drinks $ 477 £ 249 $ 425 € 284 kr 43481 ₪ 1171 ¥ 48128 Mex$ 5296 NZ$ 522 NOK 3407 zł 1256 S$ 422 kr 3374 $ 310 $ 583 £ 304 $ 519 € 347 kr 53126 ₪ 1431 ¥ 58804 Mex$ 6470 NZ$ 638 NOK 4163 zł 1535 S$ 516 kr 4123 $ 379 $ 635 £ 331 $ 565 € 378 kr 57872 ₪ 1559 ¥ 64057 Mex$ 7048 NZ$ 695 NOK 4535 zł 1672 S$ 562 kr 4491 $ 413 6 Day Tour
Standard Superior Deluxe Twin/double $ 1431 £ 746 $ 1,274 € 852 kr 130442 ₪ 3514 ¥ 144383 Mex$ 15887 NZ$ 1566 NOK 10222 zł 3768 S$ 1266 kr 10122 $ 930 $ 1666 £ 869 $ 1,484 € 992 kr 151876 ₪ 4091 ¥ 168107 Mex$ 18498 NZ$ 1824 NOK 11902 zł 4387 S$ 1474 kr 11785 $ 1,083 $ 1985 £ 1035 $ 1,768 € 1182 kr 180965 ₪ 4875 ¥ 200305 Mex$ 22040 NZ$ 2173 NOK 14181 zł 5227 S$ 1756 kr 14043 $ 1,290 Single supplement $ 517 £ 270 $ 461 € 308 kr 47155 ₪ 1270 ¥ 52195 Mex$ 5743 NZ$ 566 NOK 3695 zł 1362 S$ 458 kr 3659 $ 336 $ 620 £ 323 $ 552 € 369 kr 56494 ₪ 1522 ¥ 62532 Mex$ 6881 NZ$ 678 NOK 4427 zł 1632 S$ 548 kr 4384 $ 403 $ 924 £ 482 $ 823 € 550 kr 84205 ₪ 2268 ¥ 93205 Mex$ 10256 NZ$ 1011 NOK 6599 zł 2432 S$ 817 kr 6534 $ 600 5 dinners, excl. drinks $ 344 £ 180 $ 307 € 205 kr 31386 ₪ 845 ¥ 34740 Mex$ 3823 NZ$ 377 NOK 2460 zł 907 S$ 305 kr 2435 $ 224 $ 388 £ 202 $ 346 € 231 kr 35366 ₪ 953 ¥ 39146 Mex$ 4307 NZ$ 425 NOK 2772 zł 1022 S$ 343 kr 2744 $ 252 $ 469 £ 244 $ 417 € 279 kr 42715 ₪ 1151 ¥ 47280 Mex$ 5202 NZ$ 513 NOK 3347 zł 1234 S$ 415 kr 3315 $ 304 Extra Options
Bike rental options
Electric bike rental (8 day) $ 133 £ 69 $ 118 € 79 kr 12095 ₪ 326 ¥ 13388 Mex$ 1473 NZ$ 145 NOK 948 zł 349 S$ 117 kr 939 $ 86 Electric bike rental (6 day) $ 89 £ 46 $ 79 € 53 kr 8114 ₪ 219 ¥ 8982 Mex$ 988 NZ$ 97 NOK 636 zł 234 S$ 79 kr 630 $ 58 Extra day electric bike rental $ 54 £ 28 $ 48 € 32 kr 4899 ₪ 132 ¥ 5423 Mex$ 597 NZ$ 59 NOK 384 zł 142 S$ 48 kr 380 $ 35 Extra day standard bike rental $ 27 £ 14 $ 24 € 16 kr 2450 ₪ 66 ¥ 2711 Mex$ 298 NZ$ 29 NOK 192 zł 71 S$ 24 kr 190 $ 17 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 $ 195 £ 102 $ 173 € 116 kr 17760 ₪ 478 ¥ 19658 Mex$ 2163 NZ$ 213 NOK 1392 zł 513 S$ 172 kr 1378 $ 127 Canoe trip on Cher River $ 32 £ 17 $ 28 € 19 kr 2909 ₪ 78 ¥ 3220 Mex$ 354 NZ$ 35 NOK 228 zł 84 S$ 28 kr 226 $ 21 Canoe trip on the Loire $ 55 £ 29 $ 49 € 33 kr 5052 ₪ 136 ¥ 5592 Mex$ 615 NZ$ 61 NOK 396 zł 146 S$ 49 kr 392 $ 36 6 day tour Chateaux package $ 141 £ 74 $ 126 € 84 kr 12860 ₪ 346 ¥ 14235 Mex$ 1566 NZ$ 154 NOK 1008 zł 371 S$ 125 kr 998 $ 92 Canoe trip on Cher River $ 32 £ 17 $ 28 € 19 kr 2909 ₪ 78 ¥ 3220 Mex$ 354 NZ$ 35 NOK 228 zł 84 S$ 28 kr 226 $ 21 Canoe trip on the Loire River $ 55 £ 29 $ 49 € 33 kr 5052 ₪ 136 ¥ 5592 Mex$ 615 NZ$ 61 NOK 396 zł 146 S$ 49 kr 392 $ 36 Extra nights in Blois
Standard Superior Deluxe July/Aug Other months Twin/double $ 119 £ 62 $ 106 € 71 kr 10870 ₪ 293 ¥ 12032 Mex$ 1324 NZ$ 131 NOK 852 zł 314 S$ 106 kr 844 $ 77 $ 106 £ 55 $ 94 € 63 kr 9645 ₪ 260 ¥ 10676 Mex$ 1175 NZ$ 116 NOK 756 zł 279 S$ 94 kr 748 $ 69 $ 141 £ 74 $ 126 € 84 kr 12860 ₪ 346 ¥ 14235 Mex$ 1566 NZ$ 154 NOK 1008 zł 371 S$ 125 kr 998 $ 92 $ 160 £ 83 $ 142 € 95 kr 14545 ₪ 392 ¥ 16099 Mex$ 1771 NZ$ 175 NOK 1140 zł 420 S$ 141 kr 1129 $ 104 Single $ 101 £ 53 $ 90 € 60 kr 9186 ₪ 247 ¥ 10168 Mex$ 1119 NZ$ 110 NOK 720 zł 265 S$ 89 kr 713 $ 65 $ 89 £ 46 $ 79 € 53 kr 8114 ₪ 219 ¥ 8982 Mex$ 988 NZ$ 97 NOK 636 zł 234 S$ 79 kr 630 $ 58 $ 106 £ 55 $ 94 € 63 kr 9645 ₪ 260 ¥ 10676 Mex$ 1175 NZ$ 116 NOK 756 zł 279 S$ 94 kr 748 $ 69 $ 124 £ 65 $ 111 € 74 kr 11329 ₪ 305 ¥ 12540 Mex$ 1380 NZ$ 136 NOK 888 zł 327 S$ 110 kr 879 $ 81 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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