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Castles of the Loire

France Bike Tours

A stunning Loire Valley Bike tour

Biking in the Loire Valley region has proven a haven for cyclists time and again, and is rightly referred to as Royal Châteaux Country. (See also our Châteaux Country Tour.) Its fertile landscape is generously peppered with grandiose châteaux (more than 300!) amid lush vineyards and rolling green hills.
Highlights:
- French villages
- Vineyards and wine
- Chaumont-sur-Loire
- Amboise ad 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.

8 Day Tour

	Standard	Superior	Deluxe
Tour Package	£ 700 $ 1,244 € 861 NOK 8395 kr 7749 $ 1,007	£ 862 $ 1,533 € 1061 NOK 10345 kr 9549 $ 1,241	£ 1110 $ 1,973 € 1366 NOK 13319 kr 12294 $ 1,598
Single supplement	£ 171 $ 303 € 210 NOK 2048 kr 1890 $ 246	£ 313 $ 556 € 385 NOK 3754 kr 3465 $ 450	£ 475 $ 845 € 585 NOK 5704 kr 5265 $ 684
Dinners included	£ 142 $ 253 € 175 NOK 1706 kr 1575 $ 205	£ 158 $ 282 € 195 NOK 1901 kr 1755 $ 228	£ 207 $ 368 € 255 NOK 2486 kr 2295 $ 298

Supplement for single traveler: £ 61 $ 108 € 75 NOK 731 kr 675 $ 88

6 Day Tour:

	Standard	Superior	Deluxe
Tour Package	£ 556 $ 988 € 684 NOK 6669 kr 6156 $ 800	£ 682 $ 1,212 € 839 NOK 8180 kr 7551 $ 982	£ 824 $ 1,465 € 1014 NOK 9887 kr 9126 $ 1,186
Single supplement	£ 118 $ 209 € 145 NOK 1414 kr 1305 $ 170	£ 211 $ 376 € 260 NOK 2535 kr 2340 $ 304	£ 325 $ 578 € 400 NOK 3900 kr 3600 $ 468
Dinners included	£ 98 $ 173 € 120 NOK 1170 kr 1080 $ 140	£ 110 $ 195 € 135 NOK 1316 kr 1215 $ 158	£ 130 $ 231 € 160 NOK 1560 kr 1440 $ 187

Supplement for single traveler: £ 61 $ 108 € 75 NOK 731 kr 675 $ 88

extra options

2018:

Extra day bike rental Scott Sportster: £ 12 $ 22 € 15 NOK 146 kr 135 $ 18 Electric bike supplement - 8 day tour: £ 37 $ 65 € 45 NOK 439 kr 405 $ 53 Electric bike supplement - 6 day tour: £ 20 $ 36 € 25 NOK 244 kr 225 $ 29 Extra day electric bike rental: £ 20 $ 36 € 25 NOK 244 kr 225 $ 29 Trailer/child bike and child seat are available.
Extra nights, Blois
Standard: £ 45 $ 79 € 55 NOK 536 kr 495 $ 64 Single supplement: £ 24 $ 43 € 30 NOK 293 kr 270 $ 35 Superior: £ 59 $ 104 € 72 NOK 702 kr 648 $ 84 Single supplement: £ 33 $ 58 € 40 NOK 390 kr 360 $ 47 Deluxe: £ 80 $ 143 € 99 NOK 965 kr 891 $ 116 Single supplement: £ 53 $ 94 € 65 NOK 634 kr 585 $ 76 Chateax package, 8 day tour: £ 73 $ 130 € 90 NOK 878 kr 810 $ 105 Chateax package, 6 day tour: £ 57 $ 101 € 70 NOK 683 kr 630 $ 82 Transfer, 1 - 4 people, one way, from Paris CDG to Blois: £ 268 $ 477 € 330 NOK 3218 kr 2970 $ 386 From 5 people: on request

please note

Rates are per person based on double occupancy.

Information to read before you book.

We recommend purchasing bike trip insurance.

Please see our FAQ.

Travel
Fly to Paris.
Local Travel
Train transfer from Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport to Blois via Paris-Austerlitz station, 2½ - 3 hr. (or 1½-2 hr from Paris city center to Blois).
Climate
Average high/low temperature in degrees Fahrenheit for Orleans (near Blois) is: March 54/36, April 60/40, May 66/46, June 72/52, July 76/55, August 75/55, September 70/51, and October 60/44.
Remarks
Electric bicycles available upon request

Where You’ll Stay

Choose between standard (2 to 3 star hotels), superior (3 star hotels), or the deluxe (4 star hotels).

What’s Included

Accommodation for 5 or 7 nights in standard, 2 and 3 hotels, superior, 3 and 4 hotels, or deluxe 4 * chateau hotels
Breakfasts & 1 dinner
21-speed hybrid touring bicycle (Scott Sportster P6) equipped with two saddlebags, lock, map holder, odometer, reflective vest, and repair kit, men's and women's frames available
Bike helmet
Luggage transfer
Route information & maps (one set per room)
GPS tracks (must be requested in advance!)

What’s Not Included

Individual arrival to Blois
Drinks & lunches
Bicycle protection
Trip insurance

Extra Stay

Extra night in Blois possible by request.

Tour	Bike
Type	Self Guided
Skill	Easy–Moderate
Length	6–8 days
From	€684 Rates
	Client Reviews

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Tour Dates

2018:
Arrival possible daily from March 1 through October 31

Skill Level

This is an easy to moderate self-guided hotel tour with predominantly flat but some hilly terrain and average daily distances of about 28 miles a day. Some days can be shortened. Electric bicycles available upon request.

Day-To-Day Itinerary

You have different options in regards to length of tour

8 day tour

Day 1: Arrival in Blois
Day 2: Blois - Amboise
Day 3: Excursion to Vouvray, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 4: Amboise and Excursion to Chenonceaux, 27 mi. (44 km)
Day 5: Chenonceaux - Cheverny (or Chitenay), 25 or 31 mi. (40 or 50 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: Departure

Day 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.

Day 2: Blois - Amboise
Today's path guides you through the forest and vineyards of Mesland appellation until 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, 28 mi. (45 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 to a local wine producer to sample a glass of Vouvray wine!

Day 4: Amboise and Excursion to Chenonceaux, 27 mi. (44 km)
After crossing through the Amboise forest, you will reach the famous chateau of Chenonceau. 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.

Day 5: Chenonceaux - Cheverny (or Chitenay), 25 or 31 mi. (40 or 50 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)
An excursion through the Forest of Russy starts the day, with the possibility of a visit to the Chateau of Beauregard, famous for its Portrait Gallery.  You may extend your excursion to the rich and mysterious 'Sologne' with magnificent landscapes: beautiful forests sheltering the wildlife, ponds at every crossroad, and small, private chateaus hidden behind their vineyards or groves.

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 Malinspike Hall" exhibituion
Park Leonardo de Vinci in Amboise
Château de Chenonceaux
Wine tasting of Cheverny AOC wines in Cheverny
Wine tasting in cellar in Amboise

6 day Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Blois
Day 2: Blois - Amboise, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 3: Amboise and Excursion to Chenonceaux, 27 mi. (44 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 Blois.

*All distances are approximate.

DAY 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.

DAY 2: Blois - Amboise, 26 mi. (42 km)
Today's path guides you through the forest and vineyards of Mesland appellation until 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: Amboise - Chenonceaux, 27 mi. (44 km)
After crossing through the Amboise forest, you will reach the famous chateau of Chenonceau. 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.

DAY 4: Chenonceaux - Cheverny (or Chitenay), 25 or 31 mi. (40 or 50 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)
An excursion through the Forest of Russy starts the day, with the possibility of a visit to the Chateau of Beauregard, famous for its Portrait Gallery.  You may extend your excursion to the rich and mysterious 'Sologne' with magnificent landscapes: beautiful forests sheltering the wildlife, ponds at every crossroad, and small, private chateaus hidden behind their vineyards or groves.

DAY 6: Departure.
Departure from Blois following breakfast.

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 Malinspike Hall" exhibituion
Château de Chenonceaux
Wine tasting of Cheverny AOC wines in Cheverny

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Customer Feedback

Linda H. 2 months ago
Excellent routes, well marked and the Châteaus are breath taking. Make sure you have a rain coat.
Reply
Ann S. 9 months ago
I have enjoyed the Castles of the Loire bike trip in France very much. This was my first organized bike trip. The scenery was beautiful, and the architecture was stunning. The meals were delicious. I have recommended this trip to my friends. I am looking forward to my next bike trip in France.
Reply
Rod C. 2 years ago
The amazing all inclusive 3-4 course dinners at the end of the day were great. The castles were great to see.
Reply
Tim Stoepker 5 years ago
Great trip. We loved the country-side, the villages, the vineyards, small country roads with no cars, easy to read maps, the wonderful restaurants and chateau. We had no problem without having a guide and the people in the towns and staff at the hotels were very friendly and always willing to help. This was our second Trip-Site bike trip and it was great. Thanks.
Reply
Gai Jordan 6 years ago
Did Castle of the Loire 3rd week of sept 2012. The weather was nice though we did get rain on our first afternoon. No complaints at all. We picked the 2 star option and were more than happy. All hotels clean and comfortable and the staff helpful and friendly. Food was fantastic. Bikes were also fabulous and the intinery/directions easy to follow (even when we got ourselves a little lost, easy to get back on track). We are 50 and of average fitness, the bike riding was not too hard. We will definately look at another tour soon. Thanks for the memories!
Reply
Brian Surgenor 7 years ago
Did Castles of the Loire with another couple. No complaints. Bikes were great. Meals were great. Accommodations were great. Weather was great (didn't rain at all !). Only glitch was the lack of an in-house meal on the monday (Oct 17) at Auberge Du Centre in Chitenay.
Reply