Cycling in Pays de Loire along the Indre and Cher rivers
Trip Code : Cyclo 42
Trip activity
Self-guided cycling tourLocation
Tours - FranceDuration
7 daysTrip grading 
40 to 60 km per day
Departures
Daily from April to OctoberCapacityMinimum 2 peoplePrice per person
- 7 days - 6 nights : 715 €
Including services
- 6 overnights with breakfast in Hotel 2 & 3* (in double / twin room)
- Route notes & maps, regional inforrmation
- Luggage transfer hotel to hotel
- Emergency phone call support 7/7
Extra charges
- Touring bike : 80 €
- Electric bike : 170 €
- Castles Pack : 65 €
Tour description
Itinerary
Practical details
Information request
Booking request
Cycling in Pays de Loire along the Indre and Cher rivers
Here is an alternative cycle route in the Loire Valley, a loop cycling trip in Pays de Loire from Tours along the Indre and Cher rivers. Come and visit its pretty town center with its half-timbered houses before cycling on a route along the Loire river (naturally !!) but also along two of its many sisters, the Indre and the Cher rivers, two charming rivers that will have you in store many surprises.
On the program, exceptional heritage sites, picturesque villages and bucolic landscapes! A cycling route between essentials castles such as Azay-le-Rideaux or Chenonceau, and small nuggets off the beaten track such as the little-known medieval towns of Loches or Montrichard. You will also discover the famous “Jardins à la Française” of Villandry, the village of Montrésor, one of the the most beautiful villages in France or even Chédigny famous for its 800 rose bushes ! You will spend two nights in the magnificent royal city of Loches, the time to stroll through its medieval streets. Finally, you will cross the vineyards of Mont-Louis famous for its white wines.
The recent cycling facilities along these two rivers will make rides easy and pleasant. Discover this part of the Loire Valley by bike in the heart of a amazing richnesse’s concentration and peaceful countryside.. Certainly, a cycling holiday that will delight lovers of nature and heritage.
If you want to know everything about the history of the monuments that make up this route, then choose to book the “Castle Pack”.
Day 1: Arrival in Tours
Take time to enjoy the old and vibrant quarters of Tours city and especially the “Place Plumereau”, a beautiful square with half-timbered houses. Take a look at the splendid gothic cathedral.
Day 2: Tours – Azay le Rideau. 43 km
For your first bike stage, leave Tours town center following the “Loire à Vélo” cycling paths towards the famous French classical gardens of Villandry, then Azay le Rideau with its romantic château, a Renaissance marvel in a water and greenery setting.
Day 3: Azay le Rideau – Loches. 61 km
Day devoted to the very bucolic cycling route « Indre à Vélo »! First follow the mill road with pretty mansions unto the Medieval Fortress of Montbazon sheltering the oldest keep in France still standing. Continue to former Cormeryabbey then the village of Reignac-sur-Indre where you see the 15th century castle. At the end of the route, the superb Royal city of Loches is waiting for you! Discover its medieval streets, its old keep, its Royal Lodge and its splendid romanesque Saint-Ours Collegial Church.
Day 4: Excursion to Montrésor. 53 km
Bike escape into the Indrois Valley, to find other tiny treasures. Ride to Montrésor, classified as one of the « Most Beautiful Villages of France » and dominated by its surprising castle. Make a stop at the La Chartreuse du Liget toadmire its vestiges which still testify to the importance of this 12th century monastery. Do not miss nearby the secret Chapel Saint-Jean-du-Liget, lost in the woods! Bike to Loches following the beautiful cycling routes through the forest.
Day 5: Loches – Chenonceaux. 47 km
Ride to the city-garden of Chédigny, famous for its 800 rose trees of 250 different varieties. After wandering into this charming village, go the château de Montpoupon, overlooking a beautiful green valley. Then cross the Touraine vineyards to reach the Cher Valley and the unmissing château de Chenonceau, straddling elegantly the Cher river, and which was the scene of a famous rivalry in French history: that of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici.
Option : Excursion Montrichard & Vallée du Cher (45 km) & extra night in Chenonceaux
Ride along the nice Cher river banks to Montrichard, an authentic medieval village dominated by its keep. Then, the Cher river guides you from troglodyte houses to former tufa stone quarries, became wine or murshroom cellars. Cross again the Touraine vineyards to the old Aiguevives abbey.
Day 6: Chenonceaux – Tours. 38 km (or 48 km via Amboise)
Keep follow the “Cher à vélo” bike paths, between the river and beautiful mansions, before reaching the beautiful château de la Bourdaisière famous for its vegetable gardens: a tomato conservatory producing more than 650 varieties ... unique in the world! Cross the village of Montlouis-sur-Loire, famous for its great white wines and the Loire river banks. The “Loire à Vélo” cycle paths lead you peacefully to the center of Tours. Possibility to visit the Royal city of Amboise and its château (where lived the greatest Kings of France) and the Clos Lucé Manor House where lived Leonardo da Vinci, at the request of the French King François 1st! Go for a walk in the park landscaped around the artistic and visionary universe of the greatest creative genius.
Day 7: Departure
Departure during the day
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