The Chateaux de la Loire by bike from Blois to Saumur
Trip Code : Cyclo 40
Trip activity
Self-guided cycling tourLocation
Blois - Tours - Saumur - FranceDuration
8 daysTrip grading 
35 to 50 km per day
Departures
Daily from April to OctoberCapacityMinimum 2 peoplePrice per person
- 8 days - 7 nights : 825 €
Including services
- 7 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 : 110 €
- Electric bike : 230 €
- Castles Pack : 95 €
Tour description
Itinerary
Practical details
Information request
Booking request
The Chateaux de la Loire by bike from Blois to Saumur. The best of Loire Valley cycling holiday from Blois to Saumur
This very nice bike road along the Loire, the last wild river in Europe, will take you to meet the most famous “chateaux de la Loire” by bike: Castles of Chambord, Chenonceau, Blois or even Amboise, Cheverny or Azay-le-Rideau. During this bike tour, you will also discover the most famous vineyards of the Loire Valley, such as Chinon, Montlouis and naturally Saumur. Gentle daily bike rides between exceptional historical heritage, wine heritage and enchanting natural landscapes. The Loire Valley also received the designation of “Garden of France” in the 15th century, justified at the time by the art and the sweetness of life of this region and which will promote then for a long time, the development of the art of gardens omnipresent in the parks of the sumptuous castles.
Cycling holidays on the central section of the famous “Loire à Velo”, the oldest cycling route in France, 800 km long. We invite you to discover it from Blois, capital of Loir et Cher, via Tours in Indre et Loire, to Saumur in Maine et Loire. You will travel through these 3 essential regions on cycle paths and greenways. Mainly along the Loire river, this cycle trip nevertheless presents some essential detours along three other rivers, the Cher river spanned by the castle of Chenonceau, the Indre river whose waters surround the castle of Azay-le-Rideau and finally the Vienne river, dominated by the royal fortress of Chinon on its rocky outcrop.
As an option in our offer, we advise you to book the “Châteaux Pack” which opens the doors to the Parks, Gardens and Châteaux all along the route.
Day 1: Arrival in Blois
Discover the charming town of Blois, as you stroll along its paved streets punctuated with staircases, and the château.
Day 2: Blois – Cheverny (or Chitenay). 42 km (or 55 km)
Leave the charming town of Blois following the Loire river and its cycling paths to Dyé sur Loire before proceeding through the beautiful forest of Domain de Chambord where is settled the château. A true masterpiece of French Renaissance style boasting no less than 440 rooms and built during the reign of François I. Continue to the Château de Cheverny, remarkable for its sumptuously furnished apartments, which gave Hergé the inspiration for Captain Haddock’s Marlinspike.
Day 3: Cheverny (or Chitenay) – Amboise. 58 km (or 50 km)
Cross the vineyards of Cheverny to reach the Château de Fougères-sur-Bièvre, a small fortified castle which perfectly illustrates the local building arts of the 15th century. Then cycle towards the Loire river banks in Chaumont-sur-Loire, whose 15th-century château proudly dominates the town and the river. Don’t miss the extraordinary “Festival des Jardins” garden festival between late May and mid-October! Continue on the ‘Loire à Vélo’ cycling tracks before arriving at the charming town of Amboise with its royal château, where the greatest kings of France lived.
Day 4: Amboise – Tours (via Chenonceaux). 51 km
Ride to the famous Château de Chenonceau, straddling the Cher river, and which was the scene of a famous rivalry in French history: that of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. Then cross the vineyards of Montlouis following the “Loire à Vélo” cycling tracks and discover the numerous cellars producing the region’s famous sweet white and sparkling wines. You reach the city of Tours to discover the old neighbourhood with its typical half-timbered houses.
Day 5: Tours – Azay-le-Rideau. 41 km
Reach Villandry with its famous "French style" Gardens, designed in terraces, then the château of Saché, house of the famous novelist Honoré de Balzac. Finally you arrive in Azay le Rideau where you can admire its Renaissance chateau.
Day 6: Azay-le-Rideau – Chinon. 35 km
Departure towards Langeais and its 15th century château built as a fortress. Then ride towards the chateau of Ussé, whose many turrets, pinnacles and dormer windows inspired Perrault to write his famous fairytale 'Sleeping Beauty'. Stay in the beautiful medieval city of Chinon, settled on the Vienne river and famous for its red wine.
Day 7: Chinon – Saumur. 36 km + option 12 km
Before leaving Chinon, visit on of the numerous cellars where this famous red wine is matured. Then, continue towards the abbey of Fontevraud, one of Europe’s largest remaining monastic complexes where the tombs of the Plantagenet kings can be found, and finally reach the lovely town of Saumur.
Day 8: Departure
Departure during the day
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