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The Loire Valley by bike from Blois to Tours. Relaxing cycling vacations

Price per person

From 625€

Type of stay

Voyage à vélo

Location

Blois, Tours - France

Duration

6 or 7 days

Difficulty

Departures

Daily from April to October

Capacity

2 people minimum

Reference

Cyclo 41

Your stay

The Loire Valley by bike from Blois to Tours. Relaxing cycling vacations

We propose a “relaxed” itinerary between Blois and Tours, two emblematic cities along the Loire Valley by bike. On the program: two peaceful days of cycling along the gentle banks of the river from Blois to Amboise and Tours, on pleasant greenways and cycle paths. But also day trips and “à la carte” tours to prestigious Loire Valley castles such as Chambord, Chenonceau or Villandry. It’s up to you to decide whether you want to cycle every day, or take advantage of some of the more leisurely stages to discover the town centers, their stores and their historical treasures.

This itinerary in the Loire Valley will take you on a journey of discovery along a wild river to the famous Loire châteaux scattered all around. You’ll also discover the vineyards of the Loire Valley, such as Montlouis. You’ll have the chance to enjoy a day’s cycling between exceptional historical heritage, winegrowing heritage and enchanting natural landscapes. It’s not for nothing that the Loire Valley was given the appellation of “Garden of France” in the 15th century, justified at the time by the art and gentle way of life that reigned in this region, and which was then, for a long time to come, conducive to the development of the art of gardens, omnipresent in the parks of sumptuous châteaux. Cycling vacations on the central section of the famous “Loire à vélo”, France’s oldest cycle route, 800 km long.

The stages are not too long. So take the time to visit a few castles, not forgetting the parks and gardens. Our optional “Pack Châteaux” will open the doors to these cultural treasures along the way.

You'll enjoy :

Visits to the main châteaux of the Loire Valley: Chambord, Cheverny, Chenonceau, Amboise
2 nights in each stage to take the time to relax between two visits
The “Loire à vélo” cycle paths

Back to travel

Daily program

Day 1 - Arrival in Blois

This tour begins in Blois, a charming town that you can explore by strolling its cobbled streets criss-crossed by staircases. Take time to visit its château, a perfect illustration of the evolution of French architecture from the Middle Ages to the 17th century.

Day 2 - Excursion to Chambord or Excursion to Cheverny

Chambord: For your first excursion, cycle along the banks of the Loire before continuing through the rich forest of the Domaine de Chambord. Here, it’s imperative to make a stop to visit the most famous and majestic of the Loire castles. A Renaissance splendor, the Château de Chambord boasts no fewer than 440 rooms.

You can also take advantage of its 5433-hectare park before cycling back to Blois along the country lanes.

Cheverny: An itinerary through fields and vineyards, passing through numerous villages, allowing you to visit Château de Troussay, a charming Renaissance manor house, as well as Château de Cheverny, remarkable for its sumptuously furnished and decorated apartments, which inspired Hergé to draw Moulinsart in the adventures of Tintin! Along the way, you can stop off in the vineyards of the Cheverny Appellation. So don’t hesitate to visit one of these cellars and enjoy a glass of ‘Cheverny blanc’.

Day 3 - Blois - Amboise

You’ll pedal along the cycle paths of the Loire Valley. They will take you through pretty little villages. A stop at the Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire is a must, before getting back on your two-wheeler to

to Amboise. This town is famous for its royal château, built in the 15th and 16th centuries. It houses a superb collection of furniture, admirably preserved. The château’s chapel contains the tomb of

Leonardo da Vinci, and a few streets further on, the last home of this creative genius: the Manoir du Clos Lucé.

Day 4 - Excursion to Chenonceau

On this fourth day, we’ll take you on a cycling tour through the Forêt Domaniale d’Amboise. You’ll then reach the Château de Chenonceau, one of the most beautiful châteaux on the Loire. Admire how it elegantly spans the Cher River. It was in this historic residence that the rivalry between Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis came to a head.

Day 5 - Amboise - Tours

This stage will have a wine-making flavour. You’ll cross the vineyards of Montlouis to discover the many cellars that house this famous sweet or sparkling white wine. Tastings are available, in moderation! Then it’s on to Tours, with its typical half-timbered houses and old quarters.

Day 6 - Excursion to Villandry. 39 km (Optional)

On this sixth day, we head for Villandry, again along the Loire à Vélo cycle route. The château is renowned for its famous French-style terraced gardens. You’ll marvel at the “decorative vegetable garden”, the “garden of love”, the “water garden” and the “sun garden”. Then return to Tours along the narrow country roads.

Day 7 - Daytime departure

End of stay after breakfast.

rates

Price per person

	Comfort (2 and/or 3*)	Superior (3 and/or 4*)	Luxury (4*)
6 days – 5 nights 7 days – 6 nights Half-board (5 / 6 dinners)	625 € 690 € +245 € / +285 €	780 € 860 € +250 € / +295 €	1045 € 1160 € +255 € / +305 €

Price includes

5 or 6 nights in a hotel with breakfast (in a double/twin room)
Route book (map and directions)
Luggage transfer at each stage
24/7 technical assistance

Supplement

VTC bike rental (helmet not included): €100
Electric bike rental (helmet not included): €190
Pack Châteaux: €100

Further information

We take care of transporting your luggage every time you change accommodation, so you can travel light and enjoy your day’s hiking.

Leave your luggage at the reception desk of your accommodation before departure.

At the end of the afternoon, you’ll meet them at the reception desk of your new accommodation or directly in your room.

Luggage accepted per person: 1 suitcase or travel bag (20 kg maximum).

Your travel file corresponds to the documents or files you receive prior to your trip (generally one month before) and/or on arrival at your first accommodation.

It includes :

A welcome letter with key practical information:

Baggage transport times
Details of delivery and collection of rental bikes if required
Your local contact and emergency telephone number(s)
Any additional information

Travel logbook including map with route (at the appropriate scale) and directional, tourist and practical information

Any necessary vouchers to be given to the service provider(s)

On request and depending on the tour:

Download the “Evazio” application onto your smartphone for GPS navigation with visual (reading the route on your smartphone screen) and/or spoken guidance. The application also contains practical and tourist information. Once the trip has been downloaded, no Internet connection is required.
Loan of a GPS device with pre-recorded tracks
Send GPX tracks of each stage for use with your own navigation device

On this tour, we can provide you with a choice of the following, upon reservation:

A VTC bike suited to the tour and the route (UNISEX model)

velo vallee loire gitane

An electric bike adapted to the course (UNISEX)

velo vallee loire scott e sub

With equipment :

Bag 1

Handlebar bag

Repair kit

Anti-theft device

1 rear bag
1 handlebar bag
1 repair kit
1 anti-theft device
1 charger (for electric bike)

For younger children, depending on age and size, we can offer

Children's bikes

Bicycle follower

Follow Me Tandem Loire Valley

Second trailer

A child’s bike
A baby seat
A trailer
A follower bike
A Follow-Me Tandem

The bike is adjusted to your size and delivered to the first accommodation.

At the end of the tour, the bike must be left at the last accommodation with its equipment. We’ll take care of collecting them.

This tour is available in “comfort”, “superior” or “luxury” categories.

Hotel categories :

Comfort: The tour features mainly 2 and 3-star hotels (or equivalent comfort level) and bed & breakfasts.
Superior: The tour features mainly 3- and 4-star hotels (or equivalent level of comfort) and charming bed & breakfasts.
Luxury: The tour features mainly 4- and 5-star hotels (or equivalent level of comfort).

For the duration of your stay, our telephone assistance service is available: