Nature, Villages & Castles of the Loire River Valley
6 nights from €857
4.17Cycle the Loire à Vélo from Blois to Amboise. Explore iconic châteaux like Chambord & Cheverny, taste local wines, and enjoy 7 days of scenic Sologne routes.
This scenic cycling itinerary charts a captivating journey through the heart of France's Loire Valley, tracing a route from the historic town of Blois to Amboise over the course of seven days. The journey guides riders south into the forested landscapes, tranquil ponds, and vineyards of the Sologne region before looping back north toward the banks of the majestic Loire River. Covering easy-to-moderate terrain with gentle daily elevation gains, the path seamlessly weaves together quiet country backroads, dedicated cycle paths like the popular Loire à Vélo, and the option for a peaceful canoe excursion on Europe's last wild river.
The stages are designed to be shorter in length to give you ample time to explore the route's magnificent highlights which showcase the stunning evolution of French architecture and regional culture. Cyclists will marvel at legendary Renaissance masterpieces, including the massive 440-room Château de Chambord and the sumptuously furnished Château de Cheverny—the real-world inspiration for Captain Haddock's Marlinspike Hall in the Tintin comics. Beyond these grand estates, the itinerary uncovers delightful hidden gems: the 16th-century covered market of Bracieux, the intimate Château de Troussay manor, organic open-air swimming, local wine tastings of crisp Cour-Cheverny Blanc, and the spectacular International Garden Festival at the riverside Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire. The adventure culminates beautifully in Amboise at the Château du Clos Lucé, the final home of Leonardo da Vinci, where his legendary engineering models remain on brilliant display.
Daily Program
Day 1: Arrival in Blois
Discover the charming town of Blois, as you stroll along its paved streets punctuated with staircases, and the château, a perfect illustration of how French architecture evolved between the Middle Ages and the 17th century.
Overnight in Blois.
Day 2: Blois – Bracieux
19 miles/30 km | elev: +135m
This route leads you to the prestigious Chambord estate and château, a true masterpiece of French Renaissance style, boasting no less than 440 rooms and built during the reign of Francis I. Then stop in Bracieux, a pretty little Sologne village which has preserved its magnificent 16th-century covered market.
Overnight in Bracieux or Tour in Sologne.
Day 3: Excursion to "Baignade Naturelle du Grand Chambord" et Cheverny
18 miles/29 km | elev: +155m
A bike excursion to the Château de Cheverny, remarkable for its sumptuously furnished apartments, which gave Hergé the inspiration for Captain Haddock's Marlinspike. Then proceed towards a brand new natural swimming pool! An astonishing open-air and organic swimming pool where you can rest and enjoy the surrounding wilderness (open between Jun 25-Aug 31).
Overnight in Bracieux or Tour in Sologne.
Day 4: Bracieux – Chitenay
22 miles/35 km | elev: +170m
Enjoy a ride along the small routes of Sologne, between forests and ponds, offering the opportunity to admire beautiful and tiny manor houses such as château de Troussay, a charming Renaissance manor. Don't hesitate to stop for a visit to a local wine producer to sample a glass of Cour Cheverny Blanc!
Overnight in Chienay.
Day 5: Chitenay – Chaumont-sur-Loire
17 miles/28 km | elev: +135m
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 and reach 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!
Overnight in Chaumont-sur-Loire or Mosnes.
Day 6: Chaumont sur Loire – Amboise
13 miles/21 km | elev: +160m
For your last cycling day, follow the 'Loire à Vélo' cycling tracks before arriving in the charming town of Amboise with its royal château, where the greatest kings of France lived. Do not miss to visit the Manoir du ClosLucé, the last home of Leonardo da Vinci, sheltering an astonishing collection of models representing the fabulous inventions of this Renaissance genius.
Today, you have the option to paddle the peace and tame waters of the last wild river in Europe. From the canoe you can admire the flora and fauna that inhabit the water and shorelines of the Loire river between Mosnes and Amboise. The trip takes about 1.5 hrs.
Overnight in Amboise.
Day 7: Departure during the day
Hotels
These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.
You will enjoy superior accommodations in 3- and 4-star hotels.
Blois: Hôtel Novotel Blois Centre Val de Loire
Bracieux: Hotel Du Cygne
OR
Tour in Sologne: Hotel Le Prieure De Boulogne
Chitenay: Auberge du Centre
Chaumont-sur-Loire: Hostellerie Du Chateau
OR
Mosnes: Domaine Des Thomeaux
Amboise: Hôtel Le Bellevue
Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.
Bikes
Standard touring bike
VTC GITANE bike - 21 speed gears
Included in this tour
A bike that favors an upright, comfortable position, ideal for leisure riding.
Step-through frame (as pictured) - sizes available up to 183 cm / 72 inches
Men's frame (cross-bar frame, not pictured) - sizes available for 183 cm / 72 inches or greater
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 front pannier with a map holder
- 1 repair kit
- 1 smartphone holder
- 1 lock
- 1 bottle cage
Trekking bike
SCOTT Sub Sport 20 - 27 speed gears
A “sport” bike that favors a more athletic position and riding style.
Step-through frame (as pictured) - sizes available up to 183 cm / 72 inches
Men's frame (cross-bar frame, not pictured) - sizes available for 183 cm / 72 inches or greater
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 front pannier with a map holder
- 1 repair kit
- 1 smartphone holder
- 1 lock
- 1 bottle cage
Electrically assisted bike
MOUSTACHE e-bike or similar
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 front pannier with a map holder
- 1 repair kit
- 1 smartphone holder
- 1 lock
*More about electrically-assisted bikes >
Child Trailer
Thule Coaster XT
Max child weight: 2 × 48.5 lbs
Follow-me tandem
The Follow Me towing system lets you safely guide your child and easily transition them to independent riding. It securely connects the rear wheel of an adult bike to the front wheel of a child’s bike. The tandem hitch is quick to attach and remove, so your child can ride solo whenever they’re ready.
Baby seat
Thule Yepp 2 maxi
Max child weight: 48.5 lbs
Accessories
Bike Protection:
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.
Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.
Helmets:
Helmets are available(please inquire). The use of a helmet is mandatory for children less than 12 years old (whether riders or passengers). We recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes.
Surface and terrain
The Loire à Vélo tour routes alternate between quiet roads with little traffic, dedicated bike paths, no-thoroughfare roads open only to local residents and non-motorized vehicles, and cycle lanes along roadways. This tour is designed to offer low daily cycling distances so you have plenty of time for off-bike visits of the sites along the way.
How to get there
Tour start
Nearest airport: Paris, France
Nearest train station: Blois, France
Tour end
Nearest airport: Paris, France
Nearest train station: Amboise, France
- From Paris: Austerlitz train station >> Blois train station (about 1h30 by train). .
- Return transfer to Blois: Amoise train station >> Blois train station (about 20 min by train).
- Return transfer to Paris: Amboise train station >> St Pierre des Corps train station >> Paris Montparnasse station (about 2h by train + TGV train).
Tips on getting to and from your tour
Reviews
- ★★★★★ Katia
El viaje esperado
No teníamos guía, estoy de acuerdo que es una forma estupenda de conocer Francia , la información proporcionada fue muy completa.
- What was the date of your tour?
- Junio de 2026
- How many tours have you completed?
- Ninguna
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens, Families with young kids
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- ★★★★★ Mary Allyson Emerson
Perfect amount of mileage
It was a wonderful experience. The hotels were clean and comfortable and always expecting us when we arrived. Never an issue with our luggage transfers either. Would definitely use Biketours.com again to organize our next trip!
- What was the date of your tour?
- Oct 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens, Families with young kids
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- ★★★★★ Cheryl Sparks
Scenery and castles and yummy food, oh my!!!
Very very enjoyable trip. All of the hotels were clean, comfortable and beautiful. Whole experience was great. We found that the app “ Geovelo” worked a lot better for navigation than the app from the bike company.
- What was the date of your tour?
- May 24
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- ★★★★★ Michael Beiley
Mediocre bike trip
This is our 6th bike trip in Europe as an older couple and our least favorite. The chateaux (chateaus) were the highlights with beautiful gardens and art work. The beginning town of Blois and last town of Ambroise were charming and the best part of the trip. The biking along the Loire the very first day and last day were the prettiest. Most of the biking was along dedicated bikepaths or very quiet roads. Otherwise, the bicycling though flat farmland, small towns with zero to very limited restaurants, and vineyards without opportunity to for tastings was very uninspiring. The tour operator booked us in a hotel for two nights when the restaurant was closed and the nearest town was 4km through a forest at night if we wanted to eat dinner. They also booked a canoe trip for 2:30 when we passed through it was 11:00 a.m and closed (we asked for a refund but they never replied.) The hotels other than the first and last day were very average. Overall, the 4 chateaux and the two 1/2 days biking along Loire river were the highlights, the rest was mediocre.
- What was the date of your tour?
- Sept-Oct 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 6
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Much easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- No
- ★★★★★ Tim Cooper
Dream trip
The daily route map was good but it needed specific directions about where to turn and specific streets with noticeable landmarks. This is a critical factor especially when arriving in Ambois and. how to get to the designated hotel.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 19,02023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 8
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- ★★★★★ Susan B
Best time ever on a bike tour
We had the most wonderful time on this tour. We are 73 and 75 years old, fairly frequent bike riders at home, and were completely capable of doing this easy route. Mostly flat, had to walk a couple of minor hills, very little riding in traffic. The route was beautiful (we were blessed with great weather in late September), the hotels were outstanding (I recommend taking the dinner package option with the tour; we didn't but ate at the hotels because several were in very small towns. The food was absolutely gourmet.) Our bikes were first class; the whole trip was just magic. People at Biketours.com are super easy to work with. Will definitely use them again.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Much easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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