Have you ever thought of the Loire Valley as a destination for family vacation? This is a wonderful place, rich in historical, cultural and natural beauty. It's perfect even for a short visit, making it an ideal destination for children. The cycling paths immersed in nature along the banks of the Loire and Cher and the short distances between the towns and castles make it possible to traverse by bike with routes suitable for beginners and young children.

Loire Valley with children: what to see

The entire region is dotted with numerous fortresses and castles really close to each other due to the strategic role they played in the past, all wonderful and so numerous that it is very difficult to choose which ones to visit. That's why we decided to suggest you 5 selected stops, ideal for visiting the Loire Valley with children.

Tours

The capital of Touraine, nestled at the confluence of the Loire and Cher, is a charming, lively and dynamic city that constantly rejuvenates itself without losing sight of its ancient heritage. Being an important cradle of the French Renaissance, Tours was the protagonist around the '60s of an important restoration policy which gave life to one of the most extensive well-preserved historical areas in Europe, with city center streets steeped in art and history, lively cafes and shopping stores, all set against the tranquil flow of the Loire.

Amboise

The tiny town that houses the enchanting Château Royal d’Amboise offers further wonders definitely worth a visit: the palace of Clos-Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last three years of his life. The palace will leave you awe-struck not so much for its beauty, but more for its accurate representation of Leonardo's genius and works. In the park outside, some of his most famous inventions have been recreated in life-size models, such as the tank, the machine gun, the geared bridges, where adults and kids can play and interact.

Chenonceau

Traveling just a few kilometers along the banks of the Cher river and passing through characteristic villages like Verretz, Azay-sur-Cher and Bleré in a total immersion in the French countryside, you arrive at the Château Chenonceau.

Also known as the “Castle of the two queens”, namely Diana of Poitiers and Catherine de’ Medici, respectively mistress and wife of Henry II, it is undoubtedly the most suggestive and most visited among the castles of the Loire.

Romantic, hidden and elegant, this castle is suspended on six arches that rise directly from the river and is surrounded by a delightful garden that houses the boxwood maze, where the little ones can have fun. Inside is the Great Gallery, venue of the lavish parties of Catherine de' Medici, which with its black and white tiles offers fascinating optical illusions, and the room of mourning, entirely painted and furnished in black, where Louise of Lorraine retreated after the assassination of her husband Henry III.

Villandry

As you continue pedalling along the banks of the river Cher, you arrive at the Castle of Villandry, the newest among the great Castles of the Loire, surrounded by the famous jardins potagers (vegetable gardens), made with vegetables, fruit trees and aromatic herbs.

Along the entire visiting route, children and adults can lose themselves admiring the flowers, fruits and water games till they are fascinated, and information panels allow a better understanding of the gardens, their history and the work of the gardeners. You can also taste tartines and savory pies made with garden products at the castle cafeteria, and buy at the boutique Villandry seed bags to try to recreate a small French garden at home.

Château d’Ussé

Located further from Tours and about 30 km away from Villandry is the Château d’Ussé, an absolutely must-see castle that inspired the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty. The castle's interior indeed offers the opportunity to retrace the stages of the tale through a setting that branches off in the various rooms of the manor and that allows adults and children to empathize with the story's characters.

After climbing up a steep spiral staircase, you reach the Ancient Tower, the highest part of the castle from where you can admire the panorama of the quiet surrounding countryside and the park, which contains numerous bars and charming restaurants and where you can have picnics in perfect French style.

Why is the Loire Valley perfect for a family trip?

The Loire Valley is an unbeatable place to enjoy a wonderful bike holiday with your family, discovering castles and gardens with unique beauty and charm every day. That's why we decided to let you discover this wonderful territory giving you the freedom to choose the type of trip most suitable for you and your family.

You can choose a daisy tour, perfect even for the youngest children, because it conveniently allows you to return each evening to the same hotel and to not have to pack your bags for the entire duration of the stay, thus giving the opportunity to travel also with your four-legged friends, who can stay in the hotel and enjoy whole days outdoors.

But if your little bikers already have an itch for discovery, head straight for the linear version of the journey, from Tours to Chinon, that will transport you on a journey where reality exceeds imagination.

What are you waiting for? Discover all our family tours in the Loire Valley and experience a fairytale vacation!