Loire Valley bike tour from Blois to Tours among the great chateaux

Day 1: Arrival in Blois + Excursion to Chambord (40 km/25 mi)
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 from the Middle Ages to the 17th century. For your first bike excursion, follow the Loire river banks up to the Domaine de Chambord forest, where a stop is essential to visit the most famous and majestic château of the Loire Valley, boasting no less than 440 rooms. You can also explore its 5433-hectare (13425-acre) park, before setting off again along the country paths towards Blois.

Day 2: Blois – Cheverny (49 k/30 mi)
Your itinerary takes you through fields and vineyards and a number of villages, via the Château de Troussay, a charming Renaissance manor, and the Château de Cheverny, remarkable for its sumptuously furnished and decorated apartments, which inspired Hergé’s vision of Marlinspike in the famous comic The Adventures of Tintin. Do not miss a wine tasting at a local producer’s along the route: you are in the Cheverny appellation!

Day 3: Blois – Amboise (39 km/24 mi)
Follow the Pays des châteaux cycling tracks through nice tiny villages to the château of Chaumont-sur-Loire, which majestically dominates the Loire river and the little town, before reaching the city of Amboise and its royal château. The castle’s chapel shelters Leonardo Da Vinci’s tomb and a few streets further on, you can see the last residence of this genius: the Clos Lucé Manor house.

Day 4: Amboise – Chenonceaux – Amboise (38 km/24 mi + 8 km/5 mi optional)
Once you have crossed the Forest of Amboise, you will arrive at the famous Château de Chenonceau, straddling the Cher river, which was the scene of a famous rivalry in French history: that of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici.

Day 5: Amboise – Tours (24 km/15 mi or 32 km/20 mi)
Crossing the vineyards of Montlouis discover the numerous cellars producing the region’s famous sweet white and sparkling wines. Then you will reach the city of Tours to discover the old city center with its typical timbered houses.

Day 6: Tours – Villandry – Tours (39 km/24 mi)
Follow the Loire à vélo cycling path and reach Villandry and its famous French style Renaissance gardens. Enjoy the Ornamental kitchen Garden, the Garden of Love, the Water Garden and the Sun Garden. Come back to Tours following the peaceful countryside routes.

Day 7: Tours
End of services after breakfast and individual departure during the day.