The Loire by bike from Orléans to Angers

Day 1: Orléans
Individual arrival in Orléans. After settling in, take the opportunity to explore this City of Art and History, which Joan of Arc liberated in 1429, from the siege of the English.

Day 2: Orléans – Beaugency (26 km)
After an obligatory visit to the historical center of Orléans and the sumptuous Cathedral of the Holy Cross, you leave the city by following the cycle paths of La Loire à Vélo along the banks of the Loire up to the beautiful Castle of Meung-sur-Loire, and then towards the floral city of Beaugency, dominated by a tower from the 11th century.

Day 3: Beaugency – Blois (45 km)
You leave Beaugency and head towards Blois, a town with a rich past whose castle is a perfect illustration of how French architecture has evolved between the Middle Ages and the 17th century. You will then discover the unique landscapes of the Sologne region and naturally the Castle of Chambord, an authentic masterpiece of French Renaissance.

Day 4: Blois – Amboise (40 km)
Today's route will lead you biking on the cycle paths of Pays des châteaux, through small villages and up to the Castle of Chaumont-sur-Loire, which majestically dominates the river and the village below. You will then reach Amboise with its Royal Castle, where the chapel houses the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci. Just a short walk from here, you will find the manor of Clos Lucé, where the Italian genius spent the last years of his life.

Day 5: Amboise – Tours (30 km)
Cycling amidst the vineyards of Vouvray or Montlouis, you can discover the many wineries that produce the refined white wines of the area. You then move on to the Castle of Bourdaisière where Gabrielle d’Estrées, favourite of King Henry IV, was born. Lastly, you will reach the city of Tours and we recommend you explore the old part of the city centered around lively Place Plumereau, framed by typical half-timbered houses and animated by the terraces of cafes and restaurants overlooking it.

Day 6: Tours – Azay le Rideau (44 km)
First, you will reach the village of Savonnières where, if you wish, you can visit the site known as the Petrifying Caves, so-called because here the water transforms into stone, or rather, into extraordinary bright white limestone formations. You then continue to the Castle of Villandry, famous for its gardens, unique in Europe, where flowers mix with fruit trees, vegetables, and aromatic herbs. The route continues through Saché, the museum home of writer Honoré de Balzac, and ends in Azay le Rideau, where you can admire the splendid Renaissance castle, a jewel set in the river Indre.

Day 7: Azay le Rideau – Chinon (35 km)
Departure in the morning towards Langeais and its 15th-century fortress castle. You then move on to the Castle of Ussé, whose turrets, pinnacles, and dormers inspired Perrault in the creation of his famous fairy tale Sleeping Beauty. You will spend the evening in the beautiful medieval town of Chinon, on the banks of the Vienne river, famous for its elegant red wines.

Day 8: Chinon – Saumur (36 km)
Before leaving Chinon, visit one of the cellars where the famous red wine is left to age. The route then continues towards the Abbey of Fontevraud, one of the largest monastic complexes in Europe, where the tombs of the Plantagenet dynasty kings are kept. The tour ends in the beautiful town of Saumur.

Day 9: Saumur – Angers (58 km)
The route initially follows the course of the Loire and then crosses the vineyards of Anjou. You thus arrive at the peaceful city of Angers with its imposing castle fortress, home to the largest medieval tapestry in the world: the Apocalypse Tapestry.

Day 10: Angers
After breakfast, the services end and individual departure throughout the day.