France – Loire Royal Valley Bike Tour

Your arrival town is Blois, located right on the Loire River and easily accessible from Paris by train. Take a taxi from the station to your hotel. After getting checked in, you have free time to explore. The center has very nice walking streets, pastry shops, cafes and wine shops with ‘degustation’! In Blois, all roads lead to the château. Richly decorated and superbly restored in the 19th century, this royal residence saw a succession of no fewer than seven kings and ten queens of France. Allow some time to visit and if summer, take in the Sound and Light show at the Castle this evening. Orientation and bike delivery will be tomorrow morning at your hotel; we will confirm the time prior to travel.

Overnight: Blois

Today, make your way down to the chateau of Chaumont-sur-Loire. This chateau was originally built during the wars between the counts of Anjou and Blois in the 11th century on a very strategic point along the river. Remodeled and rebuilt over the centuries by various owners including Catherine de Medici, the castle is now a venue for the International Garden Festival.

On the south side of the river lies the famous town centre and castle, where the French kings spent their childhoods during the XV and XVI centuries. In town there is also a museum displaying many of the inventions of Leonardo da Vinci, who spent the last few years of his life here until he died in 1519. We highly recommend taking some time to visit this interesting place!

Meals: breakfast
Distance: 42 km / 26 miles
Highlights: Chaumont-sur-Loire, Amboise sight-seeing
Overnight: Amboise

Start your morning as you wish with breakfast on your time and after, you can get kitted up to ride! One of the advantages of a self-guided trip is you set your schedule each day – enjoy! The highlight of today’s ride is the chateau of Chenonceau, the most romantic of all the Loire chateaux. It actually sits on the Cher River, whose waters reflect the pale stone of the beautiful turrets and arches, and was the home of both Catherine de Medicis and Diane de Poitiers. Take your time for a good visit and you may want to pack a lunch from Amboise to enjoy here as well. After, option to continue on to the village of Montrichard, which faces the Cher River at the footsteps of the fortress built in 1121.

Meals: breakfast & dinner
Distance: 24 or 45 km / 15 or 28 miles
Highlights: Chenonceau, Montrichard
Overnight: Chenonceau

Another ‘royal’ day of castles! Today you are away from the main tourist routes on your bike, where you will first see some Troglodyte houses along the Cher Valley. You ride through vineyards and woods until the attractive village of Fougères sur Bievre with its Feudal Chateau. There is then about 15kms left to get to the Villages of Chitnay and then near Cheverny to a nice castle hotel near to the famous Cheverny Castle. As tomorrow is a big day, you may want to take time to visit Cheverny by bike, today.

Meals: breakfast, dinner
Distance: 36 or 45 km / 22 or 28 miles
Highlights: Troglodyte houses, beautiful chateaus & castles
Overnight: Cheverny

The ride today takes you north through forests to find the amazing chateau of Chambord, the masterpiece of the French renaissance, completed in 1545. After the visit, you cross the Loire River to ride the north bank downstream toward Blois. This is definitely one of the most pleasant section of the Loire to ride along. You eventually get into the royal city of Blois where Louis XII was born. The fine castle is full of history – assassinations were perpetrated here, and there are beautiful examples of different architectural styles. Blois is also a nice walking town around the center where you will find shops and restaurants.

Meals: breakfast
Distance: 43 km / 27 miles
Highlights: Chambord, Blois, chateau & castle visit
Overnight: Blois

Depart from your hotel in Blois after enjoying breakfast at your leisure. Trains are available direct to Paris. See www.oui.sncf.com for the train schedules.

Meals: breakfast