Loire Cycling Tour from Blois to Saumur 

Arrival in Blois

Discover the charming town of Blois, as you stroll along its paved streets punctuated with staircases, and the château.

Excursion to Chambord | 40 km (elevation gain +176m) (option Cheverny + 26 km)

For your first bike excursion, follow the banks of the Loire river and then continue through the rich Domaine de Chambord forest, where a stop is essential to visit the most famous and majestic château of the Loire Valley. In its Renaissance splendour, the Château de Chambord boasts 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. Possibility to reach the Château de Cheverny, remarkable for its sumptuously furnished and decorated apartments, which inspired Hergé’s vision of Marlinspike in the adventures of Tintin!

Blois – Amboise | 40 km (elevation gain +200m)

Follow the ‘Loire à Vélo’ 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.

Amboise – Tours (via Chenonceaux) | 53 km (elevation gain +283m)

Ride to the famous Château de Chenonceau, straddling the Cher river, and which was the scene of a famous rivalry in French history: that of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. Then cross the vineyards of Montlouis following the “Loire à Vélo” cycling tracks and discover the numerous cellars producing the region’s famous sweet white and sparkling wines. You reach the city of Tours to discover the old neighbourhood with its typical half-timbered houses.

OPTION: Canoe trip on the Cher river. Enjoy a canoe trip offering you an extraordinary point of view on the Château de Chenonceau (approx. 2h).

Tours – Chinon | 57 km (elevation gain +295m)

Along the “Loire a Vélo” cycling paths, this stage takes you via the famous French classical gardens of Villandry to Langeais and its 15th century château which was built as a fortress. Then ride towards the chateau of Ussé, whose many turrets, pinnacles and dormer windows inspired Perrault to write his famous fairytale ‘Sleeping Beauty‘. Stay in the beautiful city of Chinon, where you have the possibility to visit numerous cellars where the famous red wine which was highly appreciated by Rabelais is matured.

OPTION: Excursion to Château du Rivau & Chinon vineyards (43 km) (elevation gain +165m) + extra night in Chinon. This excursion leads you to the charming little “Notre-Dame” church, hidden into Rivière village. Do not miss its beautiful 11th century mural paintings. Proceed to château du Rivau which evokes the wonderful middle-Age stories and legends, before riding through the most prestigious Chinon vineyards of Cravant les Côteaux.

Chinon – Saumur | 36 km (option Fontevraud : + 12 km) (elevation gain +200m)

Follow the “Loire à Vélo” routes which will lead you to the village of Candes-Saint-Martin (where you can visit the magnificent 12th and 13th century collegiate church) and to the beautiful village of Montsoreau. Continue along troglodyte sites and vineyards before reaching lovely town of Saumur. You have the opportunity to reach Fontevraud abbey, Europe’s largest remaining monastic complex which is also the Necropolis of the Plantagenêt kings!

Departure during the day