2024
Azay-le-Rideau castle

Bike Tour along the Castles of the Loire

Round trip from Blois in the garden of France

Blois – Tours – Azay-le-Rideau – Chenonceaux – Blois

  • Chateaux Chambord, Amboise, Chenonceau & many more
  • Mansions, Monasteries & Vineyards
  • UNESCO world heritage valley of the Loire
  • Daily routes ●●●○○, altitude profile ●●●○○
  • Bestseller!

Days
8

Ø km per day
55

The historic heart of the Grande Nation, the much praised garden of France and pure romance await you on this bike tour, on which you will explore the castles of the Loire by bike. The high nobility realized their dreams of living in this region and left behind an abundance of castles that are unparalleled in their diversity and density. But not only the palaces and manor houses, also the dreamy gardens are true feasts for the eyes. Likewise, the charming villages and breathtaking nature will make your vacation to the castles on the Loire by bike an unforgettable experience. We make a rendezvous with the renowned castles in Chambord, Amboise, Chenonceau, Blois and many more possible – on our popular bike tour through the Loire Valley.

Itinerary

  • Booking code
    FR-LOBB7
  • Start / Destination
    Blois
  • Duration
    8 days, 7 nights
  • Length
    approx. 305 – 365 km
    Daily routes ●●●○○
    between 40 and 60 km, Ø 55 km
    Altitude profile ●●●○○
Map the castles of the Loire by bike

Day 1: Individual arrival in Blois

Your journey to the chateaux of the Loire by bike begins in Blois. Special centerpiece of the small town built on hills is the castle on the right bank of the Loire. Perched on a hilltop, it evolved from a castle complex and served as the residence of French kings until the 16th century. Immerse yourself in the world of yesteryear during a tour of the castle and enjoy a fruity wine from the Loire Valley at the end of the day.

Blois Castle

Château Royal de Blois

Day 2: Blois – Tours, approx. 45 km + train ride or approx. 75 km

On the first stage of your journey to the chateaux of the Loire, you follow the leisurely flowing river through an ancient cultural landscape on the bike. A special feature are the rock dwellings carved into the limestone, which are still inhabited today. Another highlight of the route is the castle in Amboise. A visit to the former royal residence is ideal for a stopover before continuing along the Loire River to your destination for the day, Tours. If you want to shorten the distance from Amboise by 30 kilometers, this is possible by train ride (not included).

Amboise castle

Château d'Amboise

Day 3: Tours – Chinon, approx. 55 km

Along the Cher River you will cycle near the village of Savonnières to Villandry Castle. The impressive complex in Renaissance style with its well-kept versatile terraced gardens offers ideal conditions for an extensive walk. Back on your bike, you now follow the banks of the Loire River, which leads you to the castle in Langeais. The three mighty round towers and the drawbridge will be the first things that catch your eye when you visit. At the edge of the forest of Chinon rises the Sleeping Beauty Castle of Ussé, also very worth seeing. Through small villages and past wide fields you will reach Chinon.

Ussé Castle, Rigny-Ussé

Château d'Ussé

Day 4: Excursion to Fontevraud l‘Abbaye, approx. 55 km

On your journey to the chateaux of the Loire by bike today you can make an excursion to Fontevraud l'Abbaye, known for its extensive monastery complex. First you follow the river Vienne to the mouth of the Loire at Montsoreau. The castle built there, which looks like a castle from the outside, is worth seeing. Through vineyards you go to Fontevraud l'Abbaye. The very well preserved monastic town is considered the largest contiguous monastic complex in Europe. Then you cycle back to Chinon.

Chinon Loire

Chinon

Day 5: Chinon – Azay-le-Rideau, approx. 40 km

You will have enough time to visit the fortress of Chinon before your bike tour takes you through old vineyards to Crissay. With its tufa houses dating from the 15th and 16th centuries, it is one of the most beautiful villages in France. The town of Azay-le-Rideau is your destination for the day. Here, in the middle of the water, lies one of the most famous Loire castles. The writer Honoré de Balzac compared it to a cut diamond set by the Indre. Convince yourself on site of the beauty of the Renaissance building with its opulent interior.

Azay-le-Rideau Castle

Château d'Azay-le-Rideau

Day 6: Azay-le-Rideau – Chenonceaux, approx. 60 km

Today you will be charmed by the romantic river landscape of the Indre, which accompanies you to the pretty little town of Montbazon. After a short climb, you continue along the river to Bléré. Now you follow the course of the Cher River, which leads you to your destination of the day, Chenonceaux. This enchanting moated castle looks back on a history of around 800 years. It is not surprising that it is called Château des Dames, as the women who once lived there made a significant contribution to the appearance of the complex. Also very worth seeing: the bridge gallery and the extensive gardens.

Chenonceau Castle

Château de Chenonceau

Day 7: Chenonceaux – Blois, approx. 50 / 80 km

If you choose the shorter stage today, follow the Loire cycle path through the lovely landscape of Touraine to Chaumont Castle. If you prefer more kilometers on the bike, you can also cycle to the castle in Montrichard and the castles in Cheverny and Villasavin on the longer tour. Before returning to Blois, another highlight of this trip awaits you: Chambord Castle. It is not only the largest castle in the Loire Valley, but also the most magnificent. The design of the castle created over 500 years ago is said to go back to Leonardo da Vinci.

Chambord Castle

Château de Chambord

Day 8: Individual departure

After breakfast your trip to the chateaux of the Loire by bike already ends and you start your individual journey home. We are happy to extend your stay in Blois with an extra night.

Blois

Farewell to Blois

Dates / Prices / Services

Season times and prices 2024

Arrival on Saturdays and Thursdays from 23.03.2024 to 12.10.2024

Bookable dates are shown in the booking form. The season is dictated by the arrival date.

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Category B

Season A
23.03. - 12.04.
28.09. - 12.10.
from939 €
Season B
13.04. - 10.05.
07.09. - 27.09.
from999 €
Season C
11.05. - 06.09.

from1059 €

Category A

Season A
23.03. - 12.04.
28.09. - 12.10.
from1079 €
Season B
13.04. - 10.05.
07.09. - 27.09.
from1139 €
Season C
11.05. - 06.09.

from1199 €

All prices per person in a double room

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Services

  • 7 nights with breakfast, national 2* / 3* level,
    Category B (FR-LOBB7b)
  • 7 nights with breakfast, national 3* level,
    Category A (FR-LOBB7a)
  • Luggage transport from hotel to hotel, no limit on the number of pieces, max. 20 kg / piece
  • Travel documents with maps (1 x per room)
  • Service hotline (7 days, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
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Not included:

  • Train ride Amboise – Tours, approx. 6 € per person incl. bike
  • City or visitor's tax (if payable)
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For our younger cyclists

discount-icon discount-icon-baby

From 0 to 5 years

-100%

discount-icon discount-icon-lego

From 6 to 11 years

-50%

discount-icon discount-icon-football

From 12 to 14 years

-25%

discount-icon discount-icon-joystick

From 15 to 17 years

-10%

Applies for accommodation in rooms with 2 full-paying guests.

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Additional services

Additional bookable services

Category B
Category A

Additional fee single room

379 €

All prices are per person

Additional nights

Room
Breakfast
Category B
Category A
Blois (Season A + B)
 DBL

65 €

69 €

 SGL

129 €

119 €

Blois (Season C)
 DBL

79 €

 SGL

145 €

129 €

All prices are per person

Rental bikes

Rental Bikes

Mietrad
Mietrad
99 €
E-Bike
E-Bike
259 €

Types of rental bikes

  • 7-gear unisex bike, hub gears with coaster
  • 21-gear unisex bike, derailleur gears with freewheel (men's bike from 1.80m)
  • E-bike / pedelec
Equipment

Pannier, handlebar bag, odometer, bike lock, air pump, repair kit

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7- / 21-gear rental bike

99 €

E-bike / pedelec

259 €

All prices are per person

Brief info

  • Booking code
    FR-LOBB7
  • Start / Destination
    Blois
  • Duration
    8 days, 7 nights
  • Length
    approx. 305 – 365 km
    Daily routes ●●●○○
    between 40 and 60 km, Ø 55 km
    Altitude profile ●●●○○
  • Parking information
    Public parking garage, cost approx. 30 € / week
    No reservation possible through Radweg-Reisen
  • Note
    In France, helmets are mandatory for children under 12 years. For safety reasons, however, we generally recommend wearing a helmet.
  • Tour operated by
    Local cooperation partner
  • Mobility note
    The trip is only conditionally suitable for people with limited mobility.
    Please do not hesitate to contact us regarding your individual needs.
  • Print version PDF

Days
8

Ø km per day
55