You will discover 3 parts of cycle routes :
- The "Saint-Jacques à Vélo" cycle route follows as closely as possible the centuries-old paths taken by pilgrims heading through western France to Spain’s Santiago de Compostela. Using cycle paths and small country roads along the Loir river, enjoy an epic historic, cultural and sporty route!
- The "Cher à Vélo", alternating cycle paths and quiet roads traveling from heritage to discovery along the Cher river. This is what awaits you along the « Coeur de France à Vélo », you will cross pretty villages, you could visit troglodytic quarries and other beautiful sites.
- The famous "Loire à Vélo" route through the world famous Pays des Châteaux’, the most splendid cultural part of the Loire Valley. ’Along magnificent/grand castles : Blois, Amboise,Chenonceau,…. and beautiful wild river landscapes, nice stops during the day to taste one/some of the excellent wines of the region
Highlights :
The route descriptions we have made for this trip will be supplied via a travel app, for “GPS” navigation with visual/audio guidance (reading of the track on your smartphone). When you book this self-guided cycling holiday, we will send you explanations on how to use this app and send you an access code. The app contains routes and practical and tourist information.
You individually travel to Tours. Check in at your hotel. Have you arrived early, take a stroll through the town centre of the friendly capital of what is called ´the Garden of France.
This Saint-Jacques à Vélo stage alternates between quiet country roads and greenways, running beside waterways lined by fields and pastures. Starting by crossing what the French describe as the last great wild river in Europe and the Loire awaits you with a lovely cycle path along the north bank. Cross the Pays du Vouvray, where Touraine’s famed vineyards yield a fine array of white wines. Halfway, you enter the Pays Gâtine Tourangelle to end your day in the peaceful town of Château-Renault.
Challenge : 39 km, 283m ascent, 241m descent
Today, start in the countryside, through the cultivated valleys of Castelrenaudais, between the Loir and Loire valleys. Continue on to the North, where the route winds along a tributary of the Loir for a few kilometers. Change banks at Lavardin, “Most beautiful villages in France” nestled at the foot of the ruins of its castle, and reach Montoire-sur-le-Loir, a town with a medieval heritage and old residences bordering the river. Further on, your route passes through the nautical base of Villiers-sur-Loir, it is a great opportunity to cool off before cutting through the Vendôme countryside. End of the stage in Vendôme, a city with a rich heritage, ideal for a historic, cultural and gourmet break!
Challenge : 51 km, 293m ascent, 305m descent
Go on your bike to discover the landscapes of South Vendômois and North Blaisois, between the Cisse valley and Petite Beauce. From village to village, crossing fields and woods, along the Grand Pierre et Vitain Nature Reserve, admire wealth of the small local heritage, which will take you on a journey from Prehistory to the Middle Ages. When you arrive in Blois, take a walk around the town which is known for its light facades and blue roofs, its pedestrian streets gracefully preserving the flavour of lost centuries and its serene atmosphere. Also worth a visit is the Royal Chateau de Blois, the residence of several French kings.
Challenge : 51 km, 293m ascent, 299m descent
From Blois you follow the southern bank of the Loire. Between rolling hills with vineyards, you cycle to Candé-sur-Beuvron. Cycle back along the Beuvron to the majestic Loire. High on the bank is the elegant castle of Chaumont-sur-Loire surrounded by beautiful gardens. You are in the historic region Touraine. Visit a wine grower and taste a local ‘sauvignon blanc´. Enjoy the grandeur of the Château Amboise and Clos-Lucé where Leonardo da Vinci once stayed.
Challenge : 43 km, 265m ascent, 295m descent
Leave the medieval atmosphere of Amboise behind you and cycle to the famous “Château de Chenonceau” which straddles the Cher River in five distinctive arches. It was this chateau which was promised by King Henri II to his mistress Diane de Poitiers, which was sabotaged by the Queen, Catherine de Médicis. Continue your cycling day to the region of the prestigious ´Montlouis’ wines. The ideal microclimate, close to where the Loire and Cher unite, produces grapes of a unique quality. Discover this yourself during a visit to a wine cellar or a lunchbreak. A fine track brings you back to Tours. Here great experiences are awaiting you like the magnificent cathedral and basilica, the famous Place Plumereau, Olivier Debré Art Centre, Botanical Garden, flavors of the markets.
Challenge : 55 km, 195m ascent, 203m descent
End of your trip after breakfast. We advise you to extend your stay in order to take the time to visit the beautiful city of Tours.
All accommodations are carefully selected because of their location, atmosphere and/or unique services.
We choose comfortable 2*/3* where all rooms have private en-suite bathroom and every morning breakfast are included.
The bike rental includes the drop-off fee for the bike’s return
SCOTT Sub Cross Men/Lady Alloy Frame, 24 Speed
The bikes come with pannier, handlebar bag, spare tube, tools, pump, helmet and lock
SCOTT E-Sub
The bikes come with pannier, handlebar bag, spare tube, tools, pump, helmet and lock
6 Nights included
2/3 Star Hotels
Tourist tax included
Breakfast included, Halfboard optional on request
Maps and tourist information on all the places of interest
24/7 Bilingual Emergency hotline
Luggage transport to your next accommodations. Luggage accepted per person: 1 suitcase or travel bag (20 kg maximum)
For time tables and further information check the website of SNCF or rome2rio for all French National trains (SNCF).
We strongly advise you to download the sncf mobile app prior to departure.
If you want to travel on a train with your bike, you can find more information via this link.
Parking informations on request
We will supply the directions of this trip with a personalized code which gives you access to our travel App.
The international Paris airports Charles de Gaulle in the North and Orly in the South are served by a large number of scheduled and low cost airlines.They are connected with Paris by metro and bus services. From Paris you can take a train to Tours, see below.
You can get to Tours by train. On the end of your trip you can take a train from Tours.
For timetables and further information check the website of SNCF or rome2rio for all French National trains (SNCF).
From Paris to Tours (approx. 2h40 - 240 km/150 mi). Acces to driving routes see the website ViaMichelin.
The hosts at Chateau Renault were lovely and house and gardens were beautiful. Also lovely hosts at Vendôme with a lovely room. Only downside was the long walk to get dinner. We really enjoyed Chaumont despite the steep incline to reach it.
Very good trip with mainly centrally located accommodation. It would be good if the app directed to your accommodation rather than the centre of the town. The last day the notes were inaccurate as we were on the wrong side of the river to access the Guingettes.
Good information about châteaux passes and how to obtain. Codes for app on front page of FBT would be better.
Top floor rooms in hotels with no lifts. After a long day of cycling and chateau visiting this was a heart sink.
Pamela D-M.
55, rue Saint Jacques
24540 Monpazier
France
info@french-biketours.com
+33 (0) 5 53 73 08 61
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