French Bike Tours - Email: info@french-biketours.com - Telephone +33 (0)553242210 - WWW.FRENCH-BIKETOURS.COM
Spend your holidays in France on a bike and cycle at your own pace along the Loire; the former highway between the Atlantic and the heart of France. Explore its valley once the ‘playground of kings’ with its impressive châteaux like Amboise, Chenonceau, Chambord, Blois… Pedal at a relaxed pace and discover also the lesser-known gems while you crisscross the ‘garden of France’. We advise you to extend your stay in order to take the time to visit the beautiful city of Blois.
The route descriptions we have made for this trip will be supplied via a travel app, for “GPS” navigation with visual/audio guidance (showing the route on your smartphone). When you book this self-guided cycling holiday, we will send you an explanation of how to use this app and an access code. The app contains the route plus practical and tourist information. Once the trip has been downloaded, no internet connection is necessary. You can then easily follow the routes we have prepared for you via your phone.
| Day 1 | Arrival in Blois | |
You independantly travel to Blois. If there's some time left take a walk around the town which is known for its pale-coloured stone facades and slate 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, and a perfect example of the evolution of French architecture between the Middle Ages and 17th century.
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| Day 2 | Blois - Amboise | |
From Blois you follow the southern bank of the Loire. Between rolling hills with vineyards you cycle to Cande-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. There are some short climbs on the way. Challenge: 42.5km, 204m ascent, 209m descent
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| Day 3 | Amboise - Chenonceau | |
Via Montlouis sur Loire to the famous “Château de Chenonceau” which straddles the Cher River with its five distinctive arches. It was this chateau which was given by King Henri II to his mistress Diane de Poitiers and later recovered, after his death, by his widow Queen Catherine de Médicis. End in the charming Chenonceaux, nestled on the banks of the Cher river. There are two cycle routes to choose from: one is direct while the other takes you on a scenic route along the Loire and Cher River valleys with options to visit chateaux and villages en route. Challenge: 40.6km, 126m ascent, 129m descent
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| Day 4 | Chenonceau - Chitenay | |
You leave behind the Cher Valley and enter the Touraine area via the chateau of Gué Péan and the medieval chateau of Fougère sur Bièvre, a perfect example of traditional 15th Century architecture. Your night’s accommodation is at a charming rural hotel with a lovely garden. Challenge: 40.6km, 169m ascent, 146m descent
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| Day 5 | Chitenay - Blois | |
During this last stage of the cycle ride, you have the opportunity to discover the famous, sumptuously furnished Château of Cheverny before reaching the prestigious Château de Chambord with its 440 rooms, built during the reign of Francois the 1st. We return to Blois with its hilly streets surrounding the Blois castle. A perfect fairy tale ending to a memorable bike ride. Challenge: 50km, 136m ascent, 153m descent
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| Day 6 | Departure from Blois | |
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 Blois. |
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Starting dates:
Daily from April 01 till October 31
Of course you can also book extra night(s) during the trip. We can give you these prices on request. Please mention where you would like to add extra night(s).
5 Nights included
2/3 Star Hotels or 3/4 Star Hotels (supplement applied)
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 information on request
We will supply the directions of this trip with a personalized code which gives you access to our travel App.