Loire à Vélo: Cycling from Blois to Tours Along the Great Châteaux

Day 1: Arrival in Blois
You will discover the charming town of Blois as you stroll along its paved streets punctuated with staircases. The château is a perfect illustration of how French architecture evolved between the Middle Ages and the 17th century.

Day 2: Excursion to Chambord (40 km; +175m)
For your first cycling excursion, you will follow the Loire River to the Domaine de Chambord forest. A stop is essential to visit the most famous and majestic château of the Loire Valley — in its Renaissance splendour, Château de Chambord boasts no less than 440 rooms. You will explore its vast 5,433-hectare park before setting off along country paths back towards Blois.

Day 3: Blois – Amboise (42 km; +200m)
You will follow the Loire à Vélo cycling tracks through tiny villages to the château of Chaumont-sur-Loire, which majestically dominates the river. Then you will reach Amboise and its royal château. The castle's chapel shelters Leonardo da Vinci's tomb, and a few streets further on, you will find the Clos Lucé Manor House, the last residence of the great genius.

Day 4: Excursion to Chenonceaux (45 km; +340m)
Once you have crossed the forest of Amboise, you will arrive at the famous Château de Chenonceau, straddling the Cher River. This architectural marvel was the scene of a famous rivalry in French history: that of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici.

Day 5: Amboise – Tours (26 km; +100m)
Crossing the vineyards of Montlouis, you will discover numerous cellars producing the region's famous sweet white and sparkling wines. You will then reach the city of Tours and its old neighbourhood with typical half-timbered houses.

Day 6: Excursion to Villandry (40 km; +80m)
You will follow the Loire à Vélo cycling path to Villandry and its famous Renaissance gardens. The Ornamental Kitchen Garden, the Garden of Love, the Water Garden, and the Sun Garden all await your visit. You will return to Tours following peaceful countryside routes.

Day 7: Departure