Loire à Vélo: Orléans to Tours

Day 1: Arrival in Orléans
You will arrive in Orléans, the luminous "City of Art and History" that Joan of Arc famously liberated from the English siege in 1429. Take your time to wander through its elegant streets, admire the Gothic cathedral, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of this proud Loire city.

Day 2: Orléans – Beaugency (26 km; +85 m)
You will set off along the wild river banks of the Loire, cycling through a landscape of calm and serenity. The path leads you gently to the charming and very flowered city of Beaugency, where medieval towers reflect in the river and a timeless atmosphere invites you to linger.

Day 3: Beaugency – Blois (46 km; +130 m)
You will leave Beaugency following the river banks, passing through forests and clearings before the breathtaking silhouette of the Château de Chambord appears — the widest château of the Loire Valley and a true masterpiece of the Renaissance. Then you will ride towards the town of Blois, whose own royal château presents a rich tapestry of French architecture from the Middle Ages to the 17th century.

Day 4: Blois – Amboise (42 km; +200 m)
You will follow quiet countryside routes, cycling past hedgerows and small villages until the elegant Château de Chaumont rises above the Loire River. Then you will descend towards Amboise and its magnificent royal château, where centuries of history unfold around every corner. Just a few streets away, you will discover Clos Lucé — the last home of Leonardo Da Vinci, now a fascinating museum celebrating his genius.

Day 5: Amboise – Tours (30 km; +100 m / or 53 km via Chenonceaux; +285 m)
You will ride through the sun-kissed vineyards of Montlouis, where local cellars offer tastings of delicate sweet white and sparkling wines. You will then pass the lovely Château de la Bourdaisière before reaching the heart of Tours — a city of half-timbered houses, lively cafés, and the famous Place Plumereau. For those seeking a longer ride, a magnificent detour leads to the Château de Chenonceau, straddling the Cher river, before cycling back along the brand-new Cher à Vélo path.

Day 6: Departure
You will bid farewell to the Loire Valley after breakfast. A direct TGV from Tours brings you back to Paris Montparnasse in about one hour.