Loire Cycling: From Blois to Saumur

Day 1: Arrival in Blois
You will arrive in Blois and settle in for the evening. Stroll through the charming old town with its paved streets, grand staircases, and the imposing Royal Château — a perfect overture to the days ahead.

Day 2: Excursion to Chambord — 40 km; +175 m
Your first ride follows the banks of the Loire before plunging into the ancient forest of the Domaine de Chambord. The château itself is breathtaking — 440 rooms of pure Renaissance grandeur set within a 5,400-hectare park. You will loop back to Blois along peaceful country paths. An optional extension leads to the Château de Cheverny, whose lavishly furnished interiors inspired Hergé's Marlinspike Hall.

Day 3: Blois – Amboise — 40 km; +200 m
The Loire à Vélo trail carries you through tiny riverside hamlets to the Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire, perched dramatically above the river. You will then ride on to Amboise, where the Royal Château shelters Leonardo da Vinci's tomb. A few streets further, the Clos Lucé manor reveals the last home of the great Renaissance master.

Day 4: Amboise – Tours (via Chenonceau) — 53 km; +280 m
A highlight day. You will ride to the iconic Château de Chenonceau, gracefully spanning the Cher river — scene of the legendary rivalry between Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. The route continues through the Montlouis vineyards, famous for sparkling and sweet white wines, before reaching Tours and its medieval quarter of half-timbered houses.

Day 5: Tours – Chinon — 57 km; +295 m
The longest stage rewards with some of the valley's finest scenery. You will pass the manicured gardens of Villandry, the fortress-château of Langeais, and the fairy-tale turrets of Ussé — said to have inspired Perrault's Sleeping Beauty. The day ends in Chinon, a town steeped in wine culture and Rabelaisian legend.

Day 6: Chinon – Saumur — 36 km; +200 m
A gentle final stage along the Loire à Vélo brings you through Candes-Saint-Martin and the picturesque village of Montsoreau. You will ride past troglodyte dwellings and vineyards before arriving in the elegant town of Saumur. An optional detour leads to Fontevraud Abbey, Europe's largest remaining monastic complex and burial place of the Plantagenet kings.

Day 7: Departure
End of the tour. Departure at your leisure.