3 days biking in the heart of the greatest Loire Valley castles
- 3 days / 3 days riding
- / ref. L26
- / Difficulty Easy
- / Linear trip
Your cycling tour in the Loire Valley, from Blois to Amboise:
Let’s go for a 3 days ride in the « Chateaux Country » area where the cycling paths will lead you from prestigious chateaux to impressive forests, passing via the Loire river banks and beautiful vineyards.
Your cycling stages will bring you from Blois to Chambord, Chenonceaux and Amboise … all the greatest chateaux of the Loire Valley!
Tour highlights
- The main châteaux of the Loire Valley: Chambord, Chenonceaux, Chaumont, etc...
- The landscapes’ alternation: the Loire river banks, forest paths and vineyards
- The city of Amboise
Day 1 Arrival in Blois and Excursion to Chambord | 40 km (option Cheverny + 26 km)
Discover the charming town of Blois, as you stroll along its paved streets punctuated with staircases, and the château, a perfect illustration of how French architecture evolved between the Middle Ages and the 17th century.
To discover the town and all its secrets, you can follow our “Blois Discovery Walk”, available via our app.
For your first bike excursion, follow the banks of the Loire river and then continue through the rich Domaine de Chambord forest, where a stop is essential to visit the most famous and majestic château of the Loire Valley. In its Renaissance splendour, the Château de Chambord boasts no less than 440 rooms. You can also explore its 5433-hectare (13425-acre) park, before setting off again along the country paths towards Blois.
Possibility to reach the Château de Cheverny, remarkable for its sumptuously furnished and decorated apartments, which inspired Hergé’s vision of Marlinspike in the adventures of Tintin!
RandoVélo
Free visit of the chateau, the Renaissance Splendour built for the glory of François Ist. Chambord boasts 440 rooms and 282 chimneys, it’s the most impressive and prestigious from the Loire Valley. And take time to enjoy the new French style gardens.
Day 2 Blois - Amboise | 42 km
Leave the charming town of Blois and its old quarters following the “Loire à vélo” cycling paths towards the castle of Chaumont sur Loire. Not to be missed: The International Garden Festival which takes place in the vast park of the Estate. An absolute laboratory for the contemporary creation, where the world famous designers challenge their originality. Then go on, between vineyards and Loire river, to reach Amboise where lived the greatest Kings of France and the genius Leonardo Da Vinci the last three years of his life!
C. Diaz
Free chateau entrance which proudly dominates the town and the river and where Catherine de Médicis queen lived.
Follow on your visit discovering the extraordinary International Garden Festival. It’s a real laboratory for contemporary gardens where many landscape creators challenge their imagination with originality.
ADT37 – JC Coutand
Vary the pleasures and treat yourself a new way to discover all the wealth that the Loire river can offer. From your canoe, peacefully tame the last wild river in Europe and admire extraordinary views of its fauna and flora, combined with an incomparable feeling of being far from civilization.
Day 3 Excursion to Chenonceaux | 45 km
Last bike excursion to the famous Château de Chenonceau, straddling the Cher river, and which was the scene of a famous rivalry in French history: that of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici.
Departure at the end of the stage.
Possibility to book an extra night in Amboise.
F-Charel – CRT centre
Take your time to discover this estate named “Chateau des dames” where reigns elegance and the French way of life. Renaissance masterpiece with architecture unique in the world straddling the Cher River. Don’t miss to visit the flower gardens which was the scene of a famous rivalry in French History: that of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medicis.
Extra night in Amboise + bike stage Amboise – Tours | 26 km or 33 km
Possibility to extend your bike tour by crossing the vineyards of Montlouis discover the numerous cellars producing the region’s famous sweet white and sparkling wines. Then reach the city of Tours to discover the old neighbourhood with its typical half-timbered houses.
Departure at the end of the day.
Possibility to book an extra night in Tours (please consult us).
The little extra with Biking France (optional):
- Private return transfer from Amboise to Blois – (on request).
- Our « Visit Package », with entrance fees to
. Domaine de Chambord (chateau & gardens)
. château de Chenonceaux
. Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire (château + Garden Festival)
Documents
> Download tour programSelect your category
Your accommodation
• 2 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 3 days
•
A personalized travel app, including all your cycling stages as well as tourist and practical information
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (2 nights included)
•
Transfer from Amboise to Blois and personal bike repatriation
• 2 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 3 days
•
A personalized travel app, including all your cycling stages as well as tourist and practical information
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (2 nights included)
•
Transfer from Amboise to Blois and personal bike repatriation
• 2 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 3 days
•
A personalized travel app, including all your cycling stages as well as tourist and practical information
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (2 nights included)
•
Transfer from Amboise to Blois and personal bike repatriation
from 3 to 11 years old : - 20%
from 12 to 15 years old : - 10%
(Children's discounts only apply when triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by at least 2 people paying the full rate)
VTC GITANE bike - 21 speed gears
(bike included in this tour)
A bike that favors an upright, comfortable position, ideal for leisure riding.
OPEN frame, until 1m83
CLOSED frame, from 1m83
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 front pannier with a map holder
- 1 repair kit
- 1 smartphone holder
- 1 lock
- 1 bottle cage
Helmet not provided.
SCOTT Sub Sport 20 - 27 speed gears
A “sport” bike that favors a more athletic position and riding style.
OPEN frame, until 1m83
CLOSED frame, from 1m83
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 front pannier with a map holder
- 1 repair kit
- 1 smartphone holder
- 1 lock
- 1 bottle cage
Helmet not provided.
MOUSTACHE e-bike
OPEN frame
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 front pannier with a map holder
- 1 repair kit
- 1 smartphone holder
- 1 lock
Helmet not provided.
(These models of e-bikes may be replaced by another one, similar)
Equipment & Bike for children
We provide bikes and equipment for children such as :
- children’s bike
(from 16 to 24 inches – from 1,05m to 1,45m / from 3’5’’ to 4’9’’)
- “follow-me” tandem
(for children from 5 to 8 years old – about 1,05m / 1,30m – from 3’5’’ to 4’4’’)
The “follow-me” is a clever coupling device that allows you to attach the child’s bike to your bike with ease. It can be removed easily to let the child ride alone.
- trailer
(for baby or 25 kg maximum children)
- baby seat
(for baby or 22 kg maximum children, fixed on the rear rack)
Practical details
Bikes will be delivered at our shop.
At the end of the tour, leave the rental bikes at our partner, we will pick them up.
Your travel app
You’ll have personalized access to our travel app, which you can download onto your smartphone.
This app includes all your cycling stages, tourist and practical content, as well as your accommodation. The application will guide you along your route, like a GPS, during your cycling stages.
If you would like a printed version of the roadbook (including color maps of your stages), please let us know when you book your trip. It will be provided at your first accommodation.
Your journey
Tour description
Mix of cycling paths or signposted routes for cyclists (about 80%) and small traffic roads.
Bike stages trip profiles
(click below to see the trip profile of each stage)
Excursion to Chambord : 40km / elevation gain: 208m / elevation loss: 208m
Excursion to Chambord & Cheverny : 66km / elevation gain: 388m / elevation loss: 391m
Blois – Amboise : 42km / elevation gain: 200m / elevation loss: 211m
Excursion à Chenonceaux : 45km / elevation gain: 343m / elevation loss: 338m
How to arrive in Blois
By train
From Paris Austerlitz train station >> Blois train station (about 1h30 by train).
For more information, do not hesitate to visit : www.sncf.fr
By plane
- From Roissy CDG airport:
– Roissy Charles de Gaulle T.2 train station >> St Pierre des Corps train station (by TGV train) >> Blois train station (by regular train).
– RER B >> Paris centre – stop ‘Chatelet Les Halles >> Metro line 1 + line 10 >> Paris Austerlitz train station >> Blois train station.
www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passengers/access/paris-charles-de-gaulle/public-transport
www.transilien.com/en
www.ratp.fr/en/plans-lignes
- From Orly airport:
– Taxi transfer to Paris Austerlitz train station >> Blois train station.
– Bus shuttle (Orly Bus) : from Orly Sud > > Paris centre – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 6 + line 5 >> Austerlitz train station >> Blois train station.
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlybus.php
– Orly Val (automatic metro) >> Paris – stop ‘Antony’ >> RER B – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 6 + line 5 >> Austerlitz train station >> Blois train station.
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlyval.php
- From Beauvais airport:
– Taxi transfer to Paris Austerlitz train station >> Blois train station
– Bus shuttle >> Paris – stop ‘Porte Maillot’ >> >> Metro line 1 + line 10 >> Paris Austerlitz train station >> Blois train station.
www.aeroportparisbeauvais.com/en/acces-et-transports/navettes/
- From Tours airport:
– Taxi transfer or TRAM (tramway – from stop « Terminus Vaucanson ») line A >> Tours train station >> Blois train station.
www.tours.aeroport.fr/gp/Parking-and-Transport/309
- From Nantes airport:
-Taxi transfer or Bus shuttle « TAN » : Nantes train station >> Blois train station.
www.tan.fr/fr/menu/se-deplacer/tan/navette-aeroport/
Return
If you have to come back to the start point:
- This return can be carry out by RandoVelo/Biking France (please contact us).
- A return transfer by train is possible and organised on your own. Please visit: www.sncf.fr
Plan to go to the train station with your luggage (and your potential own bike)
(Personal bike return costs are on your responsibility.)
– Amboise train Station >> Blois train Station (about 20 minutes by train).
– Amboise >> Blois (by taxi).
If you have to return to Paris (city centre) / Paris Airports:
- This return can be carry out by RandoVelo/Biking France.
- A return transfer by train is possible and organised on your own. Please visit: www.sncf.fr
Plan to go to the train station with your luggage (and your potential own bike)
(Personal bike return costs are on your responsibility)
– Amboise train Station >> Paris Austerlitz train station (by train).
– Amboise train Station >> >> Saint Pierre des Corps train Station (by train) >> Paris Montparnasse train station (by TGV train).
– Amboise train Station >> Saint Pierre des Corps train Station (by train) >> Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV Station (by TGV train).
Nearby Airport:
– Tours Airport : www.tours.aeroport.fr/home
Trip overall rating : / 12 testimonials
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« Fantastic trip »Neal Etats-Unis« We had a great time. You bike through the most beautiful country side and see amazing castles. It is a well ... »
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« Wonderful »Mary Etats-Unis« This was a wonderful way to experience the French countryside with my son. The villages that we visited were ... »
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« Perfect journey »Jennifer Etats-Unis« We enjoyed our trip tremendously! It was the perfect journey through the Loire Valley for three adults and an ... »
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« Splendid cycling trip »Karen South Africa« Rando Velo arranged a splendid cycling trip for my daughter and myself. We loved the French country side, ... »
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« Rando idéale »Jean-Pierre France« Une randonnée idéale en ce début de septembre avec encore des belles journées mais moins de monde. »
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« Super organisation. »Aldine Suisse« Enchantées de notre séjour de 3 jours en vélo sur la route des châteaux de la Loire. Magnifique région. ... »
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« A great trip to do »Abraham Mexico« Everthing was perfect »
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« L’organisation est parfaite! »Florence France« Des vacances en vélo sans tracas, tout est parfaitement organisé ! Les vélos électriques sont excellents ... »
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« Très bien »Anne-Marie France« C’était un voyage très agréable ,bien organisé. Nous n’avons pas été déçu. »
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« Belle randonnée à vélo »Josette France« Très beau voyage. Belle réactivité car j’ai demandé le voyage le dimanche pour le vendredi suivant. ... »
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« Un moment inoubliable »Madeleine France« Merci à toute l’équipe de Randovélo – nous avons passé un moment inoubliable. »
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« Highly recommended! »Claudia USA« This is a fantastic way to see the Loire Valley–at your own pace, and passing through small towns and ... »
