The Royal Circuit: 5-day self-guided bike tour of the Loire Valley Castles

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Discover the majesty of the chateaux of Loire Valley  with Active Tours! Embark on an unforgettable adventure along the cycle paths of the “Loire à Vélo” or the “Pays des Châteaux”, on a trip where every push of the pedal brings you closer to treasures such as the chateaux of Chambord, Chenonceaux, Cheverny, Amboise or Blois, unveiling thier fascinating histories as you explore. Our carefully designed itinerary goes beyond exploring chateaux. You will pass through captivating landscapes, from the untamed banks of the Loire to lush forests, from rolling vineyards to picturesque villages. This is much more than a simple bike trip; it is a true escape where every kilometer covered adds a new page to a fairy tale waiting to be discovered.

Key features

  • An ideal itinerary for discovering the towns of Blois and Amboise as well as some of the most beautiful chateaux of the Loire Valley: Chenonceau, Cheverny and Chambord
  • A journey brimming with exceptional heritage
  • Cycle paths along the Loire
  • The diversity of landscapes: from the banks of the Loire to forest roads and vineyards.

Discover in video

Starting from

469€

/ pers. (based on 2 pers.)

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Duration:
5 days
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Start:
Blois
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Type:
Self-Guided
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Difficulty:
 
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Tastings:
Up to 4

Your itinerary

  • 1

    Arrival in Blois

    Your tour begins in Blois. Enjoy this first day exploring the town and its chateau, the perfect example of the architectural evolution from the Middle Ages to the 17th century.

  • 2

    Blois - Amboise

    Distance : ~40km

    The cycle paths of the Loire Valley will lead you through pretty little villages to the chateau of Chaumont-sur-Loire, proudly overlooking  the river. From there, you will continue along the “Loire à Vélo” cycle path to the charming town of Amboise and its royal chateau, home to some of the greatest Kings of France.

  • 3

    Amboise - Chenonceaux

    Distance : ~40km

    The chateau of Chenonceau will be your goal for the fourth day. To get there, you will cycle through the vineyards of Montlouis, which produce one of the excellent white wines of the region. If you wish, you can visit some of the region’s cellars. Then, you will arrive in the Cher Valley, home of the famous Chateau de Chenonceau which sits elegantly on the banks of the river Cher.

  • 4

    Chenonceaux - Cheverny

    Distance : ~50km

    You will begin this stage by following the banks of the river Cher  to the lovely medieval village of Montrichard. It is there that you will leave the Cher Valley to head towards the vineyards of Touraine. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to stop off at the chateaux of Gué Péan and Fougères-sur-Bièvre. The latter is a small fortified castle which perfectly illustrates the art of local building in the 15th century. You will end your day at a charming rural inn in Chitenay.

  • 5

    Cheverny - Blois

    Distance : ~42km

    To conclude this stay in the Loire Valley on a high note, the last day will be a colorful one. You will visit two of the most famous and magnificent chateaux of the Loire. First, you will explore the Château de  Cheverny, famous for its splendid furnished apartments; then, you will discover the prestigious Château de Chambord, a true masterpiece of the French Renaissance. The latter is immense, as demonstrated by the 440 rooms it houses.  It was built during the reign of François 1er, in the heart of a preserved natural site.

    Departure at the end of the day

Itinerary

Carte pour l'itinéraire "Châteaux de la Loire en roues libres"
Un crayon et une règle

A « homemade » experience

We offer itineraries selected by our ACTIVE TOURS team, focusing on their tourist attractions and cyclist-friendly environment, away from the hustle and bustle of the roads.

Accommodations are carefully chosen for their quality of hospitality, warm atmosphere, services, and authentic local cuisine.

The flexibility of our organization adapts to your needs and desires: you can depart on the date that suits you and select additional overnight stays where you want to extend your explorations! It’s simple! You only add to your basket the additional services you need, without paying for those you deem unnecessary.

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GPS Navigation

We provide you with a roadbook containing all the essential addresses, restaurant recommendations, tourist information, detailed maps, and a complete description of the route.

Furthermore, a free application available on your smartphone is provided for you to follow the itinerary without the risk of getting lost (bike smartphone holder provided).

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On-site assistance

All our trips include a personalized welcome on the first day of your journey. We provide you with travel documents and bikes, if you rent them with us. We offer a 24/7 telephone assistance service to meet all your needs. Luggage transfer is available as an option to perfectly adapt to your choices, whether you opt for complete autonomy or prefer to travel light with our luggage transfer service.

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Vineyard Discovery

Based in Burgundy, immersed from a young age in the intoxicating aromas of fermentations; we invite you to come and discover ancestral cellars to experience the local essence and grasp the uniqueness of each vineyard. All our itineraries offer optional local wine tourism experiences that will leave you enriched with unforgettable memories. As a bonus, perhaps a few bottles to enjoy at home, allowing you to relive the moments of your vacation.

OPTIONAL :

Add the following options for peace of mind :

  • Classic bike rental: 129 €/bike
  • Electric bike rental: 207 €/bike
  • Luggage transfer: 394€ for 4 luggage
  • Half-board: 226€/person
Example of accomodation in Blois

Right in the center of Blois, this hotel with rooms decorated with comic strip drawings promises a night of escape.

Example of accomodation in Amboise

In the heart of Amboise, enjoy the positive energy of this colorful hotel.

Example of accomodation in Chenonceaux

A stone's throw from the Château de Chenonceaux, this building welcomes you with authenticity, charm and generosity. Enjoy the restaurant!

Classic bike

Vélo classique

Bike features:

  • Aluminum frame for men and women
  • Shimano 24-speed derailleurs
  • Hydraulic disks brakes

Supplied equipment with the bike:

  • 1 back pannier
  • 1 handlebar pannier
  • 1 repair kit
  • 1 pump
  • 1 lock
  • 1 helmet

Electric bike

Vélo Electrique

Bike Features:

  • Aluminum Frame
  • Bosch Power Tube Smart System engine, 625W battery
  • Shimano 11-speed derailleur
  • Hydraulic disk brakes

Supplied equipment with the bike:

  • 1 back pannier
  • 1 Handlebar pannier
  • 1 repair kit
  • 1 pump
  • 1 bike lock
  • 1 smartphone holder
  • Bosch charger

THE VINEYARD

Just like every other French vineyard region, the Loire also has its own “Route des Vins”. You can bike along the banks of the Val de Loire river that will lead you through the heart of noble, ancestral vineyards. Indeed, the vineyards of the Loire valley were created some 2000 years ago by the Romans. However, its rise in popularity can be attributed to Henri II Plantagenet, the Count of Anjou who became king of England in 1154 and served Anjou wines to the Court: a tradition still perpetuated today by his ancestors!
When the Kings of France decided to establish themselves in the Val de Loire, they also served and tasted the wines of Anjou and Touraine.

The  Loire valley wine route is the longest in France and the vineyards of the Loire Valley  make it France’s  third largest winegrowing region. With more than 800km of paths, the Val de Loire offers eclectic wine and cycling experiences tailored to all tastes! Enjoy a tasting in the heart of a troglodyte cave, discover local specialities, picnic at a winemaker’s and admire street art in the middle of a wine cellar. Thanks to their dynamism, these wine tourism events have became a real tradition!
Every year, at the beginning of September, you can take part in the Vignes Vins Randos (Vines Wines, Hikes) event, which takes place around Nantes, Angers and Saumur. For three hours, you’ll wander through vineyards meeting passionate wine producers and locals in a friendly, musical atmosphere.

OPTIONAL

During your trip, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the wines of the region through vineyard tours and tastings in the local wineries.

Book up to 5 tastings along your itinerary !

From 12€ to 33€ per person depending on the tour and the number of wines tasted.

Practical information

Bike delivery: At your hotel in Blois

How to get to Blois?

  • By car: On the  A10 highway take exit n°17 “Blois”. Then follow “Blois Centre Ville”By train : Paris Gare d’Austerlitz to Gare de Blois. For more information, check the SNCF website: www.sncf.com
  • By plane :From Roissy CDG airport : Gare Roissy Charles de Gaulle T.2 to Gare de de St Pierre des Corps (high speed train) then to Gare de Blois (by train)
  • RER B  From the center of Paris  ‘Chatelet Les Halles’ station take the Metro line 1 and  line 10 to  Gare d’Austerlitz then the train to Gare de Blois
  • From Tours airport : Transfer by taxi or tram  Terminus Vaucanson station line A to  Gare de Tours then Gare de Blois
  • From Nantes airport : Transfer by taxi or TAN shuttle : train from Gare de Nantes to Gare de Blois

This price includes

  • 4 nights accommodation
  • 4 breakfasts
  • Tourist taxes
  • Detailed itinerary, maps and tourist information
  • GPS app + Road Book
  • Our round-the-clock helpline in the event of a problem

This price does not include

  • Transfer of luggage from hotel to hotel
  • Bike rental
  • Lunches and dinners
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Suggested activities

Are you interested in this trip?

As easy as pushing a pedal!
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