Castles of the Loire Valley

“La Route Royale”

map Castles of the Loire Valley

Route

Tour profile / level 1-2

The route takes you through gently rolling countryside with only a few climbs, although a certain level of basic fitness willl enable you to enjoy the countryside and its many attractions. The route runs mainly along cycle paths, service roads and quiet side roads.

Day 1: Tours

Individual arrival in Tours, in the historical centre of Touraine.

Day 2: Tours – Chinon, approx. 61 km

The river Cher takes you on your way to Castle Villandry with its terraced gardens. Don’t miss the chance to visit the famous gardens! The shady paths, arbours decorated with flowers, fountains and the artistically arranged vegetable garden will impress even the most critical visitor. A few kilometres further on your route takes you from the banks of the Cher for to the banks of the Loire, where the next castle, Castle Langeais, awaits you. The fortified tower [this castle was used exclusively for military purposes] has a commaning view of the river and the surrounding countryside. At the edge of the dark, mysterious forest of Chinon lies Castle Ussé - "The Sleeping-Beauty-Castle". Your journey continues along small villages and along side roads to Chinon.

Day 3: Roundtrip Fontevraud l’Abbaye, approx. 55 - 69 km

Today you reach the village of Candes-Saint-Martin. At the spot where Saint Martin died a splendid Romanesque church was built. In Montsoreau the Vienne joins the mighty Loire – an impressive natural spectacle! Your journey continues through well-tended vineyards to Fontevraud l’Abbaye. Nowhere else in the world will you encounter such an extensive, well-preserved medieval monastery as in Fontevraud. The return journey to Chinon takes you along literary paths. On the way you pass the birthplace of the famous author Francois Rabelais, as well as cycling through the valley which was the setting for his famous work, "Gargantua".

Day 4: Chinon – Azay-le-Rideau, approx. 36 km

You leave Chinon with its medieval alleys, and continue northwards. The route takes you through ancient vineyards and isolated villages to Crissay, which, with its 15th-century-houses, is one of the most beautiful villages in France. Today’s route also includes a castle, one of the finest. Azay–le-Rideau – the perfect Renaissance-castle! Balzac described it as "a diamond with a thousand facets, set in the river Indre". What more is there to say? You spend the night here, directly in the village, and have the opportunity to enjoy the magic of the castle with its impressive cultural events.

Day 5: Azay-le-Rideau – Chenonceaux, approx. 59 km

Today’s journey includes a scenic highlight: through the romantic river scenery along the Indre, you come to the lovely small town of Montbazon. There is a short climb to overcome, over a ridge to the valley of the river Cher. You continue along meadow paths beside the Cher towards the village of Bléré, and on to your overnight accommodation in the historical town of Chenonceaux. The castle of Chenonceaux is the most spectacular of all the Loire castles, and is located in an unique position, with a two-storey gallery spanning the river, and with the impressive castle gardens stretching out in front of it.

Day 6: Chenonceaux – Blois, approx. 76 km

Today you cylce along many Loire castles: via Montrichard, Cheverny, Villesavine to Castle Chambord. The "Domaine de Chambord" extends as far as the eye can see. The walls of the largest and most magnificent residence in the Loire are visible through the trees from far away – the immortal legacy of a disloyal king. The choice is yours!

Day 7: Blois – Tours, approx. 71 km

The river flows gently between golden, shimmering sandbanks. A characteristic feature of this region are the cliff dwellings, built into the soft limestone, so that the only evidence of their existence was the smoke rising from their fires. You cross the Loire to visit the king of all castles – Castle Amboise. It hosted five kings and a Roman emperor. A genius of the 16th century – Leonardo da Vinci – also spent his last years here. Along hidden paths and through vineyards and past wine-cellars, you cycle through Rochecorbon towards Tours.

Day 8: Tours

C’est la vie – today your journey to the castles of the Loire has come to an end! One more substantial breakfast, then it’s time to say goodbye to one of the most charming, delightful regions of France. If you prefer to extend your holiday, we would be delighted to book accommodation for you!

Services

  • 7 nights in room with private facilities

  • Daily breakfast

  • Personal information talk

  • Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel

  • GPS Data on request

  • Maps and information material per room

Dates & Prices

Dates

Merkmale

    Season / Period
    Type
    S1   15.03. - 24.04.25
    Category A
    S2   25.04. - 26.06.25
    Category A
    S3   28.06. - 31.08.25
    Category A
    S2   01.09. - 20.09.25
    Category A
    S1   21.09. - 30.10.25
    Category A
    S1   15.03. - 24.04.25
    Category B
    S2   25.04. - 26.06.25
    Category B
    S3   28.06. - 31.08.25
    Category B
    S2   01.09. - 20.09.25
    Category B
    S1   21.09. - 30.10.25
    Category B

    Extras

    Discounts extra bed in double room with 2 full paying adults
    0-1,99 years -100%
    2-11,99 years -50%
    12-17,99 years -10%
     
    Bicycle & equipment
    21-speed-bike 160
    E-bike* 260
    Bike helmet rental 9
    phone attachement 9
       
    Additional night Tours
    Cat. B (dbl/sgl) 70/118
    Cat. A (dbl/sgl) 70/118

    *For e-bike rental a deposit of € 250 by credit card is required upon arrival


    Best - Price - Guarantee

    If you would verifiably receive better conditions and/or prices from another tour operator at the time of booking we guarantee at least the same conditions PLUS 1 handlebar bag for FREE!
    All prices per person in EUR

    Accommodation

    Hotel samples

    Category A

    These are comfortable hotels of national 3-4* category. We have reserved comfortable rooms with bath or shower/WC. Our hotels are a mixture of the charming and the modern, and in selecting them we placed particular emphasis on high quality cuisine. Most of the hotels are situated in the town centre.

    Tours: Grand Hôtel de Tours****
    Chinon: Hôtel Plantagenet***
    Azay-le-Rideau: Hôtel Grand Monarque****
    Chenonceaux: Hôtel La Roseraie***
    Blois: Hôtel Le Monarque***


    Category B

    These are hotels of national 2-3*category. We have reserved comfortable rooms with shower/WC. When selecting our hotels we placed particular emphasis on pleasant and personal service.

    Tours: Hôtel Mirabeau**
    Chinon:  Hôtel Agnès Sorel**
    Azay-le-Rideau: Hôtel des Chateaux***
    Chenonceaux: Hôtel Le Relais de Chenonceaux**
    Blois: Hôtel Louise de Savoie**


    Note: Please be informed that these are hotel samples and therefore subject to alteration! Find Your final hotel bookings at Your hotel list after/at booking.

    Bicycle

    Bicycles inclusive panniers

    You can choose between the following bikes with 28" tires in different frame dimensions for ladies and gents.

    • 21-speed bikes
    • E-bikes

    All bikes are equipped with a rear rack pannier (saddle bag) and a handlebar bag/room.


    E-bikes | Pedelecs

    With an electro bike every bike tour is a breeze! The shiftable, low noise electric drive of our modern E-bike relieves you of some of the work and increases the pedal force up to 3 times ... Acclivity can be handled easily.
    Please note that it won’t be possible to fix the handlebar bags on some of our E-Bikes.


    Bicycle breakdowns

    Breakdowns can happen even with new wheels and by best servicing. Should a repair not be possible, please contact our service number! In a few hotels/guest houses we have some bikes on stock if you need to change them during the trip.


    Private bicycles

    You are welcome to bring your own bicycle. It is adapted especially to your needs. Do not forget to bring a repair kit with all necessary tools such as: keys, spare tube and lock. Please check all functions of your bicycle carefully upon arrival.

    Useful

    Arrival - Parking - Departure

    Arrival by plane

    Airport: Paris/Charles de Gaulle (CDG). Good plane connections, also cheap economy flights; good connections by train to Tours (about 250 km).


    Arrival by car

    Parking: Public parking garage approx.. € 50,- a week. No reservation necessary, fee to be paid directly to the hotel.


    Arrival by train

    Train station: Train ride from Paris.Change trains in Paris (you will have to go by Underground to another station; therefore it is not possible to take your bike with you). Get off at "Tours-Centre" station. We recommend to take a taxi to the hotel (2 km). Cost is approx. € 10,-

    Current train  connections and prices you will find >>here

    Videos

    Travel stories

    4,4 of 6 Stars | 12
    The route was great and had all the facilities and signs. The enviroment and landscapes were Superb...E.S. 08/18
    4,5 06.10.2023 | Johan E. Castles of the Loire Valley

    Loire 2023

    Not quite up to the standard we've been used to from Rad und Reisen We’ve travelled with Rad und Reisen several times before and been very satisfied. This time (’’Castles of the Loire Valley’’, starting on 8 September 2023) we weren't quite so happy. ...
    • Overall satisfaction 3
    • Booking handling 6
    • Travel documents 6
    • Per-Tour information 5
    • Accomodation 3
    • Board 3
    • Luggage transport 6
    • Route description 5
    • On-site assistance 6
    • Route-character 5
    • Bicycle + equipment 3
    • Price-performance ratio 3
    more
    4,6 12.09.2023 | EYAL E. Castles of the Loire Valley

    Loire 2023

    At beginning of tour I got child bicycle, France A Velo, changed it in 945am ,in the first day of riding, so I got woman bike and I could ride❗️ Only Hotel Grand Monarque was excellent, the others were disappointing.
    • Overall satisfaction 3
    • Booking handling 5
    • Travel documents 5
    • Per-Tour information 6
    • Accomodation 3
    • Board 4
    • Luggage transport 6
    • Route description 5
    • Route-character 6
    • Bicycle + equipment 5
    • Price-performance ratio 3
    more
    5,3 18.07.2023 | Johan S. Castles of the Loire Valley

    Enjoyable cycle

    along the Loire River
    • Overall satisfaction 5
    • Booking handling 5
    • Travel documents 6
    • Per-Tour information 5
    • Accomodation 5
    • Board 5
    • Luggage transport 6
    • Route description 6
    • On-site assistance 5
    • Route-character 6
    • Bicycle + equipment 4
    • Price-performance ratio 5
    more
    6,0 05.08.2021 | Renee W. Castles of the Loire Valley

    Loire Castles 2021

    • Booking handling 6
    • Travel documents 6
    • Per-Tour information 6
    • Accomodation 6
    • Board 6
    • Luggage transport 6
    • Route description 6
    • On-site assistance 6
    • Route-character 6
    • Bicycle + equipment 6
    • Price-performance ratio 6
    more
    load more travel stories

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