The route isn’t very challenging, aside from a few hilly sections that require good physical fitness and some practice. You’ll mainly be cycling on bike paths, low-traffic paved roads, and short gravel roads

Terrain: 80% paved, 20% unpaved; train connections between the stage locations on days 4, 5, 6, and 7. You can shorten the stage by taking the train on days 2, 4, 5, and 6.

Individual arrival in Orléans, hometown of Jeanne d’Arc.

You’ll cycle along the Loire, partly on bike paths and partly on roads with little traffic. After touring Meung-sur-Loire, you’ll reach Château Dunois and the beautiful medieval center of Beaugency. You’ll continue cycling through a landscape characterized by water and rural culture, which will lead you to the small and charming town of St. Dyé, an old river port.

From the vast park surrounding the Château de Chambord with its 380 chimneys, you’ll continue cycling along the edge of the Forest of Boulogne. Here, across the Loire River, spanned by a beautiful bridge, the silhouette of the city of Blois comes into view, featuring the château, the spires of the abbey, and the Cathedral of St. Louis. A shorter 25-km route is also available.

After touring the town of Blois with its imposing castle, you’ll cycle along the Loire until you reach the Château de Chaumont, which was built on a hill on the riverbank. From there, you’ll continue along the left bank of the river to Amboise. Here you can visit another castle and the home of Leonardo da Vinci, where he spent the last three years of his life.

Another unforgettable day on the bike! Riding through the Amboise Forest, you’ll reach Chenonceau, the “Castle of the Three Ladies,” with its beautiful gardens that magnificently frame a bend in the Cher River. This river will accompany you all the way to the city of Tours, with the option to stop at the Nitray Estate and its wine cellars. A shorter route (30 km), which does not pass through Chenonceau, is also available.

From Tours, you’ll cycle along the beautiful bike path to the Château de Villandry, famous for its gardens spread across three different levels. You’ll then continue along the Loire River to the charming town of Langeais, where you can take a break. Afterward, you’ll cycle on to Ussè, home to the “Sleeping Beauty” castle. Finally, you’ll reach the town of Chinon.

The route winds along small country roads, passing the confluence of the Loire and Vienne rivers. You’ll arrive in Savigny-en-Véron and the small, beautiful village of Candes-Saint-Martin. Not far from here, the Château de Montsoreau awaits you. From here, you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view. Passing through the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud (an 11-km detour), you’ll reach Saumur, the pearl of Anjou.

Individual departure or extension.