Castles of the Loire Valley, Blois to Tours – Cycling Break, France

This tour has a five day, four night itinerary.

DAY 1: Blois

Individual arrival in Blois. Check in and take time to explore the town.

DAY 2: Circular Ride from Blois to Chambord and back

After crossing the Loire and the Sologne countryside, you enter the park of Château de Chambord, 4,500 hectares of forest inhabited by deer and wild boars. The magnificent castle which was built by François I and designed by Leonardo da Vinci, is well worth a visit. Return to the hotel through the forest of Boulogne.

Approx distance: 24 to 27 miles (38 to 42 km)

DAY 3: From Blois to Amboise via Chaumont

Follow the banks of the river Loire to Château de Chaumont. Built by Pierre d’Amboise on a cliff overlooking the Loire, it was subsequently purchased by Catherine de Medici. She sent Diana of Poitiers here for revenge and kept Chenonceau for herself. Continue along the river Loire to arrive in Amboise, a picturesque town on the left bank. Visit the castle located on a rocky outcrop overlooking the city and Clos-Luce, the home of Leonardo da Vinci. The museum here exhibits models of da Vinci’s inventions. Full scale models are setup in the park allowing you to interact and directly experience these fabulous machines. 

Approx distance: 27 miles (43 km)

DAY 4: Amboise to Tours via Chenonceau

Cycle through the Amboise Forest from the valley of the river Loire to the valley of the river Cher, to reach Château de Chenonceau, so-called "of the two queens", Diana and Catherine. This is certainly the most beautiful and the most visited castle in the region with its magnificent arches over the river. From Chenonceau, continue along the Cher through the famous vineyards of Vouvray and between the tufa cliffs that overlook the river. You will arrive in Tours, the most important city in the region. Visit of the old town, the cathedral and Place Plumereau.

Approx distance: 36 miles (57 km)

DAY 5: Individual departure after breakfast.

• Five day, four night itinerary with three days cycling.
• This tour will start in Blois and ends in Tours.

• Cat. A Hotel: Includes 4* hotels, often of a chain and in some cases not in central position. They have a lift and air conditioning, offer good comfort and some have a swimming pool.

• Cat B Hotel: Includes 2 nights in 3* and 2 nights in 2* hotels. These are small hotels often in historic buildings where there is no lift and often the rooms are not air conditioned. However, they are very welcoming, characteristic and comfortable hotels in a central position.

• From 12/07 to 22/08 this tour includes ASSISTANCE PLUS to ensure you are at ease during your bike tour, especially if this is your first bike tour experience. In addition to the classic luggage transport and emergency telephone number, we provide roadside assistance and/or recovery in case of emergency (illness, mechanical problem that cannot be repaired with the repair-kit). Simply notify us and within a short time our team member will reach you to solve the problem. If necessary you will be transported to your hotel.
• Notes: the family rooms are often composed of a double bed and a sofa bed or extra beds and rooms from 1 to 4 people are available max. Some hotels are wonderfully positioned high up on the hill and overlooking the valley. You can push the bike walking along the climb. Twin rooms with separate beds are available only sporadically. We handle requests for twin rooms as nonbinding requests. In case twin rooms are booking condition, it must be clearly communicated as such when booking!

• French Chateaux
• Historic Cities
• Loire Valley
• Nature
• Amboise
• The Tomb of Leonardo da Vinci

Getting to France:

By Rail/Bus – There are trains running between London and Blois which requires transfers.  There are buses running from Paris to Blois. Blois and Tours are connected by frequent trains

By Car – Blois can be reached by car via ferry or Eurotunnel and well-maintained motorways.

By Air – There are a limited number of flights available to Tours from Stanstead, or fly to Paris and take a bus or train.

For more information on getting to France please visit the France Tourism website.