Family bike trip to the Chateaux of the Loire valley
Ride a big loop from Blois to Chambord, from Cheverny to Chaumont sur Loire
© David Darrault - CRT Centre Val de Loire
Duration
4 days and 3 nights
Level
Easy
Departure date
From March 14th to October 30th
Trip type
Self-guided trip
Travelling loopKey features
- Routes accessible to all on small roads
- Many landscaped greenways
- The most beautiful castles in the valley: Chambord, Cheverny, Blois
- The Chaumont sur Loire Garden Festival
- Departure and end of stay in Blois
Family bike trip to the Chateaux of the Loire valley
A breathtaking journey between forest and river to discover the most beautiful castles of the Loire. Departing from Blois with a return to Blois, you set off to explore the land of castles as a family.
The land of castles by bike is a perfect destination for families on bicycle. Made up of a network of cycle paths, greenways and roads dedicated to cyclists, the land ofcastles by bike allows you to explore the Loire by Bike castles in complete safety. To the delight of families on bicycle, there are no hills! Indeed, the land of castles by bike is flat and therefore makes your cycling days even easier!
The land of castles by bike opens its doors to you with beautiful and pleasant bike rides. You cross the typical and well-marked Loire by Bike routes between forests, fields and castles of the Renaissance. The chirping of birds and the lapping of the Loire river cheerfully accompany you. Upon entering the castles, you meet the salamanders of François I, Tintin, and walk the famous spiral staircases of Leonardo da Vinci. These visits tell a story about the great History of France which will no longer hold any secrets for you.
The family trip to the land of castles takes you to the famous castles of Chambord and Cheverny, but also the gardens of Chaumont sur Loire and many charming villages such as Bracieux and Cour Cheverny.
Itinerary
Easy From BRACIEUX to CHEVERNY 17km 45m 
This stage takes you to Cheverny, where its famous castle awaits you! Historical monument, it was built in the 17th century, in a very classic style. Let yourself be amazed by its 4 gardens that will enchant your visit.
From CHEVERNY to CHAUMONT-SUR-LOIRE 25km 77m
Along the Loire, you take the road to Chaumont-sur-Loire and its castle which hosts the international garden festival every year. Built at the end of the XVth century, it shows the colors of the early Renaissance.
From CHAUMONT-SUR-LOIRE to BLOIS 23km 84m
You ride up the Loire until reaching the peaceful Cosson and its beautifully wooded cycle path which offers a quiet retreat for local families and friends riding for a short afternoon ride. You end up joining the Loire river which offers from its left bank a breathtaking view of the city of Blois half-timbered houses with Tuffeau stones (sort of local limestone) and slate roofs.
They travelled with us
Practical information
Essential Range with family rooms
The price is based on one family room for 4 people, 2 adults and 2 kids., please contact us if you need another type of rooms. Free for young children (0-2 years) with a baby bed in the room.You are accommodated in 2 and 3 star hotels located in the countryside in the villages of Bracieux and Chitenay. For your night in Chaumont sur Loire, you are at the foot of the entrance to the castle!
Starting from 540€/adult in Self Guided option | See detailed prices
Comfort range in Family room
The price is based on one family room for 4 people, 2 adults and 2 kids., please contact us if you need another type of rooms. Free for young children (0-2 years) with a baby bed in the room.You are accommodated in 2 and 3 star hotels located in the countryside in the villages of Bracieux and Chitenay. For your night in Chaumont sur Loire, you are at the foot of the entrance to the castle!
Starting from 598€/adult in Self Guided option | See detailed prices
Privilege Range
Opt for total comfort in charming 3 and 4 star hotels which offer all the services you need and a special welcome for you and your bikes.
Quote on request | Contact us
Price includes
- Accommodation: 3 nights in a Family 4 participants room
- 3 breakfasts
- 1 dinner
- Luggage transfer
- Phone assistance 7/7
- Access to our exclusive travel application to follow your route, inform you about places of interest, restaurants, facilitate your assistance in case of emergency, find all your travel documents and our practical advice.
- Application fee
- Taxes
- The itinerary trackable on the following supports:
- Loan of a Bicycle GPS uploaded with full itinerary of the trip
- Cycling practical guide including restaurant recommendations for lunch & dinner and the maps
- Day 1 : A personalized greeting with our team at the beginning of the trip to receive your travel documents
Price does not include
- Bike rental (see option)
- Breakfast on day 1
- Lunches
- Dinners not included in "Price includes"
- Drinks, visits & other personal expenses
Homemade and fully tested itineraries
- Routes selected for their cycling and touristic interest entirely tested and away from traffic
- Accomodations selected for their hospitality, atmosphere, services and quality meals
- A flexible organisation to suit you needs and wishes: You choose the date you want to you leave on! We check the availability of each accomodation to make sure it is possible.
Close assistance
- One of our guides greets you on your first day. He will hand out all the needed documents for the trip (hotel vouchers, maps of the area,GPS, practical guide), get you settled on your bikes (for rental bikes).
- Phone assistance, you can reach the Abicyclette team whenever you need
- A Luggage transfer service which respects your hours of rest (we pick them up after 10:00 and deliver them before 16:00)
Follow your itinerary anyway you like – modern, practical, traditional
- We loan you a GPS so that you can easily follow your itinerary without having to look for your way around (bike support included)
- Access to our exclusive travel application to follow your route, inform you about places of interest, restaurants, facilitate your assistance in case of emergency, find all your travel documents and our practical advice.
- A practical cycling guide with all the useful information (addresses, highlights for the day, topo maps, and touristic information)
You can also
- Rent a high end quality bike for real comfort, cycling pleasure and reliability a long trip requires.
- Suscribe to a Cancelation or Multi Risk insurance policy which cover you in case something unexpected comes up.
On our guided tours (for groups on demand), we accompany you every step of the way
- One of our state qualified instructor and professional cycling guide accompanies you every step of the way
- Full board (all meals covered unless asked otherwise)
- A picnic buffet set up for lunch with a wide choice of fresh and local produce
We offer a high-end bike rental service. Our bikes are suited for road and gravel road long-distance cycling. Fully equipped and highly reliable, they are faithful travel companions.
Our rentals include a "breakage and theft guarantee" for peace of mind when travelling. Information and details from your advisor.
Trekking bikeA layed out and dynamic position Mixed aluminium frame, telescopic fork. Straight handlebars. Disc brakes. Drivetrain Shimano 11 to 30 speeds (single, double or triple crankset). Supplied equipment per bike
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Touring bikeAn upright and easy going position Mixed aluminum frame, telescopic fork. Straight handlebars. Disc brakes. Shimano 11 to 30 speed transmission (single, double or triple crankset depending on the model). Supplied equipment per bike
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EbikeWith an autonomy of almost 120km, cycling has never been so easy! Supplied equipment per bike
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Children BikeRecommended bike size (to be confirmed when booking) :
Supplied equipment per bike
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Bike trailerThule Chariot Cross 2 Supplied equipment per bike
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Gravel BikeA versatile bike brimming with qualities: maneuverability, lightness, versatility, elegance. Aluminum frame, carbon fork and steerer tube, Shimano GRX 400 derailleur, double chainrings, 11 speeds. Hydraulics disc brakes. Luggage-rack (not in photo) Weight: 10.50 kg Supplied equipment per bike
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Getting here
Departure city : BLOIS
Coming by car
- at 2h from PARIS
- at 4h from BORDEAUX
- at 4h30 from LYON
Coming by train
- Blois train station - 1h30 from Paris
Coming by plane
- Tours airport
Taxi : 45 min
Arrival city : BLOIS
Coming by car
- at 2h from PARIS
- at 4h from BORDEAUX
- at 4h30 from LYON
Coming by train
- Blois train station - 1h30 from Paris
Coming by plane
- Tours airport
Taxi : 45 min
*Parking: Since many of our clients travel by train or plane, we do not include parking in our packages. In addition, many accommodations don’t have the capacity to park a vehicle for the duration of your cycling vacation. So if you’re planning to arrive by car, we suggest you check parking options when you make your reservation. If you reserve a parking space at the first or last accommodation of your stay, you must pay the accommodation provider on site.
* Abicyclette Voyages accompanies you on demand, including transportation solutions.
Recommended equipment
Bike
- Hybrid Bike or Touring Bike or Gravel Bike
- 18 to 30-speed transmission
- 26- to 29-inch wheels
- Tires: 35 to 42 section, reinforced against punctures
- Disc brakes recommended
- 2 bottle cages
- Bell
- Front and rear lighting
Clothing and equipment
- Helmet (supplied with bike rental unless otherwise specified locally)
- 1 bike mount for smartphone to use the mobile route planner application
- Suitable cycling clothing:
- bib, shorts or tights: elastic and breathable, to facilitate movement and wick away perspiration
- Breathable T-shirts, synthetic or merino wool
- Breathable windbreaker
- Thermal or fleece jacket
- Waterproof jacket
- 1 pair of sunglasses
- 1 pair of cycling shoes
- 1 backpack or 1 or 2 carrier bags (1 carrier bag supplied with bike rental)
- 1 or 2 water bottles (supplied with bike rental in France)
- 1 lock (supplied with bike rental)
- Technical details, recommended by the team for optimum comfort:
- 1 pair of gloves or mittens, depending on season and destination
- Padded bib (chamois)
- High-visibility vest or fluorescent belt
- Neck warmer and cap
Bike maintenance
- Emergency repair kit: 2 or 3 inner tubes, patches, pump, tire levers, multi-tools
- Maintenance kit: rag, oil, brake pads
Other
- A suitcase for your belongings carried in the vehicle (limited to one per person)
- Street clothes
- 1 pair of evening shoes
- Fleece jacket for the evening
- Toiletry bag
- Telephone and charger
Terms of payment and cancellation
The full terms and conditions of sale are available here: https://www.abicyclette-voyages.com/en/general-terms-and-conditions/
Booking and payment
- Departure more than 30 days before your booking: payment of a deposit of 30%, excluding insurance, at the time of booking. If you have taken out travel insurance, it must be paid in full at the time of booking to guarantee its validity.
- Departure within 30 days of your booking: payment of the total cost of your stay. Or payment of the balance of the holiday if you have already paid a deposit.
Cancellation of the Contract
You may cancel the Contract at any time before the start of the Tour, subject to payment of a cancellation fee. Any total or partial cancellation will incur the following costs per participant:
| Cancellation period | Fees |
| From the date of Booking to 60 days or more before departure or the 1st day of the programme | 5% of the total cost of the Tour (including options); a minimum of 100 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer |
| Between 59 and 30 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 10% of the total cost of the Tour (including options); a minimum of 120 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer
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| Between 29 and 10 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 30% of the total amount of the Tour (including options) a minimum of 150 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer |
| Between 9 and 7 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 45% of the total cost of the trip (including options) |
| Between 6 and 3 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 75% of the total cost of the trip (including options) |
| Less than 3 days to the day of departure or the 1st day of the programme | 100% of the total cost of the trip (including options) |
| No show on day of departure or 1st day of programme |
Custom made trips
You want a custom made cycling tour, or you’ve spotted one of our trips and would like to adapt it ? Tell us a bit about your project and we’ll help you prepare a trip that suits you best.
Starting from 540€ /adult
Book your trip
Leisure , 
Fit
Aventure
From BLOIS to BRACIEUX 27km 132m
You leave Blois easily by following the secured route dedicated to cyclists. After a few kilometers of riding your bike, you enter the majestic forest of Chambord from where rises sometimes through autumn fog the stag of a deer. At the end of the large alley, the castle and its 282 chimneys are extravagant and sumptuous. The sculpted salamanders watch you before heading back through centuries-old trees that welcome you under their refreshing shade and whisper royal stories. Arrived at Bracieux, do not miss a little stop at the Vauché chocolate factory that you can then enjoy under the old “halles” market place once used as the last village stage before the arrival of the King in Chambord.
Meeting with our local guide
Before your first ride, meet our local guide at your departure point. This is the perfect time to catch up on the latest practical advice, find out about the addresses and experiences you shouldn’t miss, answer any questions you may have, make the final adjustments to your bike and get your trip off to the best possible start.