Family bike trip to the Chateaux of the Loire valley
Highlights
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.
Easy From BRACIEUX to CHEVERNY 18km 90m 
From CHEVERNY to CHAUMONT SUR LOIRE 25km 41m
From CHAUMONT SUR LOIRE to BLOIS 28km 100m
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. Before entering Chailles, a surprise awaits you: the castle and farm of Villelouet. Its closed courtyard and especially its unusual chapel Troubadour make it an original gem, especially since this castle of the seventeenth century is built on the ruins of an even older castle. 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.
Essential Range with family rooms
The price is per adult, based on one family room for 4 people, 2 adults and 2 kids., please contact us if you need another type of rooms.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 380€/participant in Self Guided option |
Comfort Range
The price is per adult, based on one family room for 4 people, 2 adults and 2 kids., please contact us if you need another type of rooms.You are accommodated in 2 and 3 star hotels with swimming pool 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 450€/participant in Self Guided option |
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
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)
- 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.
Trekking bikeA layed out and dynamic position Supplied equipment per bike
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Touring bikeA straight and easy going position 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 Bike20″ or 24″ bike |  |
Bike trailer |  |
Getting here
Meeting point
Blois, Loir-et-Cher (41)
Blois by car *
From Paris on the A10 (185km 2H10)
From Lyon on the A6 (510km 5H)
Blois by train *
TER train station in Blois (from Paris: 1H45)
Return: TGV train station in Tours – Saint-Pierre-des-Corps (to Paris: 1H10)
For schedules and reservations, you can visit: www.oui.sncf
*Transport to your meeting point can be included as an option.
Recommended equipment
Bike
- Trekking or hybrid bike
- 21 to 30 speeds
- 26 or 28 inch (700) wheels
Clothing and equipment
- Helmet (included with the rental)
- Clothing suitable for cycling
- Warm jacket (eg fleece)
- Rain proof jacket
- 1 pair of sunglasses
- 1 pair of cycling shoes
- 1 small backpack or panniers
- 1 or 2 water flasks (included with the rental)
- 1 lock (included with the rental)
- Our reccomendation for optimal comfort:
- 1 pair of gloves
- 1 special pair of pants (shammy leather)
- 1 night see fluorescent vest
Bike maintenance
- Emergency repair kit: 2 or 3 tubes, patches, pump, tire levers, multi-tools
- Daily use kit: cloth, brake pads, oil
Other
- Suitcase (for transporting personal effects in luggage transfers)
- Change of clothes for the evening
- Warm jacket for the evenings
- Set of toiletries
- Mobile phone and charger
Duration 4 days and 3 nights
Level Facile
Departure date From March 14th to October 30th
Destination Loire Valley
(2 adultes et 2 enfants en chambre familiale)
Personalized service 
Loisir
Expert
From BLOIS to BRACIEUX 27km 60m
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.
Briefing Orientation
Before your first ride, we invite you to meet one of our guides, at your place of departure. A time of exchange, a privileged moment to give you our last practical tips, must-see places and experiences, to answer all your questions, take care of your bike fitting to begin your trip.