Loire Valley cycle route #2 - Orléans to Tours
Passing by Chambord, Blois, Amboise and Chenonceaux
Highlights
The greatest castles in Europe: Chambord, Chenonceaux, Chaumont sur Loire
Beautiful towns of Blois, Amboise, Tours
A rich heritage of villages along the river, bridges and old houses
The Loire by bike starting from Orleans to Tours
Discover Chambord, Blois, Chaumont sur Loire, Amboise, Chenonceaux along the Loire à vélo itinerary.
You ride from Orléans to Tours, the two largest cities of the Loire Valley. Both with a flourishing past they are less than one hour away from Paris by train! This flat and leisurly itinerary takes you along the Loire and its tributaries. You ride West through the unmissable sites of the region. A calm and serene journey full of discoveries.
In the shade of century-old forests, explore the majestic Chambord castle and its 282 chimneys, the Clos Lucé home to Leonardo da Vinci and his avant-garde inventions, Montlouis and Amboise the greatest vineyards in Touraine. Marvel at the gardens in Chaumont sur Loire, take a day off to explore Amboise or visit Chenonceau and its exuberant castle straddling the Cher river.
There are endless possibilities for gourmet lovers: a wine tasting in one of the Tuffeau’s wonderful cellars, a bucolic picnic on one of the Loire many small beaches, a visit to the Max Vauché chocolate factory of or in the new pastry shop on the place of Montlouis with taste treasures well guarded before ending with a good plate of rillettes, crickets and other pork in the Guinguette de Tours.
Leisure From ORLEANS to BEAUGENCY 28km 46m 
You start by crossing the Loire to reach the banks of one of its tributaries: the Loiret. Around the confluence you ride through a rich agricultural plain. On the riverbanks, you reach Meung-sur-Loire and Beaugency. Enjoy these 2 beautiful villages and their medieval castle. Tavers is right behind!
From BEAUGENCY to BLOIS 50km 100m
Riding along the Loire river, you reach Blois. The route takes you on a beautiful bike path between the Chambord national hunting reserve and the river. When you reach Chambord, its gigantisme is always a surprise. Take interest in its architecture. It exudes both a reassuring and impressive light. Even though the visit is optional, you don’t want to miss this Renaissance jewel.
From BLOIS to AMBOISE 44km 175m
You ride along a river of a quiet strength with a relaxing effect. It shows the way to go. You first stop in Chaumont sur Loire for its fifteenth century castle and gardens. Every year, the gardens of Chaumont sur Loire are renewed and propose a new theme. A must visit of the region, you can also stay for a very nice lunch break. You discover more and more vines to Amboise. You enter the vineyards of Touraine and, on the banks of the Loire, you can see the first cellars and troglodyte houses.
FROM AMBOISE, CHENONCEAUX LOOP 37km 217m
Leave the Loire riverbanks behind and head south. When you arrive in Chenonceaux, take the time to enjoy its famous eponymous castle built in 1513, one of the most beautiful in the Loire Valley. One of its original features is its atypical construction on the Cher river which makes it similar to a bridge. Head back to the royal city of Amboise.
- For a few more km 61km 318m
After your visit to the Chenonceau castle, enjoy a few more kilometers on your way to the authentic medieval town of Montrichard. There is even a beach in the summer if you want to take a dip. Return to Amboise by small country roads.
From AMBOISE to TOURS 28km 125m
You leave Amboise by its hillsides on the side of Montlouis and thus remain on the official itinerary of the Loire à vélo. This is an opportunity to taste some of the Touraine AOC wines, or simply to discover the trades. This itinerant stage takes you to the discovery of the old city of Tours, capital of the Loire castles. Take the time to discover the wooden 15th century houses still present here, they deliver a singular experience and beautiful pieces of history…
- For a few more km 50km 295m
In this version, you can compare the vineyards of Montlouis and Vouvray. After the vineyards of Montlouis, you cross the Loire to reach Vouvray and the Château of Jallanges. Ride along the Loire on the Vouvray side to reach Tours.
TOURS
End of stay after breakfast.
You make the most of your morning in Tours to visit the CCCOD contemporary art creation center or the museum of Compagnonnage. Or simply relax at the guinguette de Tours, a bar on the banks of the Loire, a popular place for Tourangeaux. Finally, make a small detour to the Halles market or the flower market on Boulevard Béranger.
Essential Range
You want to enjoy your itinerary without anything fancy. Our ”essential” range offers a simple accommodation for a good night’s rest in a simple hotel, guesthouse, rest house or hostel.
Starting from 705€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices
Comfort Range
Our quality standard at Abicyclette. This type of accommodation includes 2 and 3 stars hotels. Depending on the itinerary, you might spend some nights in approved guesthouses. You enjoy a double bedroom with private bathroom and toilet and adapted welcome for you and your bikes.
Starting from 795€/participant 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.
Starting from 1185€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices
Price includes
- Accommodation: 6 nights in a Double room
- 6 breakfasts
- Luggage transfer
- Phone assistance 24/7
- 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
- A personalized greeting with our team at the beginning of the trip to receive your travel documents
- Taxes
- The itinerary trackable on the following supports:
- Loan of a Bicycle GPS uploaded with full itinerary of the trip
- Topo maps
- Cycling practical guide including restaurant recommendations for lunch & dinner
- Jour 1 : Meeting with our guide in Loire Valley
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)
- 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 Mixed aluminum frame, telescopic fork. Straight handlebars. Disc brakes. Transmission Shimano 24 to 30 speeds. Supplied equipment per bike
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Touring bikeAn upright and easy going position Mixed aluminum frame, telescopic fork. Straight handlebars. Disc brakes. Transmission Shimano 24 to 30 speeds. 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
Departure city : ORLEANS
Coming by car
- at 1h45 from PARIS
- at 4h30 from BORDEAUX
- at 4h15 from LYON
Parking
- Parking Cathédrale – ORLEANS
- Parking Cheval Rouge – ORLEANS
- Parking Carmes – ORLEANS
Coming by train
- Orléans train station - 1h30 from Paris
Coming by plane
- Orléans airport
- Paris Charles de Gaulle airport
Arrival city : TOURS
Coming by car
- at 2h30 from PARIS
- at 3h30 from BORDEAUX
- at 4h30 from LYON
Coming by train
- Tours train station - 1h30 from Paris
- Saint Pierre des Corps train station - 1h from Paris
Coming by plane
- Tours airport
* Abicyclette Voyages accompanies you on demand, including transportation solutions.
How to get back to the starting point
- By train from Tours to Orléans in 1h05 (hotline)
- Return by car in 1h15 to your starting point ?
- Private shuttle: see detailed fares or contact us
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 (limited to one per person when possible)
- Change of clothes for the evening
- Warm jacket for the evenings
- Set of toiletries
- Mobile phone and charger
Duration 7 days and 6 nights
Level Leisure
Departure date From March 15th to October 31st
Destination Loire Valley
Themes Greenways & Canals
Monuments & Castles
Fine wine & Dining
See detailed prices
Personalized service 
ORLEANS
Arrival on your own and check in to your hotel. Orientation with our guide today. Take time to explore Orleans and the banks of the Loire river.
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.