Self-guided Loire Valley Bike Tour

Welcome to Blois!

After checking into your hotel, step back in time at the Royal Château de Blois—once home to seven kings and ten queens. This architectural gem captures the essence of the Loire Valley’s Renaissance heritage, with stories of intrigue, grandeur, and even royal assassinations.

You can find your bikes and all the accessories you need to start your bike trip delivered to your hotel either in the evening, or tomorrow morning, before your cycling adventure starts.

Begin your journey through the heart of the Loire Valley.

The route winds through quaint villages like Candé-sur-Beuvron and past the stunning Château de Chaumont, perched above the river with magnificent views.

If you’re here in season, don’t miss the Garden Festival in its grand park. Roll into Amboise to explore its regal château and Leonardo da Vinci’s last home, the Clos Lucé.

This morning take your time this morning to soak up the enchanting atmosphere of Amboise. If you didn’t explore the royal château or Clos Lucé yesterday—the final residence of Leonardo da Vinci—now’s your chance to dive into their stories.

When you’re ready, begin your ride, but consider taking a detour to one of the most iconic castles in the Loire Valley—Château de Chenonceau. Often called the “Ladies’ Castle,” this remarkable structure gracefully arches over the river Cher and is renowned for both its architecture and the fascinating women who shaped its history. The detour itself is a delightful ride through serene countryside and lush woodlands, offering a taste of rural France at its finest. You’ll return along the same path before continuing to Tours, where riverside cycling paths make for a relaxed ride into the city.

If you're feeling a bit weary or simply want to take it slow, there's also the option to take a train directly from Chenonceau to Tours—the train station is conveniently located right next to the castle.

Distance: Amboise to Tours ~26.2 km / 16.3 mi Optional: Detour to Chenonceau ~23.8 km / 14.9 mi one-way

Begin your ride along peaceful riverside trails, leading you to the breathtaking Château de Villandry, where the geometric beauty of its Renaissance gardens steals the show.

Continue on to Langeais, home to a striking medieval fortress that still exudes the power of its past.

If you're craving more, take a scenic detour through orchard-lined country roads to Azay-le-Rideau, an enchanting château seemingly floating on the Indre River—a true gem of French Renaissance architecture nestled in serene natural surroundings.

Distance: Tours to Langeais ~31.8 km / 19.8 mi Optional via Azay-le-Rideau ~46.5 km / 28.9 mi

Today, you leave behind the sturdy fortress of Langeais and head west along the serene Loire River. As you ride the levee road—unchanged since Villandry—you’ll pass through peaceful river landscapes where flat-bottomed barges like gabarres and futreaux still float, adding a touch of historical charm.

Consider a short but enchanting detour to Château d’Ussé, the fairy-tale castle said to have inspired Charles Perrault’s Sleeping Beauty (3.5 km / 2.2 mi roundtrip).

To reach Chinon, you have two routes: the shorter path peels away from the river at La Huhaudrie and takes you through a hillier stretch with a few steep climbs. The longer, gentler option continues along the Loire to where it meets the Indre River, then guides you past Avoine and Savigny-en-Véron before reaching the banks of the Vienne River and the historic town of Chinon.

Distance: Shorter route: ~28.7 km / 17.8 mi Longer route: ~36 km / 22.4 mi

Today’s journey takes you from Touraine into Anjou, beginning along the tranquil banks of the Vienne River. You’ll pedal through the verdant countryside to Savigny-en-Véron, before reaching the stunning confluence of the Vienne and Loire rivers. Just ahead lies Candes-Saint-Martin, a picture-perfect village that feels like it’s stepped out of a storybook.

Soon after, you’ll arrive in Montsoreau, where you might choose to detour to Fontevraud Abbey—an architectural marvel and one of the Loire Valley’s most impressive heritage sites, famous for its colorful medieval tomb effigies. If castles still call your name, Montsoreau’s riverside fortress, once celebrated in the novels of Alexandre Dumas, is well worth exploring too.

From Montsoreau, it’s about 18 km to Saumur, with two route options. The traditional one leads through the beautiful Saumur Champigny vineyards, but includes some short, steep climbs—most notably a challenging 18% grade in Parnay. Alternatively, a new riverside trail lets you bypass the hills while still enjoying scenic Loire views. The choice is yours when you reach the Domaine de la Bienboire.

Optional Detour: Fontevraud Abbey adds ~11.3 km / 7 mi

Before leaving Saumur, make time for a visit to its hilltop château, which offers sweeping views over the Loire and a rich display of history and architecture. Then set off on your final—and longest—ride of the tour. Though the day covers more distance, the terrain is mostly gentle, with just a few uphill stretches as you approach Angers.

Follow the serene Loire River westward to Cunault, home to one of Anjou’s finest Romanesque churches. From there, the route ascends toward the peaceful shores of Joreau Lake, passing the mysterious dolmen of Madeleine before descending into the town of Gennes. You’ll then glide past the historic St. Maur Abbey, a former Benedictine priory, before crossing the river and continuing through charming villages like St-Mathurin-sur-Loire and La Daguenière.

The final stretch winds through the atmospheric Trélazé slate quarries before you arrive in Angers, a city steeped in medieval heritage. Be sure to visit the massive fortress built by Saint Louis, which houses the extraordinary Apocalypse Tapestry—one of the largest and oldest of its kind. Angers’ cobbled streets and lively historic center are a joy to explore and a fitting finale to your journey.

Your adventure concludes this morning after breakfast and hotel check-out around 10am. Take one last stroll through Angers—or start dreaming of your next cycling escape. À bientôt!