Itinerary
- Day 1
Tours
You'll arrive in Tours and make your way to the hotel (arrange your own transport from St Pierre des Corps station or the airport - taxis are available). Your tour leader meets you at 6pm for a welcome briefing, then you'll head out together for an included dinner at a local restaurant to get a real taste of French cuisine.
- Meals
- Dinner (Authentic French dinner at a cosy local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel des Chateaux de la Loire), Hotel (Hotel des Chateaux de la Loire (or similar))
Included Activities
- Welcome meeting with tour leader at hotel reception
- Authentic French dinner at a local restaurant
Optional Activities
- Explore Tours old town with half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets on foot
Landmarks Tours Old Town - Day 2
Loire Valley Cycling - Savonnieres to Villandry
After getting fitted for your bike, you'll cycle the Loire à Vélo route through dedicated paths and quiet lanes. The route takes you through Savonnieres where you can grab refreshments, then on to Chateau de Villandry to walk around its ornamental gardens (which are actually grown from vegetables). You'll ride back along the narrow strip between the Loire and Cher rivers with nice views back toward Tours.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel des Chateaux de la Loire), Hotel (Hotel des Chateaux de la Loire (or similar))
Included Activities
- Bike fitting and orientation
- Cycle 'Loire à Vélo' route
- Refreshment stop in Savonnieres
- Visit Chateau de Villandry and explore ornamental gardens
Landmarks Chateau de Villandry Savonnieres Loire River Cher River - Day 3
Tours to Amboise
Your tour leader transfers the luggage while you cycle the Loire à Vélo from Tours to Montlouis for wine tasting and lunch (meats, cheeses, and bread) set in a vineyard. From there, you'll ride to Amboise for a two-night stay. Once you check in, you can explore either Chateau Royal or Clos Luce, where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last years.
- Meals
- Lunch (Local delicacies of meats, cheeses, and breads in a picturesque vineyard with stunning views)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Chaptal (or similar))
Included Activities
- Cycle 'Loire à Vélo' route from Tours
- Montlouis wine tasting with selection of renowned wines
- Lunch of local meats, cheeses, and breads in a vineyard setting
- Check-in at Amboise hotel
Optional Activities
- Explore Chateau Royal in Amboise
- Visit Clos Luce in Amboise (Leonardo da Vinci's residence)
Landmarks Montlouis Chateau Royal of Amboise Clos Luce - Day 4
Amboise
You have the day to yourself in Amboise and can relax or wander around at your own pace. There's an optional moderate ride to Chateau de Chenonceau if you want something more active - it's hillier than previous days. You'll stop in Blere for coffee, then reach the chateau that spans the River Cher. Either explore inside or take a boat ride on the river before cycling back.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Chaptal), Hotel (Hotel Chaptal (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Optional moderate cycling ride to Chateau de Chenonceau via Blere
- Coffee stop in Blere
- Explore Chateau de Chenonceau interiors
- Optional boat ride on River Cher at Chenonceau
- Explore Amboise sights
Landmarks Chateau de Chenonceau Blere River Cher - Day 5
Amboise to Blois
After an easy morning start, you'll leave Amboise and cycle toward Blois. The route follows the escarpment between the Loire and Cher rivers with panoramic views, then descends into the valley. Stop in Chaumont-sur-Loire to see its chateau and have a leisurely lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the river. From there, you'll follow the Loire à Vélo route along the river's edge into Blois.
- Meals
- Lunch (Leisurely lunch in a local restaurant with stunning riverside scenery at Chaumont-sur-Loire)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (ibis Styles Blois Centre Gare), Hotel (ibis Styles Blois Centre Gare (or similar))
Included Activities
- Cycle scenic route from Amboise to Chaumont-sur-Loire
- Visit Chateau de Chaumont
- Lunch in local restaurant at Chaumont-sur-Loire
- Cycle 'Loire à Vélo' route to Blois
Landmarks Chateau de Chaumont Chaumont-sur-Loire - Day 6
Blois - Circular Route to Cheverny
You'll do a circular ride from Blois to Chateau de Cheverny (which inspired the Tintin book's Marlinspike Hall). Pass through the village of Cellettes and ride past privately owned chateaux before reaching Cheverny. The loop brings you back to Blois with a sense of local life along the way and some nice countryside riding.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (ibis Styles Blois Centre Gare (or similar))
Included Activities
- Cycle circular route from Blois to Cellettes
- Visit Chateau de Cheverny
Optional Activities
- Stop in Cellettes village
Landmarks Chateau de Cheverny Cellettes - Day 7
Blois - Circular Route to Chambord
Today you cycle to Chambord, the largest of the Loire Valley chateaux, riding through the village of Huisseau-sur-Cosson and former royal hunting grounds with their elegant lodges. You'll spend plenty of time exploring this Renaissance masterpiece, then return to the Loire's banks and follow them back to Blois. Later, wander through the medieval streets and see the Royal Chateau.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (ibis Styles Blois Centre Gare (or similar))
Included Activities
- Cycle through Huisseau-sur-Cosson
- Explore Chateau de Chambord and its surroundings
- Cycle along Loire River banks returning to Blois
- Explore Blois medieval streets and Royal Chateau
Landmarks Chateau de Chambord Huisseau-sur-Cosson Royal Chateau of Blois - Day 8
Blois to Tours
Your tour finishes at Blois station. Direct trains run from here to Paris or back to St Pierre de Corps TGV station in Tours if you need to connect onward.
