Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris to Joué-les-Tours
You'll arrive in Joué-les-Tours after taking the 1-hour train from Paris to St Pierre des Corps station. From there, transfer to your hotel and spend some time getting settled in. Dinner's included and served at the chateau, so you'll head there in the evening. If you manage to arrive early enough in the afternoon, the old city of Tours is worth a quick walk through to get a feel for the area.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at chateau)
Optional Activities
- Explore the old city of Tours
Landmarks/POIs Old City of Tours - Day 2
Joué-les-Tours to Azay-le-Rideau
This is a bike day along the Loire à Vélo route, following both the Cher and Loire Rivers. You'll start by checking out the gardens at Villandry, which are really the highlight here, then bike on to Azay-le-Rideau where you can explore the Renaissance castle. If timing works out, there's a sound and light show at the castle in the evening. The setting of the castle right beside the Indre River makes it particularly worth seeing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Stop at gardens at Villandry
- Visit Azay-le-Rideau chateau
Optional Activities
- Sound and light show at Azay-le-Rideau chateau
Landmarks/POIs Villandry Gardens Azay-le-Rideau Chateau Cher River Loire River - Day 3
Azay-le-Rideau to Luynes
Continue the castle route by bike from Azay-le-Rideau. First stop is Chateau d'Ussé, which gets called the Sleeping Beauty Castle and it's pretty distinctive. After that, you'll ride along a quiet road beside the Loire River heading toward Langeais. You'll be staying overnight near Villandry in the village of Luynes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Chateau d'Ussé
- Ride to Langeais
Landmarks/POIs Chateau d'Ussé Langeais Loire River - Day 4
Luynes to Amboise
A relatively flat bike ride that passes around Tours and into the Vouvray wine region. This appellation is known for white wines that range from dry to sweet dessert styles, plus some sparkling options. After riding through the vineyards, you'll end up in Amboise, a charming town where you'll spend the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ride through Vouvray wine appellation
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting in Vouvray
Landmarks/POIs Vouvray Wine Appellation Amboise - Day 5
Amboise to Chenonceau and Return
Today's a short and moderately flat bike ride through forests and rural terrain. You'll pass by Parc Mini Chateaux on the way, then descend down to Chenonceau Castle, which sits right over the Cher River. Built by Henry II and later enhanced by Catherine de Medici, the castle has historical art, furniture, and tapestries worth spending time looking at. After exploring, you'll ride back to Amboise.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Chenonceau Castle
Optional Activities
- Visit Parc Mini Chateaux
Landmarks/POIs Parc Mini Chateaux Chenonceau Castle - Day 6
Amboise to Blois
Bike through small villages and stop at some privately owned chateaux along the way. There's an optional lunch stop at the Chateau of Chaumont where you can have a picnic near the Gardens Festival. For the route, you have two choices: take the shorter quiet ride to Blois, or go longer and ride through sunflower fields while visiting additional castles like Fougeres and Beauregard.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ride through small villages with stops at chateaux
Optional Activities
- Picnic lunch at Gardens Festival and Chateau of Chaumont
- Longer route through sunflower fields visiting Fougeres and Beauregard castles
Landmarks/POIs Chaumont Castle Fougeres Castle Beauregard Castle - Day 7
Blois to Chambord and Return
Two different routes are available today depending on your energy level. The short option gets you to the famous Chambord castle, includes chocolate tasting at a local factory, and stops at Chateau de Villesavin before returning to Blois. The longer option takes you south from Chambord to visit Cheverny, Troussay, and Beauregard castles on flat scenic roads. You're choosing between about 49km for the Chambord roundtrip or 63km if you add Cheverny.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Chambord Castle
Optional Activities
- Chocolate tasting at factory
- Visit Chateau de Villesavin
- Extended route to Cheverny, Troussay, and Beauregard castles
Landmarks/POIs Chambord Castle Chateau de Villesavin Cheverny Castle Troussay Castle Beauregard Castle - Day 8
Blois Departure
After breakfast at your hotel in Blois, you'll have the day to head to the train station at your own pace. Trains run regularly back to Paris whenever you're ready to leave.
- Meals
- Breakfast
