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Two cyclists on paved path along Loire River with historic château on hilltop above French village houses under clear blue sky.

Cycling along the Loire - Castles and La Route Royale. 8 days

8 Days / 7 Nights
Moderate
Two cyclists on paved path along Loire River with historic château on hilltop above French village houses under clear blue sky.

The essentials at a glance

Self-guided cycling tour through the Loire Valley visiting magnificent châteaux including Amboise, Villandry, Chenonceau, and Chambord. The route covers approximately 365 km over 6 cycling days on mainly flat cycle paths and quiet roads. Highlights include troglodyte homes, Fontevraud Abbey, Renaissance castles, and picturesque villages like Crissay-sur-Manse. Moderate difficulty with some gentle hills in vineyard areas.

The Loire Valley – the quintessence of the romantic France! The rural charm of this region is in no way inferior to the cultural wealth of its cities. But of course, the castles on the river Loire are the reason, above all else, why this region is so famous. Kings, feudal lords and ladies of the court, seduced by the beautiful natural setting of the Loire Valley, had there, in the ‘garden of France’, several hundred castles, manor houses and dreamy residences built. 

Villandry, Langeais, Ussé, Chinon,  Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceaux, Chambord, Blois, just to name the most important ones. Each one of them would be worth a separate holiday, however together they truly display a one of a kind route of dreams as far as architecture and scenery is concerned. A first class cycling holiday in every way.

 

Highlights on this tour

  • Splendid palaces, noble stately homes and oppulent gardens
  • Scenic and cultural splendor
  • Loire wines
  • The charm of the French „savoir-vivre“

Video from the tour

Here you can watch a short video about this tour. We did the tour at the beginning of May 2025, and it gives a good impression of what you can expect. We did our 8-day version of the tour.

The route

Mainly flat on cycle paths and low traffic secondary roads with almost consistently very good signposting. The terrain in the vineyards is somewhat more hilly and there are also a few short ascents to tackle.  

Itinerary

See the day-by-day itinerary below.

Take some time to explore Blois’ atmospheric old quarter and impressive château. The town’s irresistible charm has fascinated visitors for centuries – including several kings of France.

Category A - Hotel (example): Anne de Bretagne
Category B - Hotel (example): Le Monarque

Troglodyte homes carved into the region’s soft limestone cliffs are a distinctive feature of today’s route. You cycle beside the river before crossing the Loire for a visit to Château d’Amboise, one of the valley’s most majestic royal residences. Leonardo da Vinci lived here during the final years of his life, and his former home can still be visited. Afterwards, follow the Loire Cycle Route towards Tours. If preferred, you can shorten the stage by taking the train from Amboise at your own expense.

Category A + B - Hotel (example): Ibis Styles Centre

Follow the Cher towards Château de Villandry, celebrated for its magnificent ornamental gardens. Shortly before Château de Langeais, the route leaves the Cher and joins the Loire. The château’s former defensive tower rewards visitors with sweeping views across the surrounding countryside. Later, you pass Château d’Ussé on the edge of the Chinon Forest – the enchanting château said to have inspired the story of Sleeping Beauty. Quiet country lanes and charming villages then lead you onwards to Chinon.

Category A - Hotel (example): Diderot
Category B - Hotel (example): Rive Sud

Cycle alongside the Vienne to the picturesque village of Candes-Saint-Martin. At nearby Montsoreau, the Vienne flows into the Loire, creating an impressive meeting of two rivers. The route continues through carefully cultivated vineyards to Fontevraud Abbey, one of the finest surviving medieval monastic complexes in the world. On the return journey to Chinon, the day takes a literary turn as you pass the birthplace of renowned French writer François Rabelais.

Category A - Hotel (example): Diderot
Category B - Hotel (example): Rive Sud

Leaving Chinon’s medieval lanes behind, you cycle north through long-established wine-growing areas and peaceful rural villages. The route brings you to Crissay-sur-Manse, officially recognised as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Your destination is Azay-le-Rideau, whose elegant Renaissance château is another highlight of the Loire Valley. As you spend the night in the village itself, there is plenty of time to appreciate the château and its enchanting surroundings.

Category A - Hotel (example): de Biencourt
Category B - Hotel (example): Val de Loire

Follow the idyllic scenery beside the River Indre until you reach the attractive town of Montbazon. A short ascent is followed by a descent into the Cher Valley, where easy paths across open meadows take you through Bléré and onwards to Chenonceaux. Here you stay amid historic surroundings close to the magnificent Château de Chenonceau. Its remarkable two-storey gallery stretches across the river, while the beautifully designed gardens provide another compelling reason to linger.

Category A - Hotel (example): La Roseraie
Category B - Hotel (example): Logis Le Relais

Two different routes are available today. The shorter option crosses the softly rolling Touraine countryside to Château de Chaumont before following scenic paths beside the Loire back to Blois. Arriving earlier leaves the remainder of the day free for exploring the town.

The longer alternative takes you through Montrichard, Cheverny and Villesavin before reaching Château de Chambord. As you approach, the pale walls of the Loire Valley’s largest and most extravagant château gradually appear between the trees – an extraordinary royal monument commissioned by a king whose romantic adventures were almost as ambitious as his architecture.

Category A - Hotel (example): Anne de Bretagne
Category B - Hotel (example): Le Monarque

8

Departure or extension

Prices and dates

Prices per person in EUR

The price includes

ACCOMMODATION

  • 7 nights in the selected hotel category

 

FOOD & DRINKS

  • Breakfast every day

 

CYCLING & EXPERIENCES

  • 6 days of cycling (approx. 365 km in total)
  • Rental of a standard bike (can be deselected – see details below)
  • Detailed descriptions of the carefully selected routes (route maps, route descriptions, information about relevant tourist attractions and important phone numbers – in English)
  • Access to the route in our GPS app, which also works offline (one access per person)
  • Possibility of GPX files for use in your own GPS

TRANSPORT

  • Luggage transport between the hotels

 

OTHER

GENERAL

  • Transport to/from France
  • Handling fee (€ 25)
  • Travel insurance

 

REQUIRED AND PAID LOCALLY

  • Any tourist taxes at the hotels

OPTIONAL
The following can be selected in the booking form, when you book the tour.

  • Upgrade to an electric bike (selected when booking the tour)

 

Use the button "Calculate price" on this page to see what the tour will cost with your wanted inclusions.

PARKING
It is possible to park at the first hotel or nearby. Parking cannot be reserved in advance and must be arranged directly with the hotel (expect a cost of approximately €10–20 per day).

Bikes

You can choose from these bikes on the tour.
Red unisex touring bicycle with 21-speed gearing, equipped with bright yellow panniers on front and rear, parked on grass.
Unisex 21-speed bike
Dereilleur gears with freewheel

High-quality unisex touring bike with comfortable low entry.

Body size approx. 148cm - 190cm.

43cm
46cm
51cm
56cm
Red electric bicycle with yellow panniers parked on green grass. The e-bike has a front basket and rear pannier bag, both in bright yellow.
Unisex 8-speed E-bike
Hub gears with freewheel

High quality unisex e-bike with comfortable low entry.

Body size approx. 148cm - 195cm.

46cm "XS"
46cm
51cm
56cm
Red men's touring bicycle with 21 gears parked on grass. Features yellow panniers on rear rack and handlebar bag, black saddle and grips.
21-gear men's bike
Dereilleur gears with freewheel

High quality men's touring bike with classic diamond frame.

Body size approx. 165cm - 205cm.

56-51 "sloping" cm
60cm
64cm
Dark gray touring bicycle with rear rack, front suspension, and multiple gears parked on vibrant green grass beside a paved path.
PLUS men's bike 27-gear
Dereilleur gears with freewheel

Sportier, lighter and more precise premium rental bike with diamond frame.

Body size approx. 155cm - 205cm.

46cm
50cm
51cm
55cm
60cm
63cm

Practical information

Here you can get answers to various questions about the trip
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The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room. Simply choose "1 person" in the booking form and it will automatically add the single room surcharge.

On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.

 

Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill out any forms. Here’s how:

  1. Click on the "Calculate Price" button (you’ll find it in the "Dates and Prices" section) – this will take you to the first pages of the booking form
  2. Select your preferred date, number of people, room distribution, any extra nights, and any available add-ons you may want
  3. See the price


Get a quote
If you would like a flight included, or changes made to the trip, you can request a customized offer by clicking the "Get Quote" button at the top of the page. Remember to describe in detail what changes you would like.

The booking process
When you book the trip, we will begin booking hotels and arranging all the practical aspects of your tour. This process typically takes 5–8 working days, but in some cases it may take longer for certain bookings. If you arrange your own transportation, we recommend waiting until we have confirmed your booking before making any arrangements.

Dates
If you can select a date in the trip calendar (in the booking form), then this is a possible start date. We regularly update our trips with sold-out dates; these dates will then appear in red/grey and cannot be selected.

On all our cycling holidays it is possible bring your own bike but it also possible to rent a bike for the tour. The bikes you can rent are all perfectly suited for the tour and the local terrain and all bikes are perfectly maintained. If you want to rent a bike on your holiday, then you select this on the booking form.

Equipment included in the bike rental:

  • Saddle bag (water repellent)
  • Handlebar bag (water repellent)
  • Service-set with tools and extra bicycle tube
  • Combination lock

Please note that helmets are not included and you need to bring your own.

Roadside assistance
All bikes are equipped with puncture resistant tyres which means that it is virtually impossible to puncture. No rule without exceptions, so should you experience a punctured tyre then you can quickly fix it by using the tools in the service-set. If the damage is greater than a simply puncture then you simply call us and we make sure that your bike is fixed or you will be supplied with a new bike as quickly as possible.

Insurance is included
Insurance against theft and damages are included in the bike rental. Should you have any problems of this nature then all you have to do is to let us know and we will supply a new bike as quickly as possible. Naturally, careless or mischievous behavior is exempt from this.  

The flights to/from Paris are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.

From Paris you take the train to Blois - aspproximately 1,5-2 hours.

Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.

It works like this:

  1. You book your chosen holiday with us
  2. We confirm your holiday (usually within 2-5 working days)
  3. You arrange your transportation

Get a quote
If you prefer that we handle your flight, then we would be happy to arrange this for you. You simply book a quote below the map on this page and we will return with a quote as soon as possible (usually within 48 working hours). Please note that we add a handling fee of 45 euro to each flight and this means that the flight will be cheaper if you book it yourself.

On this tour you will be accommodated in 3-star hotels (Category A) or in 2-star and 3-star hotels (Category B)

In the itinerary you can see some examples of the hotels we use on this tour. Notice that the hotels are examples and you may end up staying in different hotels. It depends on availability when you book the tour.

Breakfast is included every day. It is easy to find lunch in the small villages before the walks and you will have plenty of choices for dinner in the many restaurants.

Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.

Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.

Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.

On this tour, you will receive the following documents:

Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll recieve a pre-booking-email where you can get a complete overview of your booking. Once the tour is confirmed you get a confirmation email from us along with practical information about the tour.

One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and final travel documents.

Upon arrival at the first hotel
You'll receive the welcome pack, which contains everything you need for the trip. There will be route descriptions, maps, luggage tags, specific local vouchers and if you have rented a bike, they will also be handed out at the first hotel. The documents are in English.
Notice: On some tours it is necessary to either print the documents yourself or to bring them electronically.

This tour has difficulty grade 2.

Grade 2
For cyclists who like hilly terrain and a bit longer distances. You cycle on good roads, which usually don’t have much traffic. The distance is between 35 – 60 km or 20 – 38 miles. If you are capable of riding a bike and you have a normal good health, you should not worry about going on these tours.

Read more about our Grading System

After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.

We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.

Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.

Join the special ‘Bering Cycling Holidays’ group on Facebook. Here you'll be notified about new holidays, special offers and much more.

Link to the group

Note: you need to request membership, but everyone is approved.

When you book a trip with us, we plant a tree in Kenya.

Bering Travel partners with Growing Trees Network, which has been planting trees in Kenya since 2020 in collaboration with Seniorer uden Grænser (Seniors Without Borders). The trees are planted with small-scale local farmers in the Mount Kenya region, as well as at schools, where the fruit helps supplement students’ diets and is incorporated into their learning.

The trees are planted using the shamba method – a sustainable approach that combines reforestation with agricultural crops. This keeps the soil covered with vegetation throughout the year, helping to prevent nutrient loss and reduce erosion.

The contribution to tree planting comes directly from Bering Travel’s own earnings and is not added to the price of your trip.

This initiative is not intended as a carbon offset for travel, but as a way to make a positive contribution.

Read more

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"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"

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