Loire Valley - Orléans to Tours

Overview

Follow the Loire River through the eastern Loire Valley on a cycling tour, discovering royal history and some of the region’s finest wines. Beginning in Orléans, ride the Loire à Vélo past medieval bridges, flower-filled towns, and remarkable châteaux, including Château de Chambord, Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire, and the royal Château d’Amboise. Visit Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci’s final home, and travel through landscapes that shift from open farmland to vineyards and shaded forest paths. The vineyards of Montlouis-sur-Loire and Touraine produce crisp Chenin Blancs, sparkling wines, and light reds, perfect companions to days spent exploring historic sites. By the time you reach Tours, you’ll have experienced the Loire's landscapes, wines, and history all at your own pace. This itinerary can be combined with our Tours to Angers and Angers to Le Croisic for a continuous cycling adventure spanning the entire Loire Valley, from Orléans all the way to the Atlantic coast. Accommodations for 5 nights, Breakfasts, 21-speed aluminum standard bicycle (men’s and women’s frames, please specify), Included bike accessories: one rear pannier, handlebar bag, repair kit, lock, and pump (4-day rental), Route descriptions and maps (one set per room), Luggage transfer (Allowance is one piece per guest weighing no more than 20 kg. Additional pieces will require a surcharge of €30 per piece, per transfer), Personalized navigation app, City taxes, 7-day hotline. Superior category: 3 star, Deluxe category: 4 star. All rooms with private facilities. Scott Sub Sport 20 women's or men's bike (E-SUB Alloy frame, Flat handlebar, Water bottle cage, 27 speed (Shimano Alivio or Altus), Flat pedal, Shimano disc brakes, Racktime with spring, Front / Rear Axa Blue Line Lights). Moustache E-bike (Bosch motor and 400 Wh battery (approx. 100 km range), Ergonomic Moustache handlebar, Royal Wave or Royal Hertz saddle, Frame: Aluminium open frame (suitable for all heights), Gears: Shimano 9-speed derailleur with freewheel, Brakes: Disc brakes, Tyres: 27.5″ extremely puncture-resistant with Schrader valves). Included accessories: Counter (one per booking), One bottle (100% recyclable), Repair kit and life/visibility jacket, Pump, Lock, Front pannier with map holder, Rear rack and pannier (2 panniers on e-bike). Supplemental accessories: Child trailer (up to 5 years old), 'Follow-me' tandem (5 to 8 years old). Day 1: Arrival in Orléans. Discover Orléans and its old historical center, a city forever linked to the story of Joan of Arc, who famously liberated it in 1429 during the Hundred Years’ War. Stroll through streets lined with half-timbered houses and elegant Renaissance façades. Orléans is situated between the golden fields of the Beauce region, known as the "granary of France", and the pastures, ponds, and forests of Sologne, a land dotted with hunting lodges and charming villages. Day 2: Orléans – Beaugency, 16 mi. (26 km). Following the wild beauty of the Loire River banks, you cycle through the UNESCO-listed Loire Valley. The route leads to Beaugency, a flower-filled town with medieval streets, a historic stone bridge spanning the Loire, and the 15th-century Château de Beaugency, once home to powerful lords. The town’s past includes hosting the annulment of King Louis VII’s marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1152. Day 3: Beaugency – Blois, 29 mi. (46 km). Leaving Beaugency, you bike along the riverbanks until you reach the Château de Chambord, the largest and most famous château in the Loire Valley. A masterpiece of French Renaissance architecture commissioned by King Francis I, its double-helix staircase and sprawling 440-room layout reflect Leonardo da Vinci’s influence. Continuing to Blois, you’ll find more royal history; its château uniquely showcases four distinct architectural styles from the Gothic to the Classical period. Stroll through its old town with cobbled streets and panoramic river views. Day 4: Blois – Amboise, 26 mi. (42 km). Today’s ride follows the wooded landscapes and vineyards of Touraine Mesland, an appellation known for its fresh, aromatic wines. You’ll visit the Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire, perched above the river. Originally built in the 10th century, it was burned on the orders of King Louis XI and later rebuilt in the late 15th century. The château is also renowned today for its International Garden Festival. Continue to Amboise, where the royal château dominates the town. Just a short distance away lies the Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci’s final residence, where you can explore his workshops and models of his inventions. Optional: Canoe trip on the Loire River (Mosnes → Amboise) From your canoe, peacefully tame the last wild river in Europe and admire extraordinary views of its fauna and flora, combined with an incomparable feeling of being far from civilization. (Approx. 1h30) Day 5: Amboise – Tours, 19 or 33 mi. (30 or 53 km via Chenonceaux). Today’s ride takes you through the vineyards of Montlouis-sur-Loire, famous for its sweet white and sparkling wines made from the Chenin Blanc grape. Along the way, you can visit wine cellars carved into the region’s soft tuffeau limestone. Stop at the elegant Château de la Bourdaisière, birthplace of Gabrielle d’Estrées, the beloved of King Henry IV, now renowned for its remarkable tomato conservatory with over 600 varieties. Arrive in Tours and explore its old quarters, especially the Place Plumereau, lined with half-timbered houses and bustling cafés. Alternative route: Follow the scenic new Cher à Vélo cycle path to the stunning Château de Chenonceau, which arches over the River Cher. Known as the “Ladies’ Château” for the women who shaped its history, it is one of the most romantic and photographed sites in France. From here, rejoin the route to Montlouis and on to Tours. Day 6: Departure from Tours. Bid farewell to the Loire Valley from Tours, a city often called the “Gateway to the Châteaux of the Loire.” If time allows, enjoy a final stroll through its markets or along the Loire River before your onward journey. Easy self-guided hotel tour with 4 days of cycling from 16 to 29 miles per day. Terrain is mostly flat with some rolling hills. Fly to Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG). From the Paris CDG Terminal 2 Train Station you can take a train to Orleans. Total trip time can take between 3 to 5 hours depending on connections, and costs around €70. Depending on time schedules, you can either take a TGV train from the airport to Orleans or a RER/IC train from the airport to Paris Austerlitz station and then on to Orleans. Tickets for TGV trains need to be reserved in advance. Please note that TGV travel requires advance reservation. You can visit the SNCF website for more information and to book. From Orleans Center it is best to take a taxi to your first hotel. On weekdays, a taxi will cost around €27. Weekends and holidays, a taxi costs approximately €36-50. The climate in the Loire Valley is favorable most of the year, the river often acting as a line of demarcation in France's weather between the northern climate and the southern. The river has a significant effect on the microclimate of the region, adding a few degrees of temperature. The climate can be cool with springtime frost while wine harvest months may have rain. Summers are hot, however, influences from the Atlantic moderate the temperature with breeze. This tour is run by Loire Valley Travel.

Daily Ride Schedule

Accommodation & Services

Accommodation

Hotel

What's Included