Loire Valley cycle route #2 - Orléans to Tours
Passing by Chambord, Blois, Amboise and Chenonceaux
Highlights
The greatest castles in Europe: Chambord, Chenonceaux, Chaumont sur Loire
Beautiful towns of Blois, Amboise, Tours
A rich heritage of villages along the river, bridges and old houses
The Loire by bike starting from Orleans to Tours
Discover Chambord, Blois, Chaumont sur Loire, Amboise, Chenonceaux along the Loire à vélo itinerary.
You ride from Orléans to Tours, the two largest cities of the Loire Valley. Both with a flourishing past they are less than one hour away from Paris by train! This flat and leisurly itinerary takes you along the Loire and its tributaries. You ride West through the unmissable sites of the region. A calm and serene journey full of discoveries.
In the shade of century-old forests, explore the majestic Chambord castle and its 282 chimneys, the Clos Lucé home to Leonardo da Vinci and his avant-garde inventions, Montlouis and Amboise the greatest vineyards in Touraine. Marvel at the gardens in Chaumont sur Loire, take a day off to explore Amboise or visit Chenonceau and its exuberant castle straddling the Cher river.
There are endless possibilities for gourmet lovers: a wine tasting in one of the Tuffeau’s wonderful cellars, a bucolic picnic on one of the Loire many small beaches, a visit to the Max Vauché chocolate factory of or in the new pastry shop on the place of Montlouis with taste treasures well guarded before ending with a good plate of rillettes, crickets and other pork in the Guinguette de Tours.
Easy or 
Leisure or 
Fit From ORLEANS to BEAUGENCY 28km 46m 
You start by crossing the Loire to reach the banks of one of its tributaries: the Loiret. Around the confluence you ride through a rich agricultural plain. On the riverbanks, you reach Meung-sur-Loire and Beaugency. Enjoy these 2 beautiful villages and their medieval castle. Tavers is right behind!
From BEAUGENCY to BLOIS 50km 100m
Riding along the Loire river, you reach Blois. The route takes you on a beautiful bike path between the Chambord national hunting reserve and the river. When you reach Chambord, its gigantisme is always a surprise. Take interest in its architecture. It exudes both a reassuring and impressive light. Even though the visit is optional, you don’t want to miss this Renaissance jewel.
From BLOIS to AMBOISE 44km 175m
You ride along a river of a quiet strength with a relaxing effect. It shows the way to go. You first stop in Chaumont sur Loire for its fifteenth century castle and gardens. Every year, the gardens of Chaumont sur Loire are renewed and propose a new theme. A must visit of the region, you can also stay for a very nice lunch break. You discover more and more vines to Amboise. You enter the vineyards of Touraine and, on the banks of the Loire, you can see the first cellars and troglodyte houses.
FROM AMBOISE, CHENONCEAUX LOOP 37km 208m
Leave the Loire riverbanks behind and head south. When you arrive in Chenonceaux, take the time to enjoy its famous eponymous castle built in 1513, one of the most beautiful in the Loire Valley. One of its original features is its atypical construction on the Cher river which makes it similar to a bridge. Head back to the royal city of Amboise.
- For a few more km 61km 316m
After your visit to the Chenonceau castle, enjoy a few more kilometers on your way to the authentic medieval town of Montrichard. There is even a beach in the summer if you want to take a dip. Return to Amboise by small country roads.
From AMBOISE to TOURS 28km 125m
You leave Amboise by its hillsides on the side of Montlouis and thus remain on the official itinerary of the Loire à vélo. This is an opportunity to taste some of the Touraine AOC wines, or simply to discover the trades. This itinerant stage takes you to the discovery of the old city of Tours, capital of the Loire castles. Take the time to discover the wooden 15th century houses still present here, they deliver a singular experience and beautiful pieces of history…
- For a few more km 50km 295m
In this version, you can compare the vineyards of Montlouis and Vouvray. After the vineyards of Montlouis, you cross the Loire to reach Vouvray and the Château of Jallanges. Ride along the Loire on the Vouvray side to reach Tours.
TOURS
End of stay after breakfast.
You make the most of your morning in Tours to visit the CCCOD contemporary art creation center or the museum of Compagnonnage. Or simply relax at the guinguette de Tours, a bar on the banks of the Loire, a popular place for Tourangeaux. Finally, make a small detour to the Halles market or the flower market on Boulevard Béranger.
Essential Range
You want to enjoy your itinerary without anything fancy. Our ”essential” range offers a simple accommodation for a good night’s rest in a simple hotel, guesthouse, rest house or hostel.
Starting from 745€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices
Comfort Range
Our quality standard at Abicyclette. This type of accommodation includes 2 and 3 stars hotels. Depending on the itinerary, you might spend some nights in approved guesthouses. You enjoy a double bedroom with private bathroom and toilet and adapted welcome for you and your bikes.
Starting from 855€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices
Privilege Range
Opt for total comfort in charming 3 and 4 star hotels which offer all the services you need and a special welcome for you and your bikes.
Starting from 1115€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices
Price includes
- Accommodation: 6 nights in a Double room
- 6 breakfasts
- Luggage transfer
- Phone assistance 24/7
- Access to our exclusive travel application to follow your route, inform you about places of interest, restaurants, facilitate your assistance in case of emergency, find all your travel documents and our practical advice.
- Application fee
- Taxes
- The itinerary trackable on the following supports:
- Loan of a Bicycle GPS uploaded with full itinerary of the trip
- Topo maps
- Cycling practical guide including restaurant recommendations for lunch & dinner
- Day 1 : A personalized greeting with our team at the beginning of the trip to receive your travel documents
Price does not include
- bike rental (see option)
- Breakfast on day 1
- Lunches
- Dinners not included in "Price includes"
- Drinks, visits & other personal expenses
Homemade and fully tested itineraries
- Routes selected for their cycling and touristic interest entirely tested and away from traffic
- Accomodations selected for their hospitality, atmosphere, services and quality meals
- A flexible organisation to suit you needs and wishes: You choose the date you want to you leave on! We check the availability of each accomodation to make sure it is possible.
Close assistance
- One of our guides greets you on your first day. He will hand out all the needed documents for the trip (hotel vouchers, maps of the area,GPS, practical guide), get you settled on your bikes (for rental bikes).
- Phone assistance, you can reach the Abicyclette team whenever you need
- A Luggage transfer service which respects your hours of rest (we pick them up after 10:00 and deliver them before 16:00)
Follow your itinerary anyway you like – modern, practical, traditional
- We loan you a GPS so that you can easily follow your itinerary without having to look for your way around (bike support included)
- Access to our exclusive travel application to follow your route, inform you about places of interest, restaurants, facilitate your assistance in case of emergency, find all your travel documents and our practical advice.
- A practical cycling guide with all the useful information (addresses, highlights for the day, topo maps, and touristic information)
You can also
- Rent a high end quality bike for real comfort, cycling pleasure and reliability a long trip requires.
- Suscribe to a Cancelation or Multi Risk insurance policy which cover you in case something unexpected comes up.
On our guided tours (for groups on demand), we accompany you every step of the way
- One of our state qualified instructor and professional cycling guide accompanies you every step of the way
- Full board (all meals covered unless asked otherwise)
- A picnic buffet set up for lunch with a wide choice of fresh and local produce
We offer a high-end bike rental service. Our bikes are suited for road and gravel road long-distance cycling. Fully equipped and highly reliable, they are faithful travel companions.
Our rentals include a "breakage and theft guarantee" for peace of mind when travelling. Information and details from your advisor.
Trekking bikeA layed out and dynamic position Mixed aluminium frame, telescopic fork. Straight handlebars. Disc brakes. Drivetrain Shimano 11 to 30 speeds (single, double or triple crankset). Supplied equipment per bike
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Touring bikeAn upright and easy going position Mixed aluminum frame, telescopic fork. Straight handlebars. Disc brakes. Shimano 11 to 30 speed transmission (single, double or triple crankset depending on the model). Supplied equipment per bike
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EbikeWith an autonomy of almost 120km, cycling has never been so easy! Supplied equipment per bike
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Children BikeRecommended bike size (to be confirmed when booking) :
Supplied equipment per bike
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Bike trailerThule Chariot Cross 2 Supplied equipment per bike
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Gravel BikeA versatile bike brimming with qualities: maneuverability, lightness, versatility, elegance. Aluminum frame, carbon fork and steerer tube, Shimano GRX 400 derailleur, double chainrings, 11 speeds. Hydraulics disc brakes. Luggage-rack (not in photo) Weight: 10.50 kg Supplied equipment per bike
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Getting here
Departure city : ORLEANS
Coming by car
- at 1h45 from PARIS
- at 4h30 from BORDEAUX
- at 4h15 from LYON
Parking*
- Parking Cathédrale – ORLEANS
- Parking Cheval Rouge – ORLEANS
- Parking Carmes – ORLEANS
Coming by train
- Orléans train station - 1h30 from Paris
Coming by plane
- Orléans airport
- Paris Charles de Gaulle airport
Arrival city : TOURS
Coming by car
- at 2h30 from PARIS
- at 3h30 from BORDEAUX
- at 4h30 from LYON
Coming by train
- Tours train station - 1h30 from Paris
- Saint Pierre des Corps train station - 1h from Paris
Coming by plane
- Tours airport
*Parking: Since many of our clients travel by train or plane, we do not include parking in our packages. In addition, many accommodations don’t have the capacity to park a vehicle for the duration of your cycling vacation. So if you’re planning to arrive by car, we suggest you check parking options when you make your reservation. If you reserve a parking space at the first or last accommodation of your stay, you must pay the accommodation provider on site.
* Abicyclette Voyages accompanies you on demand, including transportation solutions.
How to get back to the starting point
- By train from Tours to Orléans in 1h05 (hotline)
- Return by car in 1h15 to your starting point
- Private shuttle: see detailed fares or contact us
Recommended equipment
Bike
- Hybrid Bike or Touring Bike or Gravel Bike
- 18 to 30-speed transmission
- 26- to 29-inch wheels
- Tires: 35 to 42 section, reinforced against punctures
- Disc brakes recommended
- 2 bottle cages
- Bell
- Front and rear lighting
Clothing and equipment
- Helmet (supplied with bike rental unless otherwise specified locally)
- 1 bike mount for smartphone to use the mobile route planner application
- Suitable cycling clothing:
- bib, shorts or tights: elastic and breathable, to facilitate movement and wick away perspiration
- Breathable T-shirts, synthetic or merino wool
- Breathable windbreaker
- Thermal or fleece jacket
- Waterproof jacket
- 1 pair of sunglasses
- 1 pair of cycling shoes
- 1 backpack or 1 or 2 carrier bags
- 1 or 2 water bottles (supplied with bike rental in France)
- 1 lock (supplied with bike rental)
- Technical details, recommended by the team for optimum comfort:
- 1 pair of gloves or mittens, depending on season and destination
- Padded bib (chamois)
- High-visibility vest or fluorescent belt
- Neck warmer and cap
Bike maintenance
- Emergency repair kit: 2 or 3 inner tubes, patches, pump, tire levers, multi-tools
- Maintenance kit: rag, oil, brake pads
Other
- A suitcase for your belongings carried in the vehicle (limited to one per person)
- Street clothes
- 1 pair of evening shoes
- Fleece jacket for the evening
- Toiletry bag
- Telephone and charger
Terms of payment and cancellation
The full terms and conditions of sale are available here: https://www.abicyclette-voyages.com/conditions-generales-de-vente/
Booking and payment
- Departure more than 30 days before your booking: payment of a deposit of 30%, excluding insurance, at the time of booking. If you have taken out travel insurance, it must be paid in full at the time of booking to guarantee its validity.
- Departure within 30 days of your booking: payment of the total cost of your stay. Or payment of the balance of the holiday if you have already paid a deposit.
Cancellation of the Contract
You may cancel the Contract at any time before the start of the Tour, subject to payment of a cancellation fee. Any total or partial cancellation will incur the following costs per participant:
| Cancellation period | Fees |
| From the date of Booking to 60 days or more before departure or the 1st day of the programme | 5% of the total cost of the Tour (including options); a minimum of 100 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer |
| Between 59 and 30 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 10% of the total cost of the Tour (including options); a minimum of 120 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer
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| Between 29 and 10 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 30% of the total amount of the Tour (including options) a minimum of 150 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer |
| Entre 9 à 7 jours avant le départ ou le 1er jour du programme | 45% du montant total du Voyage (options incluses) |
| Between 9 and 7 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 75% of the total cost of the trip (including options) |
| Less than 3 days to the day of departure or the 1st day of the programme | 100% of the total cost of the trip (including options) |
| No show on day of departure or 1st day of programme |
Duration 7 days and 6 nights
Level Easy ou Leisure ou Fit
Departure date From March 15th to October 31st
Destination EuroVelo 3
EuroVelo 6
Loire Valley
Themes Greenways & Canals
Heritage
Electric bike trips
Fine wine & Dining
See detailed prices
Personalized service 
Expert
ORLEANS
Arrival on your own and check in to your hotel. Orientation with our guide today. Take time to explore Orleans and the banks of the Loire river.
Meeting with our local guide
Before your first ride, meet our local guide at your departure point. This is the perfect time to catch up on the latest practical advice, find out about the addresses and experiences you shouldn’t miss, answer any questions you may have, make the final adjustments to your bike and get your trip off to the best possible start.