The Loire by bike: 7-Day holiday from Blois to Saumur

Your cycling holiday begins in Blois, the gateway to the Loire Valley châteaux. From your very first kilometers, you'll be captivated by the Loire River: the reflections of the sky on the water, the islands and wild riverbanks and the countless birds that inhabit its shores. The perfect bike path to begin your cycling adventure! 

Then continue to Chambord, the largest and most majestic Loire Valley châteaux. With its 426 rooms, 282 fireplaces, and the famous double-helix staircase at his center, the château leads to rooftop terraces offering breathtaking 360° views over the estate.

Back on your bike, follow the cycle path through the Boulogne forest. Pedal along quiet country roads, passing orchards and vineyard before reaching Cheverny, a richly furnished classical-style château. Any resemblance to Marlinspike Hall in The Adventure of Tintin is no coincidence ; it was indeed Hergé's inspiration.

On your second day of cycling, the diverse landscapes of the Loire Valley unfold kilometer after kilometer along quiet roads and bike paths. Make a stop at Chaumont-sur-Loire to visit its castle and stroll through the pathways of the International Garden Festival. With a new theme each year, the festival showcases the poetic and innovative creations of around thirty landscape designers from around the world.

Continue for another 22 kilometers, following the river before climbing through vineyard-covered hillside to reach Amboise, a charming town on the banks of the Loire, known for its medieval streets, quaint shops, wine cellars and numerous restaurants.

Before continuing your cycling journey, take some time to visit the Royal Château of Amboise. Perched on a rocky promontory overlooking the Loire River, it offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The château's Gothic and Renaissance architecture bears witness to some of the most significant moments on French history. Leonardo da Vinci is buried in the château's chapel and his final residence, the Château du Clos Lucé, is just a few hundred meters away.

The route then continues towards the city of Tours, with three options:

• Through the Montlouis vineyards and along the banks of the Loire River (28 km)
• Through the Vouvray vineyards and along the Loire River (32 km)
• Along the banks of the Cher River via the Château de Chenonceau (59 km)

Upon arriving in Tours, wander through the historic districts and discover St. Gatien Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Relax at a café on Place Plumereau while admiring its half-timbered houses. Explore the local cuisine at Les Halles de Tours, the city's covered market, and enjoy dinner in one of the many restaurants where you can savor the flavors of Touraine.

This fourth day of cycling follows the peaceful banks of the Cher river, along quiet bike paths. Along the way, discover the toues cabanées, the traditional boats of the Loire navy, and the charming village of Savonnières.

Stop in Villandry to visit the most recent of the great Renaissance châteaux of the Loire Valley, renowned for its remarkable gardens and its famous French-style decorative kitchen garden. 

The stage ends in the small town of Azay-le-Rideau, famous for its elegant castle. 

Today, set off for Chinon! Three of the France's greatest literary figures accompany you along the way…

Following the banks of the Indre river through the valley so beloved by Balzac, you'll reach the banks of the Loire and the small village of Bréhémont whose monumental quays stand as reminders of its rich river-trading past. Continue cycling along the Loire levee to Ussé and its fairytale castle, said to have inspired Charles Perrault's Sleeping Beauty. The route then continues for a few more kilometers through the Chinon countryside before reaching the Royal Fortress of Chinon. In the evening, let yourself be charmed by the medieval streets of this town closely associated with Rabelais.

Today's ride begins along the quiet country roads of the Véron peninsula, a protected natural area that showcases the characteristic landscapes of the Loire Valley, leading to the confluence of the Vienne and the Loire rivers.

Back on the banks of the Loire, you'll pass through Candes-Saint-Martin and Montsoreau , both listed among the "most beautiful villages of France". Continue cycling through the Saumur vineyards and pass the remarkable troglodyte dwellings that are a distinctive feature of this route.

Optional out-and-back extension: just south of Montsoreau stands the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud, the largest monastic complex in Europe. The Plantagenet necropolis is the final resting place of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry II, and Richard the Lionheart. This remarkable site is well worth a visit.

Set on the banks of the Loire river, Saumur is instantly recognizable by its château overlooking the town. Renowned for the Cadre Noir, France's prestigious national riding school, its wines, and its troglodyte dwellings, Saumur offers a rich heritage waiting to be explored.

Suggested excursion: a 30-kilometer bike loop following the Thouet Valley greenway to the Château de Brézé. Less famous than the great Renaissance castles of the Loire Valley, it is nonetheless equally fascinating with its dry moats among the deepest in Europe and its network of several kilometers of underground galleries, a remarkable reminder of the turbulent medieval period when life was organized beneath the ground.

Return to Saumur via the opposite bank of the Thouet river.