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A cyclist sits on a stone wall in front of Chenonceau Castle on the Loire River

Castles on river Loire

La Route Royale

8 Days / 7 Nights
Medium
A cyclist sits on a stone wall in front of Chenonceau Castle on the Loire River

There are no limits to the romance of the Loire Valley. Cultural wealth, rural charm and romantic architecture: these three terms best describe a tour on two wheels through France.

In between all the famous castles of the Loire you cycle through the charming landscape from city to city. Always taking centre stage: the culture! Kings, feudal lords and court ladies once enjoyed a noble life here. Today you can explore the historical residences and be transported back in time. Would you like an extra helping of history? Then come with us on a cycle tour over La Route Royale!

The castles Langeais, Ussé, Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau – to name but a few – form the dream route ‘La Route Royale’. The first-class mix of unmistakable architecture and impressive landscapes make the cycle tour to the castles of the Loire an unforgettable experience. We’ll tell you now which highlights are waiting for you!

  • Villandry & Ussé Castles: One of the most magnificent castles on your trip is Villandry Castle. Its unique terrace gardens, the flower-covered arbours and the numerous fountains invite you to dream. On the way to Chinon, Ussé Castle stands on the edge of the forest. The sleeping beauty castle sparks the imagination about the famous fairy tale from Brothers Grimm. You will love it!
  • Azay-le-Rideau: On the cycle path through old vineyards and villages you will reach Crissay. With its buildings and houses from the 15th Century, the village is one of the most beautiful in France. The Azay-le-Rideau castle there is brimming with splendour. In other words: a magical Renaissance castle of a special quality!

Attention culture vultures! Within eight days you will experience much culture, architecture and nature. You cycle along low-traffic side streets through the gently curving Loire Valley. The programme includes between 40 and 75 kilometres a day.

Any questions about La Route Royale? The experts of the Eurobike team will be happy to provide you with further information about the tour. Contact us now!

Itinerary at a glance

Day
01
Arrival in Tours

The river Cher leads you directly to the castle Villandry with its terraced gardens. Certainly, you should not miss paying a visit to this famous installation. Every visitor will be amazed by the shadowy footpaths, the flower-bedecked bowers, the fountains and the artistically laid out vegetable gardens. Some kilometres further on you will exchange the bank of the Cher for the bank of the famous Loire. And again you will be tempted by the next castle – Langeais. From the top of the fortified tower (this castle exclusively served for military purposes) you will see the river and its whole surroundings lying in front of you. On the verge of the dark and mysterious forest of Chinon rises the castle of Ussé, the castle of the Sleeping Beauty. Via small villages and on side roads you will reach today’s destination – Chinon.

Sample hotel category A: Diderot

Sample hotel category B: Rive Sud

The Vienne escorts you first in the small village Candes-St-Matin. A grandiose and romantic church was built at the place of death of the holy St. Martin. In Montsoreau conflate the Vienne with the powerful Loire – a impressing natural spectacle. These ‘cave gardens’ are approx. 800 km long. Your cyclist calves take you first to Fontervraud l’Abbey. Nowhere else in this world, you will find a medieval monastery that is so entirely preserved like the one in Fontervraud. You pass the birth house of Francois Rabelais, the famous author and also through the valley, where his story line of the book “Gargantua” takes place.

Sample hotel category A: Diderot

Sample hotel category B: Rive Sud

You leave Chinon with its medieval alleys, which crowd between the river and the rocks, towards the north. The tour leads you through vineyards and lonely villages. Like Crissay, once entirely deserted – it is now resettled by artists and people who always know how to make the best of things. But don’t be afraid – there will also be a castle for admiration today: to be precise, one of extremely high quality – Azay-le-Rideau. Balzac wrote about it “a diamond with thousand facets, set by the Indre”. What could we add to this? You will spend the night in town and have, therefore, the chance to enjoy the magic of the castle with its cultural events.

Sample hotel category A: de Biencourt

Sample hotel category B: Val de Loire

 

 

There is another highlight in store: this time concerning nature. Through the romantic river landscape, steadily following the Indre, you will reach Montbazon. A short ascent awaits you. By pedalling really hard over a mountain ridge you reach the Cher Valley. On meadow paths and along the Cher you go to Bléré, a small market town. For many visitors the Castle of Chenonceaux is the topping on the cake. A magnificent, double floored bridge gallery goes over the river. But before the lovely palace garden will enthuse your eyes. But see and discover on your own.

Sample hotel category A: La Roseraie

Sample hotel category B: Logis Le Relais

 

 

Today you have to choose between two tour variants: the shorter stage takes you through the lovely landscape of the Touraine to the Castle Chaumont, and then on romantic paths along the Loire to Blois. After moving into your hotel room you will go out on reconnaissance! The Castle Blois with its galleries, projected balconies and bay windows could be your destination.

Or there is the second, longer variant for all lovers of the Loire Castles: via Montrichard, Cheverny, Villesavine to the Castle Chambord. As far as the eye can see the ‘Domaine de Chambrod’ stretches here. Already from a distance, you can see the walls of the biggest and most magnificent residence on the Loire shimmering through the trees. It is the immortal legacy of a disloyal king. You are spoilt for choice!

Sample hotel category A: Anne de Bretagne

Sample hotel category B: Le Monarque

 

 

The river flows between the gold shimmering sandbanks in a leisurely manner. Typical of this area are the rock housings, which are directly built into the soft lime stones. Sometimes, only the rising smoke reveals their existence. You cross the Loire in order to appreciate the most royal of all the Loire Castles: Castle Ambois. It accommodated five kings and a Roman emperor. In addition, a genius of the 16th century attracts your attention – Leonardo da Vinci, who spent his last years in Ambois. On the Loire Cycle Path you keep cycling on to Tours. Alternatively take the train (independently) from Amboise and hence cut the stage short by about 30 km.

Sample hotel category A und B: Ibis Styles Centre

 

 

Day
08
Departure or extension

Itinerary at a glance

Stops at the castles of Langeais, Ussé, Chambord and Azay-le-Rideau will not only take you along the Loire, but also into the past. Along the way, you'll nourish yourself with French delicacies, whether tarte tatin or fruity wine.

Discover the historic old town and the imposing castle, already the kings of France were magically attracted to this place.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Novotel Centre Val de Loire
Cat. B: Le Monarque

The river flows between the gold shimmering sandbanks in a leisurely manner. Typical of this area are the rock housings, which are directly built into the soft lime stones. Sometimes, only the rising smoke reveals their existence. You cross the Loire in order to appreciate the most royal of all the Loire Castles: Castle Ambois. It accommodated five kings and a Roman emperor. In addition, a genius of the 16th century attracts your attention – Leonardo da Vinci, who spent his last years in Ambois. On the Loire Cycle Path you keep cycling on to Tours. Alternatively take the train (independently) from Amboise and hence cut the stage short by about 30 km.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Hampton by Hilton
Cat. B: Ibis Styles Centre

The river Cher leads you directly to the castle Villandry with its terraced gardens. Certainly, you should not miss paying a visit to this famous installation. Every visitor will be amazed by the shadowy footpaths, the flower-bedecked bowers, the fountains and the artistically laid out vegetable gardens. Some kilometres further on you will exchange the bank of the Cher for the bank of the famous Loire. And again you will be tempted by the next castle – Langeais. From the top of the fortified tower (this castle exclusively served for military purposes) you will see the river and its whole surroundings lying in front of you. On the verge of the dark and mysterious forest of Chinon rises the castle of Ussé, the castle of the Sleeping Beauty. Via small villages and on side roads you will reach today’s destination – Chinon.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Diderot
Cat. B: Rive Sud

The Vienne escorts you first in the small village Candes-St-Matin. A grandiose and romantic church was built at the place of death of the holy St. Martin. In Montsoreau conflate the Vienne with the powerful Loire – a impressing natural spectacle. These ‘cave gardens’ are approx. 800 km long. Your cyclist calves take you first to Fontervraud l’Abbey. Nowhere else in this world, you will find a medieval monastery that is so entirely preserved like the one in Fontervraud. You pass the birth house of Francois Rabelais, the famous author and also through the valley, where his story line of the book “Gargantua” takes place.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Diderot
Cat. B: Rive Sud

 

You leave Chinon with its medieval alleys, which crowd between the river and the rocks, towards the north. The tour leads you through vineyards and lonely villages. Like Crissay, once entirely deserted – it is now resettled by artists and people who always know how to make the best of things. But don’t be afraid – there will also be a castle for admiration today: to be precise, one of extremely high quality – Azay-le-Rideau. Balzac wrote about it “a diamond with thousand facets, set by the Indre”. What could we add to this? You will spend the night in town and have, therefore, the chance to enjoy the magic of the castle with its cultural events.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Le Grand Monarque
Cat. B: Val de Loire

There is another highlight in store: this time concerning nature. Through the romantic river landscape, steadily following the Indre, you will reach Montbazon. A short ascent awaits you. By pedalling really hard over a mountain ridge you reach the Cher Valley. On meadow paths and along the Cher you go to Bléré, a small market town. For many visitors the Castle of Chenonceaux is the topping on the cake. A magnificent, double floored bridge gallery goes over the river. But before the lovely palace garden will enthuse your eyes. But see and discover on your own.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: La Roseraie
Cat. B: Logis Le Relais

Today you have to choose between two tour variants: the shorter stage takes you through the lovely landscape of the Touraine to the Castle Chaumont, and then on romantic paths along the Loire to Blois. After moving into your hotel room you will go out on reconnaissance! The Castle Blois with its galleries, projected balconies and bay windows could be your destination.

Or there is the second, longer variant for all lovers of the Loire Castles: via Montrichard, Cheverny, Villesavine to the Castle Chambord. As far as the eye can see the ‘Domaine de Chambrod’ stretches here. Already from a distance, you can see the walls of the biggest and most magnificent residence on the Loire shimmering through the trees. It is the immortal legacy of a disloyal king. You are spoilt for choice!

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Novotel Centre Val de Loire
Cat. B: Le Monarque

 

Day
08
Departure or extension

Other variations of this tour

Route information

Medium

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. 

Prices & Dates

Category A: 3*** hotels of the French classification
Category B: 2**-and 3* hotels of the French classification

 

Prices per person in EUR

Our rental bikes

Men's bike 21-speed
Dereilleur gears with freewheel

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

Body size approx. 165 cm - 205 cm

56-51 "sloping" cm |
60 cm |
64 cm
Unisex bike 21/24-speed
Dereilleur gears with freewheel

High-quality unisex touring bike with comfortable low entry

Body size approx. 148 cm - 190 cm

43 cm |
46 cm |
51 cm |
56 cm
Unisex Electro bike 8-speed
Hub gears with freewheel

High-quality unisex electric bike with comfortable low entry

Body size approx. 148 cm - 195 cm

46 cm "xs" |
46 cm |
51 cm |
56 cm
Rental Bike PLUS 20/27-speed
Dereilleur gears with freewheel

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

Body size approx. 155 cm - 205 cm

46 cm |
51 cm |
60 cm |
63 cm

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in your selected category
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • EUROBIKE developed route
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data available
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Bike rental, including rental bike insurance

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Tours Train station
  • Paris airport
  • Car park costs EUR 50  per week, no reservation possible/necessary.

.

Things to note

  • For this trip, high quality rental bikes are provided by our local partner.
  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

 

Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of €20 per room.

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in your selected category
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • EUROBIKE developed route
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English, French)
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Bike rental, including rental bike insurance

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Blois Train station
  • Paris airport
  • Public garage costs approx. EUR 30 per week, no reservation possible/necessary

.

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
  • Please note that for this trip high quality, but slightly different from the description, rental bikes are provided by our local partner.
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

 

Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of €20 per room.

From our Cycling Blog

Julia Bann

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