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

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Beelodge
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: Beelodge
Cat. B: Le Monarque

Discover the historic old town and the impressive castle—this place has long held a magical appeal, captivating even the kings of France.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Beelodge
Cat. B: Le Monarque

Typical for this region are the cliff dwellings carved directly into the soft limestone. You’ll cycle close to the river and briefly cross the Loire to visit the most regal of all Loire castles: Château d’Amboise. Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years here, and his residence remains open to visitors today. From there, you’ll continue along the Loire cycle path to Tours—or you may choose to take the train from Amboise (independently).

Hotel (example):

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

The Cher River guides you straight to Château de Villandry, famed for its stunning gardens. Just before reaching Château de Langeais, you’ll switch from cycling along the Cher to the banks of the Loire. A view from the castle’s keep—built solely for military purposes—reveals the spectacular surrounding landscape. At the edge of the Chinon forest stands Château d’Ussé, known as the Sleeping Beauty castle. Through quaint villages and side roads, you’ll make your way to today’s destination, Chinon.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Diderot
Cat. B: Rive Sud

The Vienne River gently guides you to the picturesque village of Candes-Saint-Martin. At Montsoreau, the Vienne merges with the mighty Loire—an awe-inspiring natural spectacle. You’ll pedal through meticulously tended vineyards en route to Fontevraud l’Abbaye, one of the world’s most remarkably preserved medieval abbeys. The journey then takes a “literary return” back to Chinon, where you’ll pass the birthplace of the celebrated writer François Rabelais.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Diderot
Cat. B: Rive Sud

You leave Chinon with its medieval streets behind and head north. Your route takes you through historic vineyards and tranquil villages to Crissay, one of France’s most beautiful villages. Today, you’ll also have the chance to admire another castle: Azay-le-Rideau, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. You’ll stay overnight right in the village, giving you the perfect opportunity to experience the castle’s magic up close.

Hotel (example):

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

Tracing the romantic river landscape along the Indre, you’ll arrive in the charming town of Montbazon. After a brief climb, you’ll descend into the Cher River valley. From there, gentle meadow paths guide you to Bléré and onward to your historic overnight stay in Chenonceaux, home to its magnificent château. A splendid two-story gallery bridge spans the river, while the exquisite castle gardens in front promise to enchant—immerse yourself and discover their magic firsthand.

Hotel (example):

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

Today you have a choice: The shorter route leads you through the gentle landscapes of Touraine to Château de Chaumont, then along romantic paths by the Loire to Blois, where you’ll have the rest of the day free to explore at your leisure. Alternatively, you can cycle via Montrichard, Cheverny, and Villesavin to Château de Chambord. From afar, the walls of this largest and most magnificent Loire residence shimmer through the trees—an enduring legacy of a faithless king.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Beelodge
Cat. B: Le Monarque