Cyclorail The Call of the Forest From Château-la-Vallière to Lublé, by cyclorail

In the area of family activities in Touraine, the elves of Château-la-Vallière have decided to make the most of the region’s railway heritage by offering a lovely shady walk. Elves? Yes, that’s what the fifteen or so volunteers from the Cyclorail 37 association are called, and they offer around thirty dates each year to cycle where the last freight train passed through… in 1980!

Pedal along a restored railway line

Depending on the time you have available and your desire to pedal, set off on a 7km route (2 * 3.5km / €15 per vélorail / approx. 1h15) or 14km (2* 7km / €25 per vélorail / approx. 2h30), which therefore follows the old SNCF line from Paris to Bordeaux via Chartres, which served as a itinéraire bis to the line from Paris to Bordeaux via Orléans and Tours.

At the heart of nature

When the Cyclorail team embarked on the adventure in 2018, imagine the scale of the task: in some forty years, nature had fully reclaimed its rights. Before the velorails (a fleet of 12 4-wheeled carriages, also known as draisines) could pass through, a great deal of clearing of undergrowth had to be done!

You can now cruise along the rails in complete peace and quiet through the woods, where a few wild orchids, in particular, thrive.

Cyclorail 37

The velorails accommodate 4 people, 2 of whom pedal (to pedal, children must be 1m40 tall). To help organise the activity, please note that booking is essential.

More discoveries!

Continue your adventure with other visits, outdoor activities and friendly accommodation for a successful stay.

Around the cyclorail

After the ride, don’t hesitate to head to the lac du Val Joyeux: this time it’s a 6.5km hike, and above all a refreshing swim in fine weather. A few kilometres further on, children should also enjoy the tree course at Baud’Rillé Parc Aventure, mini-golf with birds or the Wake Park in lac de Rillé. In the same railway theme, a steam train also runs along the lake for 3 km.