Coeur De France Cher A Velo Chenonceau Credit Adt Touraine Jc Coutand 2032 28A tributary of the Loire, the Cher joins the royal river close to the magnificent gardens of Villandry, at the very spot where the Endremage association (traditional boat trips) has its home port.
If we can’t encourage you to take a little trip to this confluence, the Cœur de France à Vélo route officially starts in Tours, on the Ile Balzac. Follow the signs to the river banks, an ideal playground for cyclists.
Vélo Véretz cœur de France
Coeur de France Athée-sur-Cher
Cher by bike to Chenonceau castle
Cher à Vélo in BléréCycling holidays are proving a huge success, with many cycle tourists setting off along the Loire à Vélo, the Cyclo Bohème, or the Saint-Jacques à vélo.
TheCœur de France à vélo route (cycle route no. 46) offers new opportunities for cycling along the banks of a river canalised in the 19th century, with needle dams, lock houses and a green route through the Cher valley to the Canal de Berry.
In July and August, take your bike with you in specially equipped carriages on the Tours<> Bourges<> Nevers line. Booking is compulsory at weekends and on public holidays (€1 fare, in addition to your ticket).
Coeur De France A Velo
Cher à Vélo Civray-de-TouraineAs you leave the capital of Tours on the north bank of the river towards Montrichard, Vierzon and Bourges, the urban environment quickly disappears. To the right, the Cher, to the left, fields and woods, and in front of you… the holidays!
Between Véretz and Azay-sur-Cher, discover the first needle weir and its lock. There are 15 of them, between Tours and Noyers-sur-Cher. At the next lock, near the Château de Nitray (visit and wine tasting at the estate/restaurant La Table du vigneron in fine weather), take time to admire a pretty lock-keeper’s house.
After crossing the river on the bridge at Azay-sur-Cher, continue on the south bank towards Bléré, where you can eat or sleep at the campsite, or take a short diversions to discover the Edouard André park at Civray-de-Touraine. In summer, you can even enjoy a swim at Bléré Plage!
You’ll find the north bank a few kilometres further on, at the Canoe Company base (canoe hire, restaurants at Bistro’Quai and River Camp campsite!). Before visiting the Château de Chenonceau, take the opportunity to paddle under its arches!Aventure Canoë also offers a royal escape to the famous château from the next lockhouse, at Chisseaux.
That said, if you’d rather save your energy for cycling, hop aboard one of the boats run by La Bélandre!
What’s next? The medieval town of Montrichard, then from 2025, Saint-Aignan and its famous Beauval zoo! From there, join the Canal de Berry, heading for Vierzon, Bourges (with its immense cathedral, the Palais Jacques Cœur…) and Montluçon.
Canoeing at Chenonceau CastleAs well as cycling from point A to point B, the connections between the Coeur de France à vélo itinerary and other cycle routes mean that you can plan loop trips in Touraine, enabling you to return to your point of departure.
Cycling along the Cher in Azay-sur-Cher
Cher A Velo Azay Sur Cher Credit Adt Touraine Jc Coutand 2029 1Of course, you’re free to add “non-biking” days to your itinerary so that you can visit (the Château de Chenonceau, the Royal Château of Amboise, or the Royal City of Loches) and extend the pleasure!
