The Cher by bike at Athée sur CherDiscover the Loire Valley the easy way, travelling light. Arrive by train with a rucksack, hire a bike and you’re off on part of the Loire à Vélo, the Cyclo Bohème or the Cœur de France à Vélo. There’s plenty of accommodation to help you mark out your route.
Velos Rigny Usse ToursAfter visiting one of the three great châteaux of Amboise, another great classic of Touraine tourism awaits you: the Loire à Vélo route! All the way to the west, you’ll be pedalling towards Tours and its half-timbered houses, passing through the vineyards of Montlouis-sur-Loire in particular.
While Anne de Bretagne’s marriage to Charles VIII (synonymous with Brittany’s attachment to the kingdom of France) made the château de Langeais famous, many other parts of history are revealed as the visit unfolds. Then it’s time to hit the road, again on the Loire à Vélo itinerary. The château d’Ussé will be a great stop-off, before heading to the royal fortress of Chinon.
Besides the wineries to visit and the tasty winegrower’s pie to taste, the On the Footsteps of Rabelais cycling loop (28km) makes for a longer stay, unless you opt to spin all the way to Candes-Saint-Martin!
From the capital of Touraine, following the Cher à Vélo (more precisely, “Cœur de France Val de cher – Canal de Berry”), you will reach the marvellous Château des Dames, as well as Canoë Company and La Bélandre, for sailing! If you want to vary the pleasures, you can make the return trip via Amboise (then following La Loire à Vélo), extending your journey by 10 kilometres.
Numerous photographers play with the reflections of the Indre, taking with them beautiful images of the château at Azay-le-Rideau and that of l’Islette. As with the Loire and Cher, this river can also be discovered by bike, via the Cyclo Bohème route. But it’s a long way to Loches. A few breaks along the way will do you a world of good, including the macaroons of Cormery, which should give you the energy you need to reach the pretty royal city of Loches!
Just imagine yourself pedalling along the back roads of the Loire, with the wind at your back and the sun playing with the river’s reflections. You’ll find a wide range of bikes for hire: classic bikes, electric bikes, children’s trailers…
Roue Libre bike rental in Tours
Loire vélo nature in Bréhémont Bike hire company
