©Loire à Vélo de Montlouis à Amboise|ADT Touraine - JC Coutand

The Loire by bike

Welcome to one of France’s most beautiful cycle routes! In the heart of the Loire Valley countryside, La Loire à Vélo offers you a superb 900km journey, at your own pace. Amboise and its châteaux, the vineyards of Montlouis-sur-Loire, the half-timbered houses of Tours, the gardens of Villandry, the château of Azay-le-Rideau, the royal fortress of Chinon… When planning your stay in Touraine, in addition to the distances to be covered, don’t forget to leave yourself time to visit. By all accounts, you’ll need it!

The Loire à Vélo - a unique route

Pedal along France’s first signposted and safe cycle route! The project was initiated in 1995 by the Centre Val de Loire and Pays de la Loire regions, to form thewestern section of the Eurovélo 6. This major route follows 3 major rivers in Europe (the Loire, the Rhine and the Danube) and crosses France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania.

From the foothills of the Massif Central to the beaches of the Atlantic, La Loire à Vélo hugs the banks of Europe’s last great wild river (but also the banks of the Cher, near Savonnières).

New: the Loire à Vélo pass!

Proposed by the Tours and Orléans Tourist Offices, the Loire à Vélo pass (24h: €59 / 48h: €105 / 72h: €135) gives you exclusive offers and preferential rates for bike hire, tours, restaurants… Travel smart!

Information and booking

©Loire by bike city of Tours|ADT Touraine - JC Coutand

Cyclistes sur Loire à Vélo de Montlouis à Amboise — ©Loire à Vélo de Montlouis à Amboise|ADT Touraine - JC Coutand

Essential steps

In addition to the places already mentioned in the introduction, stop off at the châteaux of Langeais and Ussé or the Aquarium of Touraine and on the Ile de la Métairie. By deviating from the main route via signposted branches, reach the château de Chenonceau and the Cité royale de Loches, the château de l’Islette, the Cité Rétro-mécanique Maurice Dufresne or the Haute Couture gardens.

Extend the experience by catching up with other great itineraries such as la Cyclo Bohème, Cœur de France à vélo (Val de Cher – Canal de Berry) or Saint-Jacques à vélo. And note also that in Chinon, a voie verte leads to the “ideal city” of Richelieu, passing through the fairytale gardens of the Château du Rivau.

Watch out too for a few art installations inviting themselves onto the route, such as Jordane Saget’s on the route past the Château de Villandry (photo below).

Map of Touraine by bike

Caves Ambacia

Visit the famous caves to enjoy special events, taste and buy some of the finest vintages of Touraine and Loire Valley wines. Themed tasting...

Amboise

©Loire à vélo Villandry by Jordane Saget|ADT Touraine / Jean-Christophe Coutand

What is the most beautiful part of the Loire à Vélo in Touraine?

While this question comes up frequently, it’s a difficult one to answer! In Touraine, to be precise, pedalling along the La Loire à Vélo route takes you to the heart of the Loire Valley and its great châteaux, listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco. For just under 100 km, cycle from the ramparts of Amboise to the bustling heart of the city of Tours, from the entrance to the gardens of Villandry to the walls of the royal fortress of Chinon. Some beautiful stages!

Between Amboise and Candes-Saint-Martin, the route reveals its most beautiful features. Admire the sun’s reflections on the white tufa facades as you cruise along the wild banks. At Bréhémont, the panorama of the royal river will take your breath away. The most beautiful cycle paths then take you to Rigny-Ussé, where the château looks straight out of a fairytale.

Pause at Savonnières to discover the petrifying caves, before heading to theremarkable gardens of Villandry. Along this stretch, troglodyte villages and terraced vineyards punctuate your bike ride with an authentic touch.

For a unique experience

Cross the river for free in a traditional boat at La Chapelle-sur-Loire: the Vents d’Galerne boatmen will tell you their stories of the Loire navy.

Live the experience

As well as the châteaux, pass through several vineyards along your route. It’s up to you to improvise a tasting break, in the tourist cellars of Amboise, Montlouis, Azay-le-Rideau, Chinon or Bourgueil!

More info

Where to sleep on the La Loire à Vélo route?

Enjoy the comfort of accommodation designed with cyclists in mind! Campsites provide shady pitches, while chambres d’hôtes offer secure garages for your bikes. You’ll be spoilt for choice: opt for an unusual night in a toue cabanée on the Loire, an authentic stay in a gîte rural or the charm of a hôtel de caractère.

Each establishment reserves dedicated services for you: energy breakfast, repair corner, laundry and even luggage transport. The owners, true ambassadors of the area, share their invaluable advice on the most beautiful routes and hidden treasures of the region. Many of them have the “Loire à Vélo” label. They offer services tailored to the needs of cycle tourists, and are located less than 5km from the route.

Accueil Vélo accommodation

Loire distances by bike
©Loire distances by bike
COMING BY TRAIN DURING THE SUMMER
Pack your bike in specially equipped carriages thanks to the Train Vélo Loire operation. Please note: reservation is compulsory at weekends and public holidays(€1 fare, in addition to your travel pass), and recommended on other days.
An easy cycling route for all the family, with the kids!”
Get your whole tribe along! Thanks to a flat, safe and signposted route, La Loire à Vélo is accessible to everyone. From the age of 7 or 8, the experience is possible, with stages of 20 to 30 kilometres per day. Of course, younger children can also make the trip, using a cargo bike or a specially adapted trailer. Whatever their age, you’ll love that they can collect the “La Loire à Vélo” stamps in the passport dedicated to the route, available at most Offices de Tourisme lining this beautiful journey.
And of course, with children, take the opportunity to combine a visit to the châteaux of the Loire with the adventure of a family cycling tour. It’s a really fun way to visit France and its wonderful heritage!
To get to or from your starting point (if, for example, you need to collect your vehicle / handy: link to parking areas in Tours), rail links pass through stations in Orléans, Blois, Amboise, Tours, Chinon, Saumur, Angers and Nantes.

Velos Rigny Usse Tours
©Velos Rigny Usse Tours|ADT Touraine - Jean-Christophe COUTAND MEHEUT
When to do La Loire à Vélo?
The spectacle is magnificent in all seasons, but certain periods prove particularly conducive to discovery. In spring, mild temperatures and awakening nature create an ideal setting for pedalling. Summer remains the most popular season, particularly in July-August when crowds are at their peak around the châteaux.
To take full advantage of the landscapes and visits in a more serene atmosphere, favour the months of May-June or September-October. The autumn colours then sublimate the banks of the Loire, while the cool morning invites departures at first light. The more adventurous will appreciate even in winter, when the wild river reveals a different, more mysterious face.

Practice
Short of equipment? As well as electrically-assisted bikes, bike hire companies can provide accessories such as children’s trailers for families. If you want to travel light, baggage transfer services (Bagafrance…) from one accommodation to another make your adventure even more comfortable. Last but not least, the sites you visit offer a system of lockers for your luggage, and the city of Tours has secure cycle parking facilities.
Roue Libre bike rental in Tours
©Roue Libre bike rental in Tours|ADT Touraine - JC COUTAND
Bike hire
Hôtel Du Cygne, Tours
©Hôtel Du Cygne, Tours|ADT Touraine - JC COUTAND
All accommodation
Restaurant Place Plumereau Ville De Tours
©Restaurant Place Plumereau Ville De Tours|ADT Touraine - JC Coutand
All our restaurants
Clan Chinon Velos Canoes Credit Adt Touraine Jc Coutand 2034 20
©Clan Chinon Velos Canoes Credit Adt Touraine Jc Coutand 2034 20|Jean-Christophe COUTAND-MEHEUT
All visits and activities
Accueil Vélo et rando
Loire A Velo Montlouis Amboise Credit Adt Touraine Jc Coutand 2034 63
©Loire A Velo Montlouis Amboise Credit Adt Touraine Jc Coutand 2034 63|ADT Touraine - JC Coutand
Cycling trips: the daisy holiday

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