Itinerary through the châteaux of Touraine
La Loire à Vélo: an itinerary for exploring the Châteaux of the Loire.
With map in hand, set off on a week-long tour of the châteaux of Touraine. Day by day, discover the stages of this tour, with breathtaking views and gourmet stops.
Famille en Vélos au Château de Chenonceau
vélos en forêt de chinon - TouraineEach day has its own stage
Saturday – Amboise, at the heart of the Renaissance
Your journey from home will take up part of your first day. If you arrive early, you may have time to visit one of the three châteaux in the afternoon: the royal château of Amboise, Clos Lucé, and the royal estate of Château Gaillard.
Dinner at Le Lion d’Or (Maître Restaurateur, using local and seasonal produce).
Overnight accommodation: La vie en rose bed and breakfast, Le Clos d’Amboise hotel, or the “bivouac” or fully-equipped tents at the Île d’Or campsite.
Sunday – 20 km, 1h30 – Chenonceaux, between nature and splendour
Well rested, devote your morning to another visit, or do some food shopping at the big market in Amboise. After a gourmet stop at the Bigot chocolate factory, pick up your hire bike (equipped with panniers, if necessary, which you can return to another location), and set off for the village of Chenonceaux (via part of the loop 47 route known as the “voie royale”), through the national forest of Amboise. If you’re not too tired when you arrive, you should have time for a little Canadian canoeing.
Dinner and overnight stay at theAuberge du bon laboureur (La clef verte label), or in a tent at the River Camp.
Monday – 35 km, 2h30 – Towards Tours, the capital of Touraine
This morning’s visit takes you to the park and château of Chenonceau (no “x” in the château’s name, unlike the village!). Steeped in history, each room is also adorned with magnificent bouquets, created by Jean-François Bouchet, floral scenographer and… Meilleur Ouvrier de France! In the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely cycle ride along the Coeur de France cycle route to the capital of Tours.
Overnight at The People Hostel (a concept halfway between a hotel and a youth hostel) or at the Only Camp Tours Saint-Avertin campsite.
Tuesday – 30 km, 2h – From Tours to Azay-le-Rideau via Villandry
For once, we won’t linger on this tour of the châteaux of the Loire by bike: if you want to visit Tours, you’ll have to come back another time! In the morning, we take the Loire à Vélo route, heading for Savonnières (lunch at the guinguette La soupette de Mémère, near the Cher) and then the extraordinary gardens of Villandry. After this sightseeing break, set course for Azay-le-Rideau.
Dinner at L’Aigle d’Or and overnight at the hotel(Grand Monarque or Biencourt) or Le Sabot campsite.
Loire A Velo Montlouis Amboise Credit Adt Touraine Jc Coutand 2034 81
Cave de la Sibylle à PanzoultWednesday – 15km, 1 h – Towards Langeais, in the footsteps of History
After a visit to the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau (Centre des Monuments Nationaux) or L’Islette (where Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel fell in love), cycle back up the Loire to your next base camp: a campsite at Loire et Châteaux, a night on the Loire aboard the toue Reine, or the pretty chambres d’hôtes at Domaine du Val Sauvage. Two addresses to remember for gourmets:
- Au coin des halles: refined dishes and great value for money;
- La cabane à matelot: a Loire fisherman, Romain Gadais supplies his restaurant, which boasts a lovely view of the royal river.
Thursday – 28km, 1h45 – Chinon, fortress and vineyards
Medieval on one side, Renaissance on the other, the Château de Langeais has many facets to seduce you, not to mention its extensive wooded grounds. It was here that the marriage of Anne of Brittany to Charles VIII sealed the integration of Brittany into the kingdom of France. This may well be on your mind as you wind your way towards Chinon, in the heart of its imposing vineyards.
Dinner at Au Local, then overnight at theHôtel Diderot, or in a canvas bungalow on the Ile Auger campsite.
Friday – 30km, 2h – Heading for Saumur: between fortresses and the gentle way of life
Richard the Lionheart, Charles VII,Joan of Arc and Jacques de Molay (Grand Master of the Templar Order) all passed through the royal fortress of Chinon, whose high ramparts dominate the Vienne River. These walls have many stories to tell.
For the last cycling section of your week, three choice stops await you: Candes-Saint-Martin and Montsoreau (two neighbouring villages, members of the Most Beautiful Villages in France), and Turquant, Petite Cité de Caractère.
Saturday
One last stop on the route of the Loire Valley châteaux by bike? Saumur, and then it’s time to take the train home!
Candes Saint Martin Credit Jc Coutand Meheut 2027 5
