Home > From Blois to Angers: Fairytale Castles Along the Loire River

From Blois to Angers: Fairytale Castles Along the Loire River

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The magnificent Château de Chambord, a hunting lodge with a mere 440 rooms Cycle on the bikeway La Loire à vélo This cycling tour allows you to discover the most famous Loire Valley castles
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From Blois to Angers: Fairytale Castles Along the Loire River

  • Level
  • PriceFrom 1,055 euros
  • DAY7 nights / 8 days

More info: Receive detailed hotel list, bike specs, and route description

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Description

No amusement park comes close to the Loire Valley, an area so rich in historic and architectural heritage that the whole region has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Where else can you bicycle past Sleeping Beauty's Castle? The real one — not the Disney version! Here you’ll also find the “Castle of Love”, a structure that not only inspires fairytales but served as home to Good King René of Anjou, who penned his own tales of gallant knights. 

Bicycling is the perfect way to discover the storybook charm of grand châteaux and little half-timbered villages alike. We've kept the mileage to a minimum to allow you to visit these sites in depth and to relax in the pastoral setting that appears to spring straight from a romantic's daydream. Or perhaps a few different daydreams — those of 14th and 15th-century French kings who seem to have shared a favorite pastime: attempting to outdo all other noblemen by building more and more intricate chateaux here.

If your time constraints don't allow you to spend a whole week visiting the Loire Valley region, keep in mind that we also offer a 4 night/5 day Royal Short Escape through the Loire Valley.

Itinerary

D1Arrival in Blois

 

Your tour begins in Blois, a small town located a mere 40 minutes’ train ride from Tours (or 2 hours from Paris). We can’t recommend enough your early arrival to allow plenty of time for exploring Blois and its Renaissance castle. Your stay here is a proper introduction to your discovery tour of this fascinating region!

D2From Blois to Cheverny via Chambord 41 km/25 miles, 170 meters/555 ft of climbing

 

Your trip begins with a first loop that will take you to the impressive Chateau de Chambord, one of the do-not-miss sites in the Loire Valley. From Blois, you will follow the river until Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire; here, a pedal upwards will take you to the fairytale Chateau de Chambord and its immense wooded park. Stop to admire this iconic Renaissance site and pay particular attention to the intricate architectural details—if you like you can visit and marvel at its splendid interior as well!

 

D3Cheverny— Amboise via Beauregarde: 51 km/32 miles, 280 meters/920 ft of climbing. Via Fougères: 60 km/37 mi; 270 m/885 ft of climbing;

 

This morning you’ll leave Cheverny. One highly recommended stop along the way is the Chateau de Chaumont-sur-Loire. The Loire River will lead you to Amboise. One of its treasures is the magnificent royal castle, the resting place of Leonardo da Vinci and home to an impressive collection of Gothic and Renaissance furnishings. Also in Amboise is Clos-Lucé, the last residence of Leonardo da Vinci.

Optional additional night in Amboise – Rest day or loop to Chenonceau (45 or 70 km)

If you’d like a rest day or a chance to visit more castles, we can arrange an extra night for you in Amboise. From here a loop ride through the woods and along the river will take you to a real Renaissance masterpiece, the Chateau de Chenonceau. The illustrious women who lived there add to its sultry mystique! After your visit, head back to Amboiseor take a little detour to an underground city and mushroom cave near the town of Bourré.

D4Amboise — Tours Via Vouvray: 34 km/21 miles, 180 meters/590 ft of climbing

 

Following your detailed directions, you will then ride through the vineyards of Vouvray, an area that produces exquisite wine. We’re sure you won’t mind stopping for a tasting!

Finish the day’s ride in Tours, a vibrant city with a beautiful cathedral and its famous Old Town filled with medieval half-timbered buildings.

D5Tours — Chinon via Langeais 67 km/42 miles, 330 meters/1,080 ft of climbing

 

After breakfast, you'll head to Savonnières and the "Grottes Pétrifiantes" (petrified caves). Villandry and its famous gardens is your next must-see site. Another suggested stop is SachéHonoré-de-Balzac's home during his most productive years.
If you’re not interested in touring a specific castle or museum, you can always opt for a three-hour lunch at an outdoor café! However, you should definitely consider stopping at Langeais, one of the most outstanding castles of the Loire Valley.

On your way to Chinon, you’ll pass by Sleeping Beauty’s castle in Ussé — the real 15th-century castle that inspired Charles Perrault to pen the fairy tale. Once in Chinon, admire the sprawling fortress where Joan of Arc met Charles VII and convinced him to be crowned king in Reims.

D6Chinon — Saumur 50 km/31 miles, 280 meters/920 ft of climbing

 

You'll probably want to stroll through medieval Chinon before getting on your bicycle. Do so, and on your way to Saumur, you’ll have the opportunity to sample Chinon’s claim to fame: its wine! The imposing Abbey-de-Fontevraud, one of the greatest monastic settlements founded in the 12th century, will provide a welcome stop.

The Loire will lead you to Saumur, a well-put-together city (hometown of fashion design icon Coco Chanel!) whose history includes castles (of course) as well as a World War II battle. The wine here isn’t half bad, either.

D7Saumur — Angers 66 km/41 miles, 350 meters/1,150 ft of climbing

 

Your final riding day will take you to the lovely city of Angers. An early arrival will allow for an easy-paced afternoon visiting Good King Rene of Anjou's “Castle of Love," the retreat where he enjoyed reading and writing (and spending time with his beloved bride).

There’s also a very interesting tapestry museum you could visit unless you prefer to spend your last day buying souvenirs and writing envy-inducing postcards to family and friends.

D8Departure from Angers

 

After breakfast, depart Angers at the time of your choice.

Booking & Prices

  • Option A
  • 2- and 3-star properties

  • 1,055 euros per person in April and October. Single supplement is 370 euros
  • 1,075 euros per person in May, June and September. Single supplement is 385 euros
  • 1,110 euros per person in July and August. Single supplement is 400 euros
  • Option A+
  • 1 night in a 2-star property "with character," 6 nights in 3- and 4-star properties 

  • 1,255 euros per person in April and October. Single supplement is 470 euros
  • 1,275 euros per person in May, June and September. Single supplement is 485 euros
  • 1,295 euros per person in July and August. Single supplement is 500 euros
  • Option A++
  • 3- and 4-star properties

  • 1,555 euros per person in April and October. Single supplement is 670 euros
  • 1,575 euros per person in May, June and September. Single supplement is 685 euros
  • 1,595 euros per person in July and August. Single supplement is 700 euros

These prices include:

  • 7 nights’ accommodation 
  • Daily breakfast
  • Luggage transfers
  • 1 wine cellar visit & tasting on Day 4
  • Roadbook provided as an app (Android and iPhone) with downloadable directions/roadbook (no data is necessary) – Cell phone holder not provided (bring your own).
  • Tourist information provided as part of the app. 
  • Assistance if necessary (you will be provided with our local rep’s mobile number)
  • All tax and service charges

These prices do not include:

  • Nominal city taxes, to be paid in cash directly at each hotel
  • Expenses of a personal nature
  • Travel insurance
  • Bicycle rentals. Adult hybrid bikes are available at the price of 150 euros per bike. Gravel bikes are available at the rate of 185 euros per bike. E-bikes are available at the rate of 270 euros per bike. This price includes the drop-off fee for the bike’s return to Blois.

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