The palaces of the Loire

A round-trip through the magical Loire Valley.

The palaces of the Loire are the main focus of this 8 day trip. Discover on your bike the palace Villandry with it´s terraces and gardens, the palace of Azay-le-Rideau, palace Chaumont, palace Ambois and probably the most beautiful palace of the Loire - palace Chenonceaux.

1. day  Arrival Tours

Arrival by train possible/garage at the hotel EUR 35,. per week/in the afternoon information on the tour and handing out of the bikes/welcome with the guide and dinner.

2. day  Chinon/Surrounding 60 km

The river Cher accompanies you on your way to the palace Villandry with it´s terraces and gardens. Of course a visit to these famous gardens is a must. Shaded walking paths, arbours, fountains and artistically planted vegetable patches take your breath away. After few kilometres you reach the palace in Langeais and soon also the palace Ussé, known as "The palace of the Sleeping Beauty". Cycling through small villages and side roads you reach Chinon.

3. day  Fontevraud round trip 55 km

Your cycling route brings you to Fontervraud l'Abbey. Nowhere else in the world you find a medieval monastery completely preserved like Fontevraud.

4. day  Azay-le-Rideau 40 km

You leave Chinon with it´s medieval streets. Your route takes you through vineyards and secluded villages to the palace of Azay-le-Rideau. "A diamond with thousand facets, set in the Indre" writes Balzac. You spend the night here, directly in the village and therefore you have the opportunity to enjoy the magic of the palace with it´s cultural events.

5. day  Chenonceaux/Surrounding 60 km

Another highlight lies ahead: you follow the river Indre through the romantic river scenery to Montbazon. You have to cope with a gradient before you roll to the bank of the river Cher. Suddenly it appears in front of you: palace Chenonceaux . probably the most beautiful palace of the Loire.

6. day  Blois 45 km/75 km

Today you have two choices: the shorter journey which takes you through the pretty scenic route of Touraine to palace Chaumont, and further on along the romantic route of the Loire towards Blois.
Or your second longer variant: via Montrichard and Cheverny to palace Chambord. From far away you can see the towers of the largest and most beautiful residence of the Loire shimmering through the trees. You cycle further on to Blois.

7. day  Tours 70 km

The river flows peacefullyon between golden shimmering sandbanks. The rock apartments, which are built into the soft chalk are characteristic for the region. You cross the Loire to visit the "queen" of all palaces - palace Ambois. Five kings and a Roman emperor lived here. You cycle along hidden paths through vineyards and past wine-cellars via Rochcorbon to Tours.

8. day  Tours departure

Your journey to the palaces of the Loire ends with one last breakfast.