Enjoy cycling holidays on “La Loire à vélo” trail! On your way, visit our chateaux and discover all that our nature has to offer
La Loire a Velo trail

As you pedal on 'La Loire à Vélo' trail enjoy the beauty of the Loire River, the last wild river in Europe. On your bike trip, you will be able to discover our natural marvels, passing through vineyards and gardens. Simply follow 'La Loire à Vélo' sign-posts to reach your destination. Check-out our itinerary suggestions below including new routes such as Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire to Blois and find your accommodation. With your family or with friends, whatever your biking skills, this is the ideal way to visit the Loire Valley and its chateaux.

New cycle route in the 'Pays des Châteaux à Vélo' The tourist audio guides
Between vineyards and gardens... In the countryside...
From Tours to Villandry Around Chinon

New cycle route in the 'Pays des Châteaux à Vélo'

From the quays of Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire, the old port of Chambord, this new section will take you to the royal city of Blois. This new 8-kilometer cycling path connects the other existing paths and enables you to enjoy stunning panoramic views on the Loire River. On every bank you will discover picturesque villages and beautiful properties such as the Chateau de Menars that once belonged to Madame de Pompadour, with its gorgeous terraced-gardens created in the 18th century. On your journey you will be able to enjoy the Loire Valley’s remarkable natural heritage and you might spot herons, beavers and cormorants. The Pays des Chateaux a Velo is part of the Loire a Velo itinerary.
The new bicycle rental company Traineurs de Loire offers a new service called 'Cyclo-bus' which means that you can cycle to a chateau and come back by minibus. This is also the only cycle-rental company to rent electric bikes.

Read more about the 'Pays des Châteaux à Vélo'.
Read more about the bicycle rental company.
Where to stay: Hotel de France et de Guise** and Hotel Mercure Blois Centre*** in Blois.

The tourist audio guides

On an mp3 player, an mp3 phone or a PDA you can download free of charge any of the 40 audio commentaries (1 to 3 minutes) of sites along the 'Loire à Vélo' and 'Châteaux à vélo' trails. Explanations, accounts from local personalities and anecdotes will make your visits even more lively and enriching.
This service is also available on your mobile phone by dialing 0033 (1) 72 93 95 05 (cost of the call included in the package). Enter the code 051 000 ('Loire à vélo' circuit) or 052 000 ('Châteaux à vélo' circuit). Next, choose the commentary number you want to listen to. An easy way to visit !

Download the Chateaux à Velo map
Read more about the 'Pays des Châteaux à Vélo'.
Where to stay: Hotel Ibis Centre** in Blois and Chateau du Breuil Hotel*** in Cheverny.

Between vineyards and gardens passing through Orleans : from Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Mesmin to Saint-Denis-en-Val

Your cycling tour starts in the pretty village of Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Mesmin located where the Loire and the Loiret rivers meet. You will find yourself in the heart of the countryside where you will enjoy fabulous views across vineyards, fields and market gardens.
After cycling along the Loire quay side you will reach Orleans, the capital of the Loire Valley. Once in the historical center you can enjoy a stunning view across the Loire River and its islands. Pass the George V Bridge and stop for a break in the deckchairs for a moment of relaxation. The itinerary then brings you back to the countryside as you cycle between the Loire River and artificial lakes.

Download the documentation.
Where to stay: 3 épis Gîtes in Férolles.

In the countryside: from Briare to Beaulieu-sur-Loire

After visiting of the regional capital of river tourism, Briare, with its Canal Bridge, the longest metallic bridge in Europe, the itinerary along the Loire River opens up like a promise. You cycle to Combles where the former side canal connects to the Loire. Sterns, cormorant and other birds accompany you along the way until you can see the island of Ousson in Ousson-sur-Loire where many birds nest. With just a little extra pedaling, you will reach Bonny-sur-Loire, a former fortified village from the Middle Ages. Look up and you will see the St Aignan church from the 12th and 13th centuries. Your trip now comes to an end as you arrive in Beaulieu-sur-Loire with its large suspension bridge connecting the last two villages of the Loiret.

Download the itinerary map.
Where to stay: Hôtel du Cerf** in Briare.

From Tours to Villandry

This itinerary is just 15 km and accessible to all levels. The town of Tours with its medieval streets and picturesque squares is the starting point for this itinerary. From there, the Loire and Cher rivers run through the Garden of France, a region where life sweet. From the ancient districts of Tours to the famous gardens of the Chateau de Villandry, from traditional Loire boats in Savonnieres and Brehemont to the Cabernet Franc vineyards of Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, you are following in the footsteps of Ronsard, Rabelais and Balzac… The oriental-inspired 'Jardin du Soleil' in Villandry forms part of the plant maze and is a haven of peace and meditation.

Download the itinerary map.
Where to stay: Airhotel La Mignardière Campsite**** in Ballan Miré, Kyriad Hotel*** in Tours.

Around Chinon: from Rigny-Usse to Candes-Saint-Martin

This cycling tour departs from 'the Sleeping Beauty's chateau'. You will cycle along the unspoiled banks which are real nature reserves. Shortly after you will see the fortress of Chinon where Joan of Arc and Charles VII met five centuries ago! Leaving the city, head for Chinon vineyards until you reach the Veron where you can visit the ecomuseum. Your cycle tour comes to an end as you arrive in the lovely village of Candes-Saint-Martin along the Loire, one of France’s most beautiful villages.


Download the itinerary map.
Where to stay: Hotel Diderot** in Chinon, Huttopia Campsite*** in Rillé.