Loire Valley Biking
A Journey Through France's Regal Touraine
Just southwest of Paris is a refined domain, where magnificent châteaux sleep on the banks of slowly moving rivers and vineyards stretch alongside gently rolling sunflower fields and forested lanes. Explore this elegant corner of France by bicycle and you'll be richly rewarded. Pedal through lush farmland and sheltering woods, spin alongside famous vineyards and sun-drenched fields and visit fairy-tale castles whose walls harbor secrets of political intrigue and sinful soirées. Welcoming accommodations, tasty regional cuisine and acclaimed wines all add a flourish to this expérience nonpareil.
Trip Planning Links
- Ride quiet rural roads to visit French architectural landmarks
- Relax at gracious castle-hotels
- Wine tastings of local vintages
- Renaissance, medieval and classical châteaux
- Experience fascinating French history where it actually unfolded
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 chinon
Meet in Tours 
Visit Fontevraud's medieval Benedictine abbey before biking a rolling route through the beautiful French countryside Pedal through the Chinon Forest to Château Ussé, a 15th-century castle believed to have inspired Charles Perrault's Sleeping Beauty Explore Château de Chinon, where Joan of Arc first met Charles VII in 1429 Savor a private tasting of Chinon wines.
Day 3 Montlouis-sur-Loire
Embark on a leisurely ride to Azay-le-Rideau, set on the banks of the Indre River, and enjoy a bountiful picnic lunch Take a self-guided tour of the town's château, considered one of the most magnificent in France.
Days 4-6 Chissay-en-Touraine
Pedal to the breathtaking Château d'Azay le Rideau Visit Clos Lucé, the house where Leonardo da Vinci spent the final four years of his life Join a local guide for a private tour of the magical Château de Chenonceau, which spans the Cher River and presents lavish gardens and an interior adorned with richly woven tapestries and dazzling artwork Pedal along rolling hills to Château de Nitray, built in the 15th and 16th centuries, for a tour and lunch Take one final spin through France's farmland and forests.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
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Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
I appreciated the real backroads we traveled on and felt each day as if we were moving through postcards. Lovely.- Littleriver, CA More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
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Loire Valley Biking
ELEGANT SIMPLICITY: Casual Inns
Hotel Diderot
Chinon (2 nights) Built in the 15th century, this family-run hotel exudes friendliness and warmth and is conveniently located within walking distance of the town center.
Chateau de la Bourdaisiere
Montlouis-sur-Loire (1 night) Nestled on 140 acres in the heart of the Loire Valley, this 16th-century castle welcomes you with a beautiful outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts and comfortable guest rooms.
Chateau de Chissay
Chissay-en-Touraine (2 nights) This former royal residence, surrounded by a park and forest, features delightful rooms and an outdoor swimming pool.
Loire Valley Biking
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insider Trips | Explore at a leisurely pace—on village walks, market strolls, art history excursions, hands-on cooking classes and more. | ||
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Day 1
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- 22 miles
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 16, 36, 48 miles
- 0 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 2 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 23, 42, 52 miles
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 12, 26, 50 miles
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 18, 29, 44 miles
Day 6
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- 22 miles