Loire Valley Family Biking
From Storybook Castles to Sun-Splashed Countryside
Backroads invites you and your family to explore one of France's most elegant corners, the regal Loire Valley, from the seat of a bicycle. Pedal through lush farmland and forests, spin alongside sunflower fields and famous vineyards, and visit fairy-tale castles whose walls harbor secrets of political intrigue and lavish soirées. Here, your two-wheeled efforts are richly rewarded as history comes alive before your eyes. Add regional cuisine and fun-filled family activities - including a fencing lesson especially for the kids! - and you have a truly memorable experience.
Trip Planning Links
- Fairy-tale castles
- Leonardo da Vinci's home
- Fence with an award-winning fencing master!
- Pedaling across the beautiful French countryside
- An whole afternoon sampling chocolate - a kid's dream come true
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 Cheverny
Pedal along wooded back roads and through small villages 
Ride past vineyards and hamlets to the stunning 17th-century Château de Cheverny, considered by many to be the region's most refined castle, with a dramatic façade and sweeping lawns While the adults visit the Château de Chambord, one of the largest and more extravagant of the Loire castles, kids wield épées under the watchful eye of world-class fencing master, Rudi van Oeveren.
Day 3 Onzain
Pedal to Château de Chaumont, an architectural marvel whose edifice spans periods from late French Gothic to French Renaissance Renowned for its International Garden Festival, the castle's grounds are always a fragrant feast for the senses Kids join a Backroads leader at a local fun park, complete with a ropes course and go-carts.
Days 4-6 Amboise
Visit local vintner Daniel Jarry for a tour of his family's winery and then enjoy a gourmet picnic Join a local guide for a private tour of Château de Chenonceau, where richly woven tapestries, paintings by the Old Masters and lavish gardens hint at this landmark's opulent past While adults tour, the younger set explores the castle grounds, kitchen and the mysterious black room Enjoy the bustle of Amboise Discover the inventions of Leonardo da Vinci at Clos Lucé Kids spend the afternoon at Bigot's confectionery factory sampling chocolate.
- 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.
Other Trips You Might Like:
Classic Premiere Inns Classic Casual Inns
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Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
You all did a wonderful job! The family trip concept worked really well for our needs (balancing my serious-bike-rider needs with those of a 10-year-old and other family members). We will travel with you again. It is obvious that Backroads cares and is passionate about client service.- San Rafael, CA More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Loire Valley tour experts. For biking tours in Europe France, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our Europe France biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe France walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe France multisport tours click here.
Loire Valley Family Biking
SIMPLICITY AND ELEGANCE: Casual Inns
Chateau du Breuil
Cheverny (2 nights) Perfectly situated amid the Loire Valley castles, this fairy-tale-style manor offers guest rooms with pastel décor and antique furnishings, and an inviting outdoor swimming pool.
Chateau des Tertres
Onzain (1 night) This classic mid-19th-century nobleman's house, surrounded by wooded parkland, is now a charming family-run hotel with welcoming hosts.
Chateau de Pray
Azay le Rideau (2 nights) Nestled amid trees on a terraced slope overlooking the Loire River, this turreted castle features antique furnishings and swimming pool.
Loire Valley Family 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 1 1 Route Option Available
- 14 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 12, 23, 49 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 16, 26, 44 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 20, 38, 46 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 11, 30, 41 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 13 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain