Touring Bike
£95 for 5 days
A shorter introduction to the Loire Valley, tracing the river from Orléans to Tours across five easy days in the saddle. The route takes in the medieval centre of Beaugency, the vast parkland surrounding Château de Chambord, and the atmospheric streets of Blois, before reaching Amboise, where Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years.
The final stage follows the River Cher to the enchanting Château de Chenonceau before finishing in Tours. A perfect short break for a first taste of the Loire's châteaux, vineyards and riverside villages.
Select the tour you are interested in to view the itinerary.
Individual arrival in Orléans, a charming city on the banks of the Loire River. After checking in, we recommend exploring the old town, where cobbled streets wind past half-timbered houses and the grand Holy Cross Cathedral.
Begin your adventure riding along the southern bank of the Loire on a mix of bike paths and quiet roads. Visit the Cathedral of Cléry-Saint-André and the picturesque medieval town of Meung-sur-Loire before continuing to Beaugency and its unique ‘inverted boat’ roof. Depending on your accommodation, continue on to the quiet riverside village of St. Dyé.
Ride through the vast parkland of Château de Chambord, then follow the forested edge of the Boulogne woods. Cross the elegant stone bridge into Blois and enjoy its atmospheric streets, cathedral, and namesake castle. A shorter 25km version is also possible.
Cycle through forest and riverside villages to Chaumont-sur-Loire, home to the castle favoured by Catherine de’ Medici. Continue to Amboise, where Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years - you can visit both his home and the château that houses his tomb.
Today’s ride takes you to the remarkable Château de Chenonceau and its manicured gardens, before continuing to the riverside town of Tours. Pause at the Château de Nitray for a tasting or tour if time allows. A shorter 30km version, which does not pass through Chenonceau, is also possible.
After breakfast, your tour comes to an end.
We recommend flying to Paris (CDG) and returning from Tours Val De Loire Airport (TUF).
£95 for 5 days
£235 for 5 days
£15 for 5 days
Getting to Orléans
By train: Orléans has no commercial airport, so most travellers fly into Paris and continue by train. Direct services run from Paris Gare d'Austerlitz to Orléans in around an hour, with frequent departures throughout the day.
By train from the UK: Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord (around 2 hours 20 minutes), cross Paris to Gare d'Austerlitz, then continue by train to Orléans. Total journey time is around 4 to 4.5 hours.
By car: Orléans is around 3.5 to 4 hours from Calais via the A26 to Paris and then the A10 south.
Getting home from Tours
By plane: Tours Val de Loire Airport (TUF) has seasonal Ryanair flights to London Stansted, currently running on Wednesdays and Sundays between late March and late October. Flight time is around 1 hour 25 minutes. This route has been cut and reinstated in recent seasons, so it's worth checking current availability before booking.
By train: Tours St Pierre des Corps station has frequent TGV services to Paris Montparnasse in around an hour. From there, cross Paris to Gare du Nord for a Eurostar connection back to London.
Bikes are not included. You are welcome to bring your own bike or hire one. Please see our bike hire section for details.
Flights are not included. Please refer to the what's included section for full details.
We will confirm your booking within 48 hours of receiving your enquiry. Please wait for confirmation before booking flights or making other travel arrangements.
Most itineraries include cycling on most days, with some rest or shorter days built in. Please check the itinerary for day-by-day details.
The latest you can book is 9 days before departure. This gives us enough time to confirm arrangements and accommodation.
You will receive full travel details, including accommodation, meeting points and local contacts, 3 to 5 weeks before departure.
