Loire River Cycle Path Orléans to Chinon
- Easy-going cycling along the renowned Loire River
- Explore the royal towns of Amboise and Blois
- Visit the historic Châteaux of Villandry and Azay-le-Rideau
- Riverside picnics with local cheeses, delicacies and wine
- Discover medieval Chinon, the main wine area of the Loire Valley
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive OrleansThe historical, military stronghold of Orléans is only an hour by train south of Paris. Enjoy a stroll through the sophisticated boulevards. Sample a plate of rillettes (shredded pate) at a pavement café and explore the elegant boulevards. You can also see many monuments dedicated to the war heroine, Joan of Arc.
Located within a pedestrian area, the hotel has 25 characterful rooms, a gym, small garden to relax and public car park near the hotel if required.
Ease yourself gently into the pace of the Loire. Pedal with the river's flow, cycling east to the charming town of Beaugency. The 14th century Château Beaugency dominates this sleepy town, and its hanging gardens are a historical symbol of wealth and pleasure. Later in the afternoon find a café for a traditional homemade tarte tatin et crème anglais.
Approximate Ascent: 5m / Descent: 43m
Located in a former coaching inn, our three-star hotel is a charming haven and an ideal place to stay during all your pleasure or business trips. At only 150 kilometres from Paris, our hotel welcomes you into central Beaugency, only three minutes from the SNCF train station.
Built in the 11th century, Beaugency Abbey has survived several wars, a revolution. Since the early 20th century the Grand Abbey became a hotel and has been hosting visitors to the Loire region for almost 100 years.
You are assured the warmest of welcomes at this 18th Century property located in the heart of Beaugency, close to the historic attractions of this splendid location. The hotel has been fully renovated and refurbished to provide all that one would require for a most comfortable and enjoyable stay. All rooms are en suite and come complete with comfortable beds, flat screen TVs and free WIFI throughout. There is also a licensed bar in which to relax at the end of your day’s adventure.
Continue west to the royal town of Blois. Rising on the northern riverbank, Blois boasts the Royal Chateau, whose grand wings span architectural periods of Gothic, Renaissance and Classical periods. The old town of Blois is a delight to explore on foot, where delicious boulangeries and cafes pepper the ancient winding streets.
There is also an option today to extend the ride to visit the Cherveny Chateau.
Approximate Ascent: 4m / Descent: 17m
The Hotel Anne de Bretagne is a charming accommodation in the heart of the historic centre and located only a few steps from the Royal Château of Blois. You are assured the warmest of welcomes at this lovely property. The rooms are elegant and come complete with all one would expect for a most comfortable stay. To rest and rejuvante in advance of your cycling adventure you may wish to enjoy a glass of wine at the bar or simply relax in the cosy lounge, It is important to note that in keeping with the historic ambiance of the property there is no elevator or air conditioning.
Offering inner courtyard views, la Forge du Roy is an accommodation located in Blois, 300 metres from Blois Castle and 700 metres from Blois Train Station.
Featuring garden and city views, this guest house also offers free WiFi.
At the guest house, each unit has a desk. Some rooms includes a terrace and a cable TV, as well as seating area. Every Bedrooms includes a private bathroom with a hair dryer and free toiletries.
There is a coffee shop and bar.
Located 300m from Blois Castle, Maison du Thomas is a charming town house, in central Blois. Run by Guillaume Thomas and his family, they are always on hand to answer any questions. Breakfast is a particularly delicious here, with local breads, preserves and cheese served fresh.
An easy ride along the Loire River will see you arrive at the elegant town of Amboise. From its centrally located imposing château take a stroll to Chateau Close du Luce, residence and final resting place of Leonardo da Vinci.
Approximate Ascent: 110m / Descent: 136m
A parkside manor with relaxing gardens and pool, Manoir du Parc is only 10 minute walk from the Royal Chateau of Amboise. An easy evening stroll from the old town, traditionally furnished provide a good nights sleep.
Maison Hulotte is a Tuffeau stone mansion in the historic center of Amboise. It was completely renovated in 2021, with attention to detail, in a “French Family House” spirit. Large common areas are available to guests (dining room, living room, pottery studio with relaxation area and enclosed garden).
Today’s cycle route heads through the atmospheric vineyards of Montlouis. Here you can discover the numerous producers of sparkling sweet white wine. Perfect for picnic refreshment! On arrival into Tours, cycle or stroll into the city's heart to see the old quarters, which is home to the famous Place Plumereau and timbered houses.
Approximate Ascent: 43m / Descent: 53m
The Grand Hotel's imposing building with 105 rooms stands in the centre of Tours; Rooms have been renovated and redecorated in a contemporary style inspired by the 1930s. Comfortable and spacious, they offer a bathroom with a shower and/or bathtub, a toilet and a hair dryer. What it lacks in charm it makes up for in location right by the train station and the bus terminal, which are in the town centre.
Luxury guesthouse La Maison Jules is set in a charming 19th century mansion with garden, in the historic heart of Tour. Entirely renovated the guest house offers a peaceful haven a few meters away from the train station and the cathedral, combining the elegance of its century and contemporary comfort. The house has five guest rooms, all individually decorated and distributed over two floors, accessed by an antique staircase.
Please note: The owner of this lovely guest house is not able to carry heavy weight so if the room you have been allocated is on the second floor the suitcase will wait for you at reception.
The hotel is located in the heart of an 18th century residence (18 rooms on 3 different floors no elevator). It is in the centre of the historic centre of the Vieux Tours, between Rue Colbert (where the best restaurants are located) and Rue de la Scellerie (quartier des Antiquaires), near the Cathedral, the Fine Arts Museum, the castle and the banks of the Loire with its taverns!
Depart the thriving streets of Tours as you cycle to the village of Villandry, home to an exquisite French-style Renaissance chateau with show-stopping gardens. Then, at Saché, there’s the chateau where novelist Honoré de Balzac wrote some of his finest works. Finally, on arrival at Azay le Rideau, visit its renaissance château or head for one of the terrace cafes on the square for post-ride refreshment.
Approximate Ascent: 61m / Descent: 63m
With a few metre of the elegant Chateau Azay le Rideau, this 16th century property was formerly a school and real tennis courts. Only a stone’s throw from relaxing cafes, you’re never far from relaxing refreshment.
Centrally located this 18th century property provides easy access to the chateau of Azay le Rideau and the inviting pavement cafes and bars peppered around the town square.
Heading north from Azay, take a gentle cycle along the River L’Indre, rejoining the Loire at Brehmont. Further east, visit the fairy tale Chateau d’Usse said to be the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty. Your final destination of Chinon is perfect for a riverside glass of local cabernet franc wine.
Approximate Ascent: 12m / Descent: 27m
This simple, family-run hotel from the 17th Century offers a calm elegance in the city of Chinon. The Hôtel Diderot, with its courtyard garden and white limestone walls, is a 12-minute walk from Chinon Royal Fortress. To preserve the silence and the architecture of the building, the rooms do not have air conditioning but are fitted with high tech fans, shutters and thick limestone walls to keep the heat out.
Please note: some rooms are located on the first and second floor and the accommodation does not have a lift.
This charming 19th-century house is located in Chinon, in the heart of the Regional Natural Park Loire-Anjou-Touraine and the Loire Valley. All rooms are equiped with air-conditioned, a satellite TV, a telephone, and a private bathroom with a bath or a shower. Guests can relax on the shadowed terrace, by the garden.
Hotel Le Lion d'Or is located on the banks of the River Vienne in the medieval city of Chinon.
Chinon is a wonderfully relaxed riverside town to finish off Loire River riding. Take a morning stroll around the town before continuing your onward travel plans.
This trip has a carbon score of 6kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 6kg is equivalent to 4.5 ham and cheese sandwiches from the store. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?Perfectly suited to cyclists who are venturing on their first cycling trip, or keen cyclists simply looking for a laid-back pace on flat terrain. Riding a predominately flat, dedicated cycleway, follow the Loire River through royal towns and villages, discovering chateaux and famous regional food and wine. Stay in centrally located boutique B&B’s and hotels, picked for their traditional French hospitality.
Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.
Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling
Solo Travellers
The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years
This cycling tour is graded easy. The grade is determined on the basis of the entire trip. Individual days may vary in terms of difficulty, i.e. some rides may be slightly more difficult or easier than the overall grade. The route follows a combination of dedicated cycle paths, quiet riverside roads and urban streets.
Perfectly suited to cyclists who are venturing on their first cycling trip, or keen cyclists simply looking for a laid-back pace on flat terrain. Daily distances range between 30km and 45km each day.
Each evening will be spent in boutique B&B’s and 3* hotels. We will always try and accommodate you at the locations detailed below, but on occasion, especially during peak season, we do use alternate accommodation of equal or higher standard. Examples of accommodaiton are listed below.
Single Rooms
If you require single rooms within your party or are travelling as a solo cyclist single rooms are available subject to a supplementary payment.Meals
Breakfast is included each day at your hotel and usually consists of fresh pastries, breads, fruits, yogurts, cheeses, meats and granola. If you have special dietary requirements do let us know at the time of booking. Lunches and dinners are not included. One of our favourite experiences of the Loire is to pick up local cheeses and boulangerie breads for a riverside picnic. As you will be staying the heart of each village or town, there are extensive cafes and restaurants to choose from in the evening. You will find a number of recommendations in your information pack.You will be provided with detailed route notes and maps to help you find your way. Most of the time you will be cycling on quiet country roads and dedicated cycle paths. You will also cycle for short distances through busy urban environments. Please be mindful of all road users, adhering to local traffic laws at all times.
- 24/7 telephone support from our UK office
- 7 Nights in boutique B&B’s or 3* hotels
- 7 Breakfasts
- Baggage transfer
- Detailed information pack, route notes and maps
- GPX tracks and access to our GPS navigation app
- Travel to Orléans / from Chinon
- Bike hire (standard hybrid)
- Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks
- Chateaux entrance fees (payable locally)
- Personal equipment
- Travel insurance (required)
- Additional nights along the route
- Bike hire (standard hybrid)
This trip is available to start on any day from April to the end of September and is subject to availability. Peak months in Loire are June, July and August so we would suggest contacting us as soon as your plans are finalised.
Air: Paris Orly and Paris Charles De Gaulle airports connect to all major European and worldwide cities. From Paris, it is possible to connect with Orléans via train (approx 1hr journey).
Tours Val de Loire is located in the heart of the Loire and is serviced by Ryanair from both the UK and European airports. Journey time from Tours is approx 30mins by airport bus, with onward train services connecting to Orléans (approx 1hr30mins).
Ferry: The French ports of St Malo and Le Havre are an approximate 4hr drive. The popular port of Calais is also a 4hr drive. Direct Ferries have details of route crossings and sailing times to the UK.
Train: Onward travel to Tours is around 1hr journey time and regular services to Paris are between 1hr30mins and 2hrs30mins. For full details of timetables and costs can be accessed via The Trainline Europe.
Ferry: The closest ferry ports to Chinon are St Malo and Le Havre and are an approximate 3hrs 30mins drive. The popular port of Calais is a 5hr drive. Direct Ferries have details of route crossings and sailing times to the UK.
Baggage transfers are included in the price of your trip. We ask you to keep your baggage to a maximum of 1 bag per person (maximum weight 20 kg). If you require excess baggage allowance do contact us prior to travel.
The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and trousers), sun hat and sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard cycling gear such as good shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.
Trek 7.3 hybrid bikes are available for hire. All bikes are equipped with a pannier, trip computer and spare inner tube along with a pump.
Many people also choose to hire an e-bike. The added battery power provides assistance when required. For more information on how EBikes work click here.
If you’d like to hire a bike, please let us know the height and frame size you currently ride. Alternatively we’re happy to answer any questions you have about the hire bike.
If you would prefer to bring your own bicycle please ensure it is thoroughly serviced and is an appropriate hybrid or touring bike for this trip.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Bike that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.
This cycling tour is graded easy with daily distances between 30 and 45 km each day. It is perfectly suited to cyclists that are venturing on their first cycling trip or perhaps haven’t ridden for a few years. It is also ideal for keen cyclists simply looking for laid back pace on flat terrain. The route follows a combination of dedicated cycle paths, quiet riverside roads and urban streets.
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as this holiday is extremely popular especially in the summer months. You can start this holiday on any day of the week.
Spring in the Loire offers pleasant warm days with flora in full bloom. Into the summer months (June-August), daytime temperatures are pleasantly hot and verdant river banks provide perfect picnic spots. Into September the Loire embraces the wine harvest so you may well come across a festival or two.
Baggage transfer as per your itinerary is included in the price of your trip. We ask you to keep your baggage to a maximum of 1 bag per person (maximum weight 20kg).
You can use public transport or local taxis to continue to your next overnight stop. These costs are payable locally. Details of alternative transport will be listed in your information pack. Your accommodation hosts will also be able to help you with any local transport questions.
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