Loire Valley by E-bike: Blois to Saumur

Make your own way by train to the  enchanting town of Blois for the beginning of your adventure. History comes alive in its narrow streets. You’ll be captivated by the pale stone facades, slate roofs, and a serene atmosphere that evokes a bygone era. If time permits, be sure to explore the Royal Château de Blois, a former residence of French kings that beautifully showcases the evolution of French architecture from the Middle Ages to the 17th century. The château is also renowned for its stunning spiral staircase, which exemplifies Renaissance design, and is steeped in fascinating tales of royal intrigue and artistry, making it a must-see landmark.

Leaving Blois behind, you’ll cycle along the southern bank of the Loire River, traversing a picturesque landscape of rolling vineyards and idyllic countryside. Stop in Candé-sur-Beuvron to experience its charming village atmosphere before returning to the majestic Loire. Along the route, the elegant Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire rises high above the river, surrounded by exquisite gardens that reflect its Renaissance heritage. As you enter the historic region of Touraine, indulge in a visit to a local winery to savour a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, celebrated for its vibrant flavours. The day culminates in Amboise, where you can explore the grandeur of the Château d’Amboise, a royal residence that showcases stunning panoramic views, and visit the nearby Clos-Lucé, the final home of the genius Leonardo da Vinci, rich with his inventions and artistic legacy.

Ascent: 341m, descent 345m

Meals: B

Today’s ride takes you from the medieval charm of Amboise to the breathtaking Château de Chenonceau, elegantly spanning the Cher River with its five distinctive arches. This iconic castle, originally gifted by King Henri II to his mistress Diane de Poitiers, was later reclaimed by his widow, Queen Catherine de Médicis, who enhanced its exquisite gardens. After exploring the castle’s opulent halls and enchanting grounds, continue cycling through the renowned Montlouis wine region, celebrated for its exceptional wines cultivated in the ideal microclimate at the confluence of the Loire and Cher rivers. A visit to a local wine cellar provides a perfect opportunity for tasting.

From there, follow a scenic route to Tours, known as the “Garden of France.” Discover its impressive Saint-Gatien Cathedral, the contemporary Olivier Debré Art Centre, and lively markets filled with local produce and artisan goods, all embodying the region’s vibrant culture.

Ascent 419m, descent 434m

Meals: B

Leaving Tours behind, you’ll cycle alongside the romantic Cher River, gliding through the picturesque village of Savonnières, renowned for its enchanting caves and hidden underground lake. Soon, you’ll reach Villandry, home to a stunning château celebrated for its exquisite gardens, which epitomise 18th-century French elegance. Continue your ride to the charming village of Azay-le-Rideau, where another magnificent castle awaits, reflecting the region’s rich heritage. As you pedal along the high bank of the Loire River, immerse yourself in breathtaking views of the winding river and its wildlife-rich islands. Your day concludes at Huismes, after passing the fairytale Château de Rigny-Ussé, famously said to have inspired the tale of Sleeping Beauty, adding a touch of magic to your journey.

Ascent 484m, descent 448m

Meals: B

Today’s journey unfolds with breathtaking panoramas as you cycle toward the enchanting village of Candes-St-Martin, where the Vienne and Loire rivers converge. This area is the heart of Anjou, renowned for its exquisite wines and unique troglodyte dwellings, which are fascinating homes carved into the soft tufa rock. After exploring the historic Fontevraud Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage site once home to Eleanor of Aquitaine, choose between a tranquil riverside path or a more challenging route through lush vineyards. Both paths lead you to the stunning Château de Saumur, majestically perched above the Loire River, where you can admire its impressive façade and rich history, making it a perfect finale to your day.

Ascent 752m, descent 801m

Meals: B

After breakfast, your Loire Valley cycling adventure concludes. If time permits, delve into the equestrian charm of Saumur, home to the prestigious Cadre Noir, where France’s elite horsemen are trained in the art of classical riding. Stroll through the town’s historic centre, characterised by striking white tuffeau stone buildings and the majestic Château de Saumur, which offers panoramic views of the Loire River.

Meals: B

• Charming accommodation with en-suite bathrooms
• Daily continental style breakfast
• High quality e-bike with charger
• Helmet and basic bike insurance
• Handlebar bag and/or panniers
• Repair kit and bike lock
• Luggage transfer each day from hotel to hotel on days when cycling (1 x piece/bag per person, strict maximum weight <20kg per bag)
• PDF with map and tourist info, and a navigation app with hotel locations and emergency contacts.
• Local support in France

• Single supplement $650
• Travel insurance
• International and domestic airfares
• Lunches and dinners
• Taxis, trains or local buses between towns if needed
• Arrival and departure transfers

The Loire Valley is located in central France, known for its beautiful countryside, vineyards, and historic châteaux. It’s about a 2-hour train ride from Paris to the main cities in the region, such as Blois, Saumur or Orleans, making it an easy and quick getaway from the capital. The region is famous for its picturesque towns, rolling hills, and iconic castles like Château de Chambord and Château de Chenonceau. The Loire Valley is perfect for cycling, with scenic routes along the river and through charming villages.

The Loire Valley offers an excellent opportunity to dip your toe into self-guided cycling tours. With its designated cycling paths, quiet roads, and a courteous biking culture, it’s an ideal destination for cyclists of all abilities. The added benefit of e-bikes makes managing hills and covering longer distances much easier. 

The Loire Valley offers stunning scenery throughout the year, but the best time for cycling is typically between April and October, when the weather is mild, local attractions are open, and the vineyards are at their peak.

For the best cycling conditions, we recommend traveling from late April through June, when the weather is typically mild and pleasant. July can be hot but still manageable, while August is generally not ideal due to the limited services open and intense summer heat. September and October offer particularly lovely weather, with cooler temperatures and stunning autumn scenery, making them some of the best months to explore the region.

If you’re hoping to see the famous sunflower fields, the best time to visit is usually from mid June to early July, when the fields are in full bloom. The exact timing can vary depending on the weather, but this is when the vibrant yellow flowers are at their peak. By mid-August, the sunflowers begin to fade, and the fields are often harvested.

The cycling season for all trips, except the “The Châteaux Loop”, runs from April 1 to October 31 each year. The cycling season for the The Châteaux Loop is from May 1 to September 30. Please ensure your trip falls within these dates.

While cycling in the Loire Valley is generally considered “beginner-friendly,” some prior biking experience is recommended. Cyclists should be comfortable navigating hills, riding on mixed surfaces, and sharing roads with vehicles. Since these are self-guided trips, it’s also important to have some problem-solving skills, adaptability, and a good sense of direction. You’ll need to feel comfortable with map-reading, using a travel app, and following road signs. Basic bike maintenance skills are required (e.g., fixing a punctured tire, adjusting the chain).

If you’re unsure, please feel free to reach out to our cycling expert, who can answer your questions and provide more details.

The terrain in the Loire Valley features a mix of flat and gently rolling hills, primarily along dedicated cycling routes and quiet country roads. While the terrain is generally moderate, riders should be comfortable with occasional hills and mixed surfaces, as well as sharing certain stretches with cars. Some roads may have obstacles like crossing train tracks, potholes, and debris, so cyclists should be confident navigating these hazards. As you approach and depart from larger towns, the roads may become busier. Take your time, and if you need to check your directions, it’s best to pull off the road and away from traffic. Along the way, you’ll enjoy peaceful landscapes, including forests, villages, and riverside paths, offering a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.

Our e-bikes are the most current models and are equipped with the new Bosch 4a motor, a battery of 625W, which allows for up to 100km on each charge, dependent on the level of pedal assistance chosen.These are ‘Pedelec’ bikes meaning you still need to pedal and the bike motor assists you up to 25km/h, which is the legal limitation. The bike has MTB geometry with 27.5″ – 29″ wheels (Size XS: 27.5″) and Shimano Deore gears. There is an easy to read handlebar display that gives you all the stats you need including speed/distance. Please note the E-Bike model supplied may vary according to availability on any chosen date but will be of a similar quality and range.

Helmets are provided, so you don’t need to bring your own unless you prefer to. Each bike comes equipped with panniers, a handlebar bag, a lock, a pump, a spare inner tube, and a puncture repair kit with tyre levers, allowing you to carry your essentials and stay prepared throughout the day. If you’re more comfortable with your own equipment, you’re welcome to bring additional gear such as gel seats, allen wrenches, or multi-tools.

E-bike batteries are classified with a battery wattage: for instance a 650W battery will have a much longer range than a 250W battery. Then how long that battery will carry you depends upon a few factors:

1. The terrain you are riding – steep uphills will use up your battery far faster than level terrain
2. The level of assistance you choose: ECO, TOUR, EMTB and TURBO – each uses progressively higher levels of assistance and therefore your battery life shortens. So riding in Turbo assist all the time will significantly reduce your range compared to ECO which gives a light level of assistance. It is easy to switch between modes with your handlebar controls.
3. The weight you carry – The bikes are capable of carrying a combined weight of bike, rider and luggage of up to 150kg. The bikes weigh around 22kg and if you are a heavier rider plus carrying more gear then you will use up the battery faster than a lighter rider also carrying less gear in their panniers.

It’s important to note that while it may be tempting to use the TURBO setting and zip through the route, services along the way follow standard operating hours and will not adjust for early arrivals. This means that if you race through the day and reach your lunch spot by 10am or your hotel by 1pm, these services are unlikely to be available, as they operate during regular hours. We recommend taking your time, enjoying a leisurely breakfast, cycling at a relaxed pace, stopping at interesting spots, expecting to have lunch around noon to 2pm, and checking into your hotel between 3 and 4pm when rooms are typically ready. When it comes to French restaurants and hotels, there’s no trophy for being the first to arrive. In fact, you might just get a ‘merci, but please come back later!

You will need to recharge the battery after each day’s ride unless you have had it on minimal assistance and/or medium distances. Each e-bike comes with a power pack and cable which you just plug one end into a mains power point and the other into a socket on the bike. Typically it’s about 4 hours to get a full charge and your handlebar display tells you how much charge you have in the battery when riding it or when recharging it.

Hotels along the Loire Valley are used to riders with e-bikes and so it should be easy enough to find a suitable charging point each night, they can advise you on where to charge and securely store the bike each evening.

Directions will be provided through an app that you can download once you receive your trip departure details 4 weeks prior to departure date. On the app you’ll have access to a detailed itinerary with route information specific to your trip, including tourist highlights, hotel bookings, and regional tips. You’ll mount your phone to your handlebars to follow GPS guidance directly from the app. In addition to this, you’ll also follow standard road signs and “Vélo Vert” markers, which are part of a network of bike-friendly paths and quiet roads across France.

Your directions are there for reassurance, but you’ll have the flexibility to travel at your own pace and explore off the beaten path. Whether it’s stopping for a coffee, visiting a château, or stumbling upon a hidden wine cave, you’ll have the freedom to enjoy the journey your way. If you get off track, don’t worry. You can always ask locals or other cyclists for help, and getting back on course is all part of the adventure. Self-guided cycling is all about flexibility, and it’s a style of travel many cyclists love to come back to again and again.

It’s important to be familiar with basic bike maintenance before setting off, as handling simple repairs – such as fixing a flat tyre or reattaching a dropped chain – is your responsibility. While we provide a toolkit for basic repairs, it’s essential to feel confident managing these tasks on the road.

If you’re unsure about bike maintenance, there are plenty of resources to help you prepare. We recommend watching bike repair tutorials online (such as those on YouTube) or visiting your local bike shop for a hands-on demonstration. Many shops offer workshops or individual lessons to help you practice basic repairs like fixing a puncture or attaching dropped chains. As the saying goes, “practice makes perfect”. 

Weather is unpredictable, so maintaining a flexible approach will help you make the most of your journey while staying safe. Since itineraries cannot be adjusted last minute due to weather, it’s essential to prepare with the right gear to stay comfortable and safe in all conditions. Be sure to pack rain gear, quick-drying clothing, along with reflective gear to ensure visibility, especially in poor weather or low light conditions. That said, we do not recommend cycling in severe weather, such as heavy rain, thunderstorms or hail. If you encounter such conditions, it’s best to pull off the road and seek shelter until the weather clears. This can be a great opportunity to stumble across a local wine cave or café, where you can relax, taste some regional specialties, and practice your French. Oooh la la!

If you’re near a train line, you can check local transit options to see if they allow bikes on board, giving you the flexibility to skip a day’s ride if you’re uncomfortable cycling in bad weather. Not all trains permit bikes, so be sure to confirm this before boarding with your bike.

You can read more about cycling the Loire Valley in our Insight article, Exploring France’s Beautiful Loire Valley by E-Bike, which provides valuable information about what to expect during your trip. Our cycling expert, Liz, has years of experience personally guiding cycling tours in the Loire Valley and is passionate about sharing her knowledge of this beautiful region.