Loire Valley by E-Bike: The Chateaux Loop

Your journey begins in Blois, a picturesque town adorned with pale stone facades, slate roofs, and charming cobblestone streets that echo tales of centuries past. Take a leisurely stroll through the pedestrian-friendly alleys, where time seems to stand still, allowing you to fully absorb the tranquil atmosphere. Don’t miss the Royal Château de Blois, a former residence of French kings, showcasing a stunning blend of architectural styles from the Middle Ages to the 17th century. This castle not only offers fascinating insights into royal history but also features a remarkable collection of art and period furnishings, making it a true gem of the Loire Valley.

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 savor a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, celebrated for its vibrant flavors. 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 Amboise to the iconic Château de Chenonceau, a stunning masterpiece that gracefully spans the Cher River with its five elegant arches. This enchanting château was originally gifted to Diane de Poitiers, the mistress of King Henri II, before being reclaimed by his widow, Queen Catherine de Médicis, who further enhanced its beauty. As you cycle through the picturesque Loire and Cher River valleys, you’ll pass by lush vineyards and charming villages, immersing yourself in the region’s rich scenery and culture.

Upon reaching Chenonceaux, you’ll find a delightful town nestled along the banks of the Cher. You can choose between a direct route or a more scenic option, which allows for additional stops at quaint châteaux and local treasures, giving you the chance to explore even more of this captivating area. Enjoy the blend of history, nature, and the serene beauty that defines this part of the Loire Valley.

Ascent 319m, descent 322m

Meals: B

Leave the picturesque Cher Valley behind as you venture into the verdant landscapes of the Touraine region. Along the way, explore the Château de Gué Péan, a hidden gem that showcases the charm of the countryside, and the medieval Château de Fougère-sur-Bièvre, a stunning example of traditional 15th-century architecture set amidst enchanting gardens. As your journey concludes, you’ll arrive at a delightful rural hotel in Chitenay, where a peaceful garden awaits you – a perfect spot to unwind and reflect on the day’s beauty. This tranquil setting encapsulates the serene essence of the Loire Valley, making it an ideal retreat.

Ascent 361m, descent 338m

Meals: B

On your final day of cycling, immerse yourself in the grandeur of the Château de Cheverny, renowned for its sumptuous furnishings and fascinating history. As you continue your ride, the magnificent Château de Chambord emerges on the horizon, its 440 rooms and breathtaking architecture epitomising the splendor of the French Renaissance. This architectural marvel boasts a distinctive double-helix staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci, inviting exploration. Your journey culminates back in Blois, where you can wander the hilly streets surrounding the château, completing your fairy tale adventure in this enchanting town, rich with history and charm.

Ascent 397m, descent 414m

Meals: B

Your cycling journey ends after breakfast. If time allows, consider extending your stay to fully appreciate the charming city of Blois and its rich history.

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 or 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, are 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.