Cycling holidays Castles on river Loire

Discover the historic old town and the imposing castle, already the kings of France were magically attracted to this place.

Typical for this region are the cliff dwellings carved directly into the soft limestone. You’ll cycle close to the river and briefly cross the Loire to visit the most regal of all Loire castles: Château d’Amboise. Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years here, and his residence remains open to visitors today. From there, you’ll continue along the Loire cycle path to Tours—or you may choose to take the train from Amboise (independently).

The Cher River guides you straight to Château de Villandry, famed for its stunning gardens. Just before reaching Château de Langeais, you’ll switch from cycling along the Cher to the banks of the Loire. A view from the castle’s keep—built solely for military purposes—reveals the spectacular surrounding landscape. At the edge of the Chinon forest stands Château d’Ussé, known as the Sleeping Beauty castle. Through quaint villages and side roads, you’ll make your way to today’s destination, Chinon..

The Vienne River gently guides you to the picturesque village of Candes-Saint-Martin. At Montsoreau, the Vienne merges with the mighty Loire—an awe-inspiring natural spectacle. You’ll pedal through meticulously tended vineyards en route to Fontevraud l’Abbaye, one of the world’s most remarkably preserved medieval abbeys. The journey then takes a “literary return” back to Chinon, where you’ll pass the birthplace of the celebrated writer François Rabelais.

You leave Chinon with its medieval streets behind and head north. Your route takes you through historic vineyards and tranquil villages to Crissay, one of France’s most beautiful villages. Today, you’ll also have the chance to admire another castle: Azay-le-Rideau, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. You’ll stay overnight right in the village, giving you the perfect opportunity to experience the castle’s magic up close.

Tracing the romantic river landscape along the Indre, you’ll arrive in the charming town of Montbazon. After a brief climb, you’ll descend into the Cher River valley. From there, gentle meadow paths guide you to Bléré and onward to your historic overnight stay in Chenonceaux, home to its magnificent château. A splendid two-story gallery bridge spans the river, while the exquisite castle gardens in front promise to enchant—immerse yourself and discover their magic firsthand.

Today you have a choice: The shorter route leads you through the gentle landscapes of Touraine to Château de Chaumont, then along romantic paths by the Loire to Blois, where you’ll have the rest of the day free to explore at your leisure. Alternatively, you can cycle via Montrichard, Cheverny, and Villesavin to Château de Chambord. From afar, the walls of this largest and most magnificent Loire residence shimmer through the trees—an enduring legacy of a faithless king.