La Loire à Vélo®, a legendary 900 km bike ride along a wild river for bike lovers! Between road trip and art de vivre, it’s the ideal bike route combining leisure exercise, luxurious nature, castle visits, wine tastings and magical nights.
Just 1 hour from Paris, in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Loire Valley, Tours is one of the key stops on the Loire à Vélo®. This safe, signposted itinerary winds along the river, offering regular loops to the châteaux, villages and vineyards along the way. You'll be amazed with every turn of the wheel!
Whether you're a sporty type of rider or just enjoy the gentle pace of life in the Loire Valley, it's impossible not to visit one of the region's must-see châteaux. Don't miss: the Garden & chateau Villandry and its French gardens, Rigny-Ussé, the Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant, or Azay-le-Rideau, set on its water mirror.
There is a huge variety of stopping points, from a stop-off in a troglodytic dwelling to the hotel in the historic town centre of Tours to enjoy festive evening fun. Turning to food, there are great places to eat in Tours, including the Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie, a Loire dish in a guinguette or an idyllic picnic at the water’s edge with a nice bottle of sparkling Vouvray at the end of the day.
And for a little variety, the Touraine region offers other well-known cycle paths such as the Cœur de France à Vélo®, the Scandibérique and Saint Jacques de Compostelle à Vélo. Several customisable options are available for Loire à Vélo®: “En Roue Libre” for 3 days/2 nights or “La Loire à Vélo®” for 2 days and 1 night.