Day One Arrival in Blois
Arrive in Blois, a lovely town of steep and twisting medieval streets built on a hillside on the north bank of the Loire. An ancient royal domain, you cannot help but soak up its refined atmosphere as you wander past the historic 15th century facades. The royal Château de Blois is the first of many glorious châteaux to be visited on this tour. You’ll stay in a 2 star hotel a few minutes walk from the château.

Day Two Blois to Amboise
Cycle south west through the Forêt de Blois before crossing the Loire at Chaumont-sur-Loire. Overlooking the town and the river, the castle was the subject of medieval intrigue as Catherine de Medici, widow of Henri II forced the late King’s mistress, Diane de Poitiers, into accepting it in exchange for her favoured Chenonceau. On then to the royal town of Amboise, where you will spend the next two nights in a 2 star hotel. The château sits on a rocky spur above the river and was home to Louis XI and Charles VIII in the late 15th century. (44 km, 27 miles)

Day Three Circular ride from Amboise
You can take a circular ride today through the vineyards of the Montlouis area, renowned for the delicate fruity flavour of its wine, referred to locally as Pineau de la Loire. Alternatively, you can take the time to explore Amboise. A short walk from the hotel is Le Clos Lucé, a red brick manor house where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last 3 years of his life and where, in the cellars, models of Leonardo’s fabulous machines are on display. The gardens of the château offer one of the most splendid views of the Loire valley. (32 km, 20 miles)

Day Four Amboise to Montrichard
Today you head south through the Forêt d’Amboise to the Château de Chenonceau. Built to stretch over the River Cher, the magical château creates an impression that it is, as described by Flaubert, “floating on air and water”. The energetic can take a detour to the Château de Montpoupon with its elegant mullioned windows and Gothic styled gables. For a more leisurely journey, follow the Cher to the charming town of Montrichard. Your accommodation for the next two nights is a beautiful chateau (3 stars anticipated) set in its own grounds a couple of miles outside Montrichard.
(28-43 km, 17-26 miles).

Day Five Circular ride from Montrichard Today’s circular tour heads for St. Aignan a little château town standing on the south bank of the Cher in the heart of a region of woods and vineyards which produce Coteaux du Cher. Crossing the river you return via the Gallo-Roman settlement (1-3c) at Thésée, the Château de Gué-Péan isolated in a quiet wooded valley and the caves carved into the cliff face at Bourré where oyster mushrooms, shiitake, and pie-bleu thrive in the darkness. (43-51 km, 26-32 miles)

Day Six Montrichard to Chitenay
Leaving Montrichard, you ride through vineyards to the Benedictine abbey at Pontlevoy, founded in 1034. On then to the village of Fougèressur-Bièvre in which stands an imposing medieval fortress only slightly softened by the later additions of windows and a roof! Your accommodation is in a harming 2 star auberge in the quiet village of Chitenay.
(43-47 km, 27-29 miles)

Day Seven Chitenay to Blois
A busy day with visits to the small Renaissance château at Troussay, the imposing classical styled château at Cheverny and Château de Villesavin with its dovecote, for 3,000 birds. The climax of the day is the regal grandeur of Château de Chambord. Conceived as a ‘hunting lodge’ by Francois I in 1518, no expense was spared, resulting in the Loire’s largest residence. Your overnight stay is at the same hotel in Blois as Day One
(50 km, 31 miles)

Day Eight Depart after breakfast, following a final night in Blois.

Travel Information