Cycling tour of France

🚲 Departure from Orléans and an easy introduction to the rhythm of the Loire Valley on the official La Loire à Vélo / EuroVelo 6 route. About 29–34 km, pure riding time around 2.5–3 hours, with little elevation gain — roughly up to 120 m for the day. The surface is mostly mixed but comfortable: dedicated cycle paths, river embankments, quiet paved roads through riverside villages, and short sections of firm dirt/gravel when approaching natural areas. Main stops along the way: the Orléans embankment, the stretch near Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Mesmin, and the historic center of Beaugency with its bridge over the Loire. For water and food, it is convenient to stock up in Orléans first, then take breaks in small cafés and bakeries along the route; in hot weather it is better to carry 2 bottles right away, because services are not continuous on the natural sections. It is most convenient to stay overnight in Beaugency or Meung-sur-Loire so as not to overload the first day. Road nuances: along the Loire the route is very pleasant, but a headwind can be bothersome on open levees; after rain, short unpaved sections may be slower than they look on the map. The day is realistic for an average cycle tourist because the distance is short, the profile is almost flat, and navigation by Loire à Vélo signs is usually clear even without athletic training.

🚲 Riding along the Loire toward Blois is one of the most classic tourist sections of the route. About 36–40 km, pure riding time 2.5–3.5 hours, elevation gain usually up to 150 m. The surface is mostly paved and very comfortable for a trekking bike and e-bike: cycle paths, levees, quiet local roads, and riverside approaches to towns. Main stops: Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire as a beautiful riverside village, panoramas of the Loire’s sandy islands, then the historic approach into Blois with views of the bridge and old town. Bakeries and markets along the route are good for a break, and in Blois it is already easy to have a proper lunch and check the bike. Staying overnight in Blois makes sense: the town is convenient as a cycling base, with rentals, repairs, and a choice of accommodation. Road nuances: the official route is well suited to beginners, but when entering Blois there are urban intersections and bridges where you need to watch markings and signs more carefully. The day is realistic because it is an almost completely flat section of the official cycling route; even 40 km here feels like a comfortable touring transfer rather than a sporting marathon.

🚲 A light radial day trip from Blois to Château de Chambord and back on one of the region’s most popular cycling loops. About 38–44 km, pure riding time 3–4 hours, elevation gain moderate and usually not critical — around 150–220 m, but the longer straight sections through forest and the wind matter more. The surface is mixed and tourist-friendly: cycle paths, low-traffic paved roads, stretches through forest belts, and smooth gravel. Main stops: the Loire riverbank when leaving Blois, the approach to the Chambord estate through the Cosson valley, and the château itself with its huge park, where official bike parking is provided at the main entrance. It is convenient to bring water and food from Blois with some reserve, then top up on the approach to Chambord and near the château’s tourist area; this is a good day for a picnic in the shade. It is better to stay overnight in Blois again so you do not have to carry luggage on a radial excursion. Road nuances: inside the wooded sections in summer it can be hot and almost without shade on open straight stretches, and on weekends there are more visitors and pedestrians near Chambord, so it is better to ride slowly for the last few hundred meters. The day is realistic for an average cycle tourist because it runs through the popular family-friendly Châteaux à Vélo area, almost without hard climbs, with a clear goal for the day and the ability to slow the pace without losing the experience.

🚲 One of the best days of the whole tour: leaving Blois along the south bank of the Loire, then vineyard slopes, scenic sections, and the approach into Amboise. About 42–48 km, pure riding time 3–4.5 hours, elevation gain around 220–320 m because of rolling terrain and climbs to viewpoints. The surface is very diverse: official Loire à Vélo cycle paths, quiet roads through villages, stretches along the river, and occasional compact gravel. Main stops: Candé-sur-Beuvron at the confluence of the rivers, Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire with its park and garden complex, then a panoramic finish in Amboise with the royal silhouette above the Loire. For water and food, it is sensible to take a break in Chaumont-sur-Loire or in one of the villages along the way; in the warm season it is worth carrying a snack reserve because there can be long quiet stretches without shops between villages. It is best to stay overnight in Amboise so you can calmly explore the old town on foot in the evening. Road nuances: windy sections near the Loire and short rolling climbs may tire you more than the mileage suggests; after rain, gravel is a bit slower. The day is realistic because the distance falls within a normal touring range, and the route is officially intended for cycle travel and combines cultural stops well with comfortable logistics.

🚲 The final transfer to Tours along La Loire à Vélo and local valley cycling routes. About 28–35 km, pure riding time 2–3 hours, elevation gain around 120–180 m. The surface is mostly friendly for any touring bicycle: riverside paths, local asphalt, embankments, and short urban sections. Main stops: scenic stretches by the Loire after leaving Amboise, the Vouvray area with its wine-growing landscape, and the final approach to the center of Tours. It is convenient to refill water in Amboise before departure and again in Vouvray or when entering Tours; this is a short day, so you can afford a long lunch at the finish. Staying overnight in Tours makes sense, near the station and the old town, so you can conveniently end the journey by train. Road nuances: closer to Tours, urban traffic increases, so it is better to follow the official cycle navigation and not improvise with major roads. In hot weather this day rides easily, but the nearly cloudless sun by the Loire quickly drains energy. The day is realistic because the final transfer is short, almost without serious climbs, and is perfectly suited to the last day before returning the bicycle or boarding a train.