The Loire Valley cycling routes have a mixture of delicious culinary experiences and stunning landscapes of the French countryside and Châteaux. Along the Loire river enjoy the lush green surroundings and incredible historic architecture.
The region produces the most white wine in France and has vineyards dating back to the 1st century. If you love wine you’re in for a treat. Most of the white wine is produced with the Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc grape. Whereas the red wine is made from the Cabernet Franc grape.
It’s not just about the wine though. The area is full of historical architecture to admire all from the seat of your bicycle. The incredible châteaux have a fairytale vibe and have been awarded UNESCO status. Dating back to medieval times, the buildings have eyecatching turrets and beautiful banquet halls to visit.
Take a look at the Loire Valley cycling routes that we use on our Cycling For Softies tours.
Loire à Vélo route
The Loire à Vélo route is part of the EuroVélo 6 route linking the Black Sea to the Atlantic. This route passes through the stunning Loire Valley. Whether you’re a bit of a historian, a wine connoisseur or a keen foodie you’ll have an incredible time.
The various cycle paths are mostly flat and follow the Vienne, Loire and Indre rivers. Along the way, you’ll discover fascinating historical towns and beautiful vineyards. The vineyards are nice stops to try highly acclaimed white wine and have a break from the saddle.
Chinon to Montsoreau
The Chinon to Montsoreau route is a great gentle start to most people’s cycling holidays. The terrain is perfectly flat and the route is short. This Loire Valley cycling route is ideal for first-time riders in the area as the roads are quiet and there are no hills to take on. The route in total is a leisurely 20km ride.
On this route, you’ll cross the beautiful Loire river at Candes-St-Martin. The town of Candes-St-Martins has a cobbled square with a delightful bistro to visit. At the end of the ride, you’ll arrive in Montsoreau. Here you can visit the stunning château and admire its historical marvel. Alternatively, you can sit back and relax by the pool or enjoy the soothing spa facilities.
Villandry to Saumur
One of the longer Loire Valley cycling routes you can ride is from Villandry to Saumur. This 60km ride is on our Loire Valley Discovery e-bike tour. Using an e-bike you’ll breeze through the area at a nice pace. One of the main highlights of the tour is the Château d’Usse, one of the most picturesque buildings in the region.
On the ride, you’ll go through troglodyte villages that are located on the hillside of Turquant. These beautiful small villages have their unique charm and are a welcome stop on your route.
Chinon Round Trip Visiting Château du Rivau
This is another lovely easy-paced ride around the village of Chinon. The majority of the route is on the new traffic-free cycle path, which used to be an old railway line. It’s only a small 28km ride that can be done at a leisurely pace.
The main highlight of this ride is visiting Château du Rivau. This small but beautiful Château has stunning garden grounds to explore. Taste delicious local dishes at the restaurant on-site, whilst admiring the incredible Château and garden backdrop.
Azay-le-Rideau to Chinon
Starting on quiet forest roads, this ride has a different feel to it. As you emerge out of the forest you’ll take in the stunning riverside vineyards. This 36km ride feels like a bit of an adventure starting in wooded surroundings before you head towards civilisation.
This ride is perfect for wine lovers as there are plenty of vineyards to stop at to enjoy the best local bottles. This Loire Valley cycling route is used on our Chateaux of the Loire tours.
Loire Valley Cycling Tours:
The Loire in Luxury
Stay in our three favourite château hotels and feel like royalty during your stay. The terrain is easy on the Loire Valley cycling routes and you can have e-bikes on request for maximum ease cycling around the area.
The magical region of Loire; world-famous for its marvellous châteaux, magnificent rivers, delicious wines and fabulous cycling holidays, of course!
Loire Valley Discovery
Based on the classic Loire Valley cycling route, this itinerary was introduced in 2020. Take a ride on our great selection of e-bikes and admire one of the beautiful areas of France with ease. You’ll ride along the river, past various châteaux and through the delightful vineyards of the Loire Valley.
Explore the magnificent Louire by e-bike on this luxurious self-guided tour.
Châteaux of the Loire
Admire the incredible Châteaux and enjoy delicious wine along the way on this tour. Take in the spectacular Son et Lumière at the Châteaux Royal de Blois. There are also many tiny vineyards you can visit, as well as beautiful gardens in Villandry.
The magical region of the Loire is world-famous for its châteaux, magnificent rivers and delicious wines.
To find out more about cycling in the Loire Valley call our experts on 0207 471 7760.