Châteaux of the Loire

Renaissance and gardens — 3 days in the Loire Valley

Chambord, Chenonceau and Villandry linked by Loire by Bike.

An east-bound circuit between royal châteaux and remarkable gardens, with sections of Loire by Bike (EuroVelo 6) and the Indre by Bike to reach Azay-le-Rideau without getting back in the car.

Duration
3 days
Distance
150 km
Pace
Car + bike
Season
May to September

The circuit on the map

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Day-by-day stages

Day 1

  1. 1
    Château de ChambordVisit

    Chambord, Loir-et-Cher

    Opens at 9 am: double-helix staircase and rooftop terraces before the crowds.

  2. 2
    Blois — royal châteauStopover town

    Blois, Loir-et-Cher

    Four centuries of architecture in a single courtyard, then a night in town.

Day 2

  1. 1
    Château de ChenonceauVisit

    Chenonceaux, Indre-et-Loire

    The château spanning the Cher and its two gardens: Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de' Medici.

  2. 2
    Amboise — Loire by BikeTrail

    Amboise, Indre-et-Loire

    Riverside cycling stage, with Leonardo da Vinci's Clos Lucé as a bonus.

    Trail details

Day 3

  1. 1
    Villandry GardensVisit

    Villandry, Indre-et-Loire

    The ornamental kitchen garden is at its best in June and September.

  2. 2
    Azay-le-RideauVisit

    Azay-le-Rideau, Indre-et-Loire

    Arrive via the Indre by Bike: the château mirrored in its water-filled moat.

    Trail details

Trails and cycle routes used

GR 3

In the Footsteps of the Wild Loire

180 km (section châteaux) · Easy to moderate

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EuroVelo 6

Loire by Bike

900 km (total) — 290 km (Orléans → Saumur) · Easy

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Véloroute

The Indre by Bike — towards Azay-le-Rideau

60 km · Easy

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Events during your stay

No event is currently announced on this route. Check the agenda for the latest additions.

See the full agenda