Castles of the Loire River - 10 Day Royal Loop

Arrive in Blois and settle into your hotel. The town rises above the Loire, with its château overlooking the river and acting as a focal point for the old town. It’s worth spending some time walking through the historic centre, where narrow streets, stairways and small squares lead up towards the château.

Blois has long been associated with the French royal court, and that sense of history is immediately apparent. It’s an easy place to begin, with everything within walking distance and a relaxed atmosphere in the evening.

Example hotel: Hotel Le Monarque

Leaving Blois, you join the Loire cycle path and begin to follow the river west. The riding is gentle and mostly flat, with long stretches along the riverbank and occasional quiet roads through small villages.

A natural stopping point is Chaumont-sur-Loire, where the château sits high above the river. Its setting alone makes it worth the stop, and the surrounding park often hosts garden installations that change throughout the year.

Continuing along the Loire, the landscape opens out before gradually narrowing again as you approach Amboise. The town announces itself with its château, one of the earliest examples of Renaissance architecture in the region. Nearby, Clos Lucé offers a different kind of visit, centred around Leonardo da Vinci, who spent his final years here.

A shorter day, giving you time to explore before or after the ride. Leaving Amboise, the route moves slightly away from the river and into the surrounding vineyards, particularly around Montlouis-sur-Loire, known for its white wines.

The riding here feels quieter and more rural, with small roads linking vineyards and villages. Gradually, you return to the Loire and follow it into Tours.

Tours has a more urban feel than the towns you’ve passed so far, with a lively centre and a strong café culture. The old quarter, around Place Plumereau, is a good place to spend the evening.

Example hotel: Ibis Styles Tours Centre

Today follows the Cher river before reconnecting with the Loire. Early in the ride, you reach Villandry, whose gardens are among the most distinctive in France. The layout is precise and structured, with geometric patterns and carefully maintained planting that contrasts with the surrounding countryside.

From here, the route continues towards Langeais, where the château has a more defensive, medieval character. Climbing the tower offers wide views across the river and surrounding landscape.

As you continue, the scenery becomes slightly wilder, particularly as you approach the wooded areas near Chinon. The town itself sits beneath its fortress, which stretches along the ridge above. The old streets below feel compact and atmospheric, especially in the evening.

Today is a circular ride, giving you a deeper look at the area around Chinon. You begin by following the Vienne river, a quieter and more intimate stretch compared to the Loire.

You pass through Candes-Saint-Martin, where a Romanesque church marks the site associated with Saint Martin, before reaching Montsoreau, where the Vienne meets the Loire. The meeting of the rivers is a subtle but memorable point in the landscape.

From here, the route leads through vineyards towards Fontevraud Abbey. The scale of the abbey is unexpected, with large open spaces and well-preserved buildings that give a clear sense of its former importance.

The return to Chinon passes through countryside linked to François Rabelais, adding a literary layer to the day, though the ride itself remains relaxed and steady.

Example hotel: Hotel Rive Sud

Leaving Chinon, the route heads north through quieter countryside. This is a more understated day, with small villages, farmland and stretches of vineyard replacing the more prominent river landscapes of earlier stages.

A highlight along the way is Crissay-sur-Manse, often listed among the most beautiful villages in France. The stone houses and calm setting give it a very different feel to the busier towns along the Loire.

Arriving in Azay-le-Rideau, the château sits directly on the Indre river, its reflection visible in the water. It’s smaller than some of the other châteaux on the route, but often considered one of the most elegant.

Today combines rivers, countryside and one of the most recognisable châteaux in the Loire Valley. You begin by following the Indre river, with long, quiet sections through open landscapes.

Near Montbazon, the terrain changes slightly, with a short climb before crossing a ridge towards the Cher valley. The effort is brief, and the descent brings you back into flatter terrain.

Following the Cher, the route leads to Chenonceaux, where the château spans the river itself. Its arches and galleries stretch across the water, making it one of the most distinctive and photographed in the region. The gardens here are also worth taking time to explore.

Example hotel: Logis Hotel Le Relais

Leaving Chenonceaux, you ride through the Touraine countryside, with a mix of woodland, fields and small villages. The route gradually brings you back towards the Loire.

You pass Chaumont-sur-Loire again, offering another opportunity to stop if you didn’t visit earlier, or to see a different part of the estate.

The final stretch follows the Loire back into Blois. Returning to a familiar place at the end of a loop gives a sense of completion, with the château once again marking your arrival.

Your final ride is centred around Chambord, the largest château in the Loire Valley. The approach is through forest and open land, with the château appearing gradually through the trees.

Once there, it’s worth taking time to explore both the building and its grounds. The scale is significant, with vast parkland enclosed by a long wall. Cycling around the estate gives a good sense of its size and layout.

Historically associated with François I and later Louis XIV, Chambord reflects a different side of the Loire’s history, more about scale and ambition than refinement.

Return to Blois for your final evening.

Example hotel: Hotel Le Monarque