A weekend between Blois and Amboise

Depending on your arrival time, you can start with a visit to the Château of Blois or the Maison de la Magie, or wander through the centre of Blois and see the decoration of the moment on the Denis- Papin staircase. Next, head in the direction of the village of Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire and its Maison de la Loire, before cycling on to the emblematic château of Francis I. An exceptional Renaissance building, the Château of Chambord will delight all travellers with its immense 5,440-hectare park and French formal gardens.

Continue your journey to end the day at Cheverny. The Château of Cheverny is known for having inspired the cartoonist Hergé when he created Marlinspike Hall in The Adventures of Tintin.

A busy first day of cycling in the heart of the Loire Valley and Sologne!

What to do: Enjoy a few sweet treats at the Max Vauché Chocolatiers in Bracieux.

Your adventure continues through the heart of the AOC regions of Cheverny and Crémant de Loire, between Cheverny and Candé-sur Beuvron. You can taste wines at the Maison des Vins in Cheverny or directly at the winemakers’, or enjoy a few sweet or savoury treats at the Cour-Cheverny Biscuit Factory. After tasting the local gastronomy, travel on to the Château of Chaumont and its International Garden Festival, where plenty of surprises await you in a setting filled with wonder and creativity. Once you have recovered from the excitement, carry on to Amboise. The royal city and its Renaissance gems offer a wealth of activities: the Royal Château of Amboise, the Château of Le Clos Lucé where you can walk in the footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci, themed guided tours, the Pagode de Chanteloup… you’ll be spoilt for choice!

What to visit:

• The Mini-Châteaux Park: a stroll through 44 different châteaux.
• The Grand Aquarium of Touraine: let yourself be transported from the waters of the Loire to tropical waters.
• Caves Ambacia: an encounter with wine enthusiasts.

The last leg of your journey takes you on a trip between the Loire and the Cher to discover the Ladies’ Château (Catherine de’ Médici, Queen of France, and Diane de Poitiers). The Château of Chenonceau spans the Cher with its two-storey gallery and is one of the most majestic châteaux on the route.

You can also choose to do a circular route for this third day, along the Voie Royale (the return from Chenonceaux is not on the official La Loire à Vélo route)

What to do: Enjoy a stunning view as you canoe under the arches of the château with Canoë Company.