Chateau de Chambord to Atlantic Coast

Arrival in Blois, (transfer on your own to the hotel), famous for its Royal Renaissance Chateau. Blois is a short train ride from Paris and has plenty to offer for your first night : pedestrian streets, 18th century stone bridge, St Louis Cathedral, shopping, restaurants... And since you are spending the night in Blois, don't forget to check if there is a Light and Sound show tonight.

You should start early on this day if you want to take time to visit the castles. Today the ride starts out quiet and the anticipation builds as you approach the forest of Chambord that hides the most famous of the Loire chateaux until the last moment when you come into the clearing and see the site ! Coming out from the park of Chambord, you will have the possibility to try some chocolate, visit Bracieux village and/or another famous castles: Cheverny and Chateau of Chaumont sur Loire and its International garden festival. At the end you arrive to the royal village of Amboise. The short option does not go to Cheverny.

Distances : 82 or 92 Km (50 or 56 mi).

Elevation : 380 m.

Today you go through the history of France and its different types of castles. Today's ride is mostly on bike lane roads. The first leg will take you through the vineyards of Montlouis before reaching Tours. Then you pass nearby the chateau of Villandry with its famous garden and the medieval village of Langeais with its massive medieval castle. At last you can have a look to the sleeping beauty Chateau of Usse before reaching the town where Jeanne of Arc met the King Charles VII : Chinon.

Distance : 87 Km (54 mi).

Elevation : 320 m.

Wine day ! Leaving the vineyards of Chinon, you will then go through the vineyards of Saumur, Champigny and finally Anjou at the end of your ride. On your way, you will be able to visit the largest abbey in Europe : Fontevraud, definitely worth a stop ! Some of the highlights for today also include the chateau and city of Saumur and the fortress in Angers.

Distance : 94 Km (59 mi).

Elevation : 603 m.

Riding day with short hills and long distance, so we recommend starting early ! The ride today will be very peaceful, along the Loire River, with very little traffic. Your destination or today is Nantes, a very dynamic city which is great for cyclists since they have pushed and developed the use of bikes and bike friendly roads in town. On the way you will discover small and typical French villages with their unique Churches (St Florent le Vieil, Ancenis).

Distance : 100 Km (62 mi).

Elevation : 510 m.

The ride today will take you to the coast of the Atlantic Ocean ! First, you can make a stop to visit the extraordinary artistic project of the "Machine de l'Ile ", a blend of the invented worlds of Jules Verne. Then go through the tiny fishing village of Trentemoult. And the last part of your ride will have you ride on small roads all the way to the Ocean. You will ride along the coast for a few miles before reaching your hotel in Pornic, which offers spa treatments to reward yourself after such a challenging tour !

Distance : 83 Km (50mi).

Elevation : 524m

You can take your time getting started in the morning, have breakfast and depart at your leisure by train for Paris via Nantes or other destination. (Depart on your own).