The Loire à Vélo route strings 900 signposted kilometres past the greatest hits of French château-building — Chambord's roofline alone justifies the ferry crossing — but the smart move is a gentle four-day sampler between Blois and Chinon. The valley floor is mercifully level, and every village supplies goat's cheese and a serviceable Sancerre. June and September dodge both crowds and heat. Trains carry bikes free, so you can bail or leapfrog a stage at will.
Featured in Ten cycling holidays for completely normal legs · Adventure