Forget cars and planes: this time, you’re travelling by bike! The 560-mile The Loire by bike cycle path from Cuffy to Saint-Brévin-les-Pins is the longest cyclable tourist route in France. It provides an excellent opportunity to see Europe’s most beautiful châteaus along the “royal river”.
Why visit the Loire by bike?
Cycling is eco-friendly and superb for your health. In fact, there are almost no negatives to it.
A positive holiday
Travelling by bike is an environmentally-friendly thing to do in these times when using less energy is on many people’s minds.
Pedalling along, you go at your own pace, spend time enjoying the view, take in whatever is happening and meet the locals.
Cycling is a good way to build family bonds. You can share great memories later with loved ones. Also, children can take part too. From age seven, they can manage around 12 to 18 miles perfectly well; if they’re younger, cargo bikes are very comfortable.
The Loire by bike cycle route is mostly flat, so cyclists who are fit can easily use a classic bike.
If you want to save your energy, an electric bike is ideal. All you need to do is get the family into the saddle and away you go along the Loire’s routes.
Travel light
Want to start your journey with Orléans, Blois, Tours or Chinon? To help you reach the desired starting point and access the Loire by bike route, the local authorities have set up Train Vélo, a system that transports your bike free of charge by train in the summer.
Another useful initiative is that you can travel from one bank of the Loire to the other in La Chapelle-sur-Loire on a free boat.
If you’re a cyclist looking for extra comforts, there are even luggage transport services that will take your bags between hotels.
What’s more, towns often provide secure bike storage facilities you can use while you visit local tourist sites.
The Loire by bike: a cycle route through stunning landscapes
Discover an incredible journey from the plains of Centre-Val de Loire past the incredible Loire castles to the Atlantic coast.
The Commanderie de Ballan: the perfect starting point for exploring the Loire castels by bike
The Domaine de la Commanderie de Ballan is one of the hotels near the Loire by bike cycle route. Being located in the heart of Touraine, it even has a few famous castles as neighbours.
The Château de Villandry is just six miles from the Domaine: 35 minutes by bike. It’s famous for its various French gardens, kitchen garden and maze, and for its range of furniture and Spanish artworks installed by patron Joachim Carvallo, who carried out significant decoration work in the early 20th century.
The Château d’Azay-le-Rideau is under 15 miles from the Commanderie. Built during the reign of Francis I, it’s a clever mix of French and Italian architecture popular among tourists for its beauty and how the Indre River reflects the building.
The Château d’Amboise is 25 miles from the Commanderie. While you’ll need some endurance to visit, your efforts will be rewarded. The royal castle is famous for its Gothic architecture dating from the late Middle Ages combined with early Renaissance architecture. It’s also where Leonardo da Vinci’s splendid tomb is located. What’s more, visitors to this château enjoy some of the best views of the Loire Valley.
On your return to the Domaine de la Commanderie de Ballan after one of these great trips out, you can relax in our wellness area and enjoy the pool, sauna, jacuzzi and Nordic bath, or perhaps have a massage. Rest and recharge your batteries before you hit the trails of the Loire Valley again.
Prices
If you opt for our electric bikes, the price is €25 for an exhilarating half-day of discovery or €50 for a full day of adventure. For lovers of traditional cycling, our classic bikes are available at €15 for a half-day ride and €30 for a full day of exploration.
