Escapade by bike
Do you like to cycle at your own pace and combine sport and lifestyle? Then you've come to the right place! You'll be able to explore the destination with your hair blowing in the wind, on low-level routes between hamlets and castles.
![Vélos sur le pont Wilson, en bord de Loire]()
Urban & heritage walks
For the second time, throughout the summer season, Tours Tourist Office, in partnership with Accueil Vélo et Rando, is offering a number of guided bike rides on a variety of themes. Come and (re)discover Tours and the surrounding area, and enjoy a relaxing mix of nature and culture.
Practical info
- 10 €/pers.
- All departures from Accueil Vélo & Rando
- 31 boulevard Heurteloup, Tours (except for the August 3 tour, which departs from the Villandry Tourist Office).
- Bookings on tours-tourisme.fr, at the Tours Val de Loire Tourist Office reception desk or on 02 47 70 37 37.
Saturday July 13: Tour from Tours to Saint-Pierre-dès-Corps
Located between the Loire and Cher rivers, Saint-Pierre-des-Corps is the heart of the rail network linking Tours to the capital. This walk takes you on a tour of the town's market garden history and industrial heritage, past street art frescoes and a locomotive repair workshop, to the organic vegetable farm "Les 4 saisons de la Morinerie".
DEPARTURE 9:30 AM - DURATION 2H30
Saturday, July 27: Ride from Tours to Saint-Avertin
Head for Saint-Avertin for a morning bike ride along the "Loire à vélo" and "Cœur de France à Vélo" itineraries. Along the way, discover the Île Balzac and the banks of the Cher, where old houses and modern dwellings coexist in harmony.
DEPARTURE 9:30 AM - DURATION 3H00
Saturday August 3: Ride from Villandry to Berthenay
Enjoy a 20km ride along the Loire à Vélo© and the Cher riverside paths. A loop that takes you to the gardens and château of Villandry, at the confluence of the two rivers and near the church of Saint-Martin in Berthenay. Relaxation guaranteed!
DEPARTURE 10:00 AM - DURATION 3:00 AM
Friday, August 16: Tours by night
At dusk, the historic sites of Tours come to life on the "Parcours Lumière". An unusual way to (re)discover the city on wheels, accompanied by a tour guide.
DEPARTURE 9:00 PM - DURATION 1H30
Saturday, September 7: Tour from Tours to La Riche
Stroll along cobbled streets, contemplate Saint-Gatien cathedral and Tours château, observe the birds of the Loire, discover the priory where the poet Ronsard lived, or explore the "black islands"... a great program for this last guided bike ride!
DEPARTURE 10:00 AM - DURATION 3:00 AM
Guided bike tour of Tours
Discover the history of Tours in the fresh air! For 1.5 hours, hop on your bike and follow the tour guide on a tour of the must-see sites: the banks of the Loire, Saint-Gatien Cathedral, Vieux-Tours... The flat, easy 5.5 km route makes this tour accessible to all.
Practical info
- 19 €/adult and 10 €/child
- Bike rental option: +10 €.
- Reservations on tours-tourisme.fr, at the Tours Val de Loire Tourist Office or on 02 47 70 37 37
2 days 100% cycling and the good life
For two days, set off from Tours on a cycling tour of vineyards and châteaux.
![Le bord du Cher à vélo]()
Le bord du Cher à vélo
DAY 1 - Vineyards, troglodytic caves and guinguette
Follow La Loire à Vélo® on the signposted route "Bords de Loire: d'une rive à l'autre". Departing from Tours, this loop takes you to Montlouis, Vernou-sur-Brenne, Vouvray and Rochecorbon. You'll ride along the banks of the royal river, through the vineyards of the AOC Vouvray grape variety and past troglodyte dwellings. Along the way, you can take a picnic break on the sandy beaches of Île de la Métairie, visit the Musée de la Vigne et du Vin and enjoy a wine tasting at Château de Moncontour, admire Marmoutier Abbey and finish with dinner and dancing at the Guinguette de Rochecorbon.
![Jardins et château de Villandry]()
Gardens and castle of Villandry
DAY 2 - The Loire and Villandry Castle
Go "to the end of the world" in just one day with the "Villandry at the end of the world" cycling loop, leading to the confluence of the Loire and Cher rivers at Berthenay. This signposted Loire à Vélo® trail offers exceptional panoramic views of the wild river. It takes you through typical Touraine villages, to the Grottes Pétrifiantes de Savonnières and the Château et Jardins de Villandry. You can visit this Renaissance château and its ornamental gardens before returning to Tours. On the way back, make a stop at "La Soupette de Mémère" in Savonnières. Situated along the Cher, near the port, it offers a breathtaking view of the river.
Tracks for the "Bords de Loire d'une rive à l'autre" and "Villandry au bout du monde" cycling loops can be found at the Tours Val de Loire Tourist Office or on velo-rando-touraine.fr.
Cycling loops in the Tours metropolitan area
With 15,000 km of cycle paths, including 800 km on the Loire à Vélo®, France is a cyclist's paradise. With your nose to the wind, find your own rhythm and explore Touraine by bike.
![Groupe de cyclistes en bord de Loire]()
A 1/2-day tour from Tours
Hop on your bike for a half-day nature break along the Loire à Vélo® on the "Bords de Loire: d'une rive à l'autre" route. Departing from Tours, this loop takes you to Montlouis, Vernou-sur-Brenne, Vouvray and Rochecorbon.
You'll ride along the banks of the royal river, through the vineyards of the Vouvray AOC grape variety and past troglodyte dwellings. If you'd like to extend the day's ride, you can stop for a picnic on Île de la Métairie, enjoy a wine tasting at Château de Moncontour, admire Marmoutier Abbey and, on the way back, visit the Cloître de la Psalette nestled in the heart of Tours' Cathedral of Saint-Gatien.
Loop 2: Along the Loire "from one bank to the other
Distance: 29 km
Difficulty: easy
Another idea for a shorter route: from Tours to Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire, pedal in the footsteps of Honoré de Balzac! This itinerary takes you to the key places in the life of the writer and his works: the Maison Vauquer, La Grenadière and the hamlet where he was fostered.
Special Balzac loop #2: in Balzac's footsteps, from Tours to Vouvray
Distance: 9 km
Difficulty: easy
Find all the cycling loops at the Tours Loire Valley Tourist Office or on velo-rando-touraine.fr
Bike rental
Scooter: accessible cycling for all!
The electrically-assisted three-wheeler is suitable for people with reduced mobility (PMR), and features a front seat with safety belt, making it easy and comfortable to share bike rides with family and friends.
- 40 €/day Information and rental on tours-tourisme.fr,
- at the Tours Val de Loire Tourist Office or by calling 02 47 70 37 37.
Escapade: daily rental
Are you interested in the cycling itineraries featured in the magazine Goût de Tours? Book your classic, electric or tandem bike with the Tourist Office, departing from Tours or Villandry.
- Information and reservations at tours-tourisme.fr,
- at the Tours and Villandry Tourist Offices or by calling 02 47 70 37 37.
Looking for an electric bike? EZ Bike offers a fleet of electric bikes for hire.
![Accueil vélo rando]()
Enjoy the services of Accueil Vélo & Rando
Located in the heart of town, the Accueil Vélo Rando is a multi-purpose facility dedicated to cycling. On site, you'll find tailor-made services for everyday cyclists and cyclorandonneurs (self-repair workshop, showers, lockers, electric bike and telephone recharging, etc.).
You'll also find suggestions for itineraries in the Touraine metropolis, free events and a program of guided tours to help you discover the area in a different way.
Practical info
- May to October: Monday to Saturday, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
- November to April: Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Address: 31, boulevard Heurteloup, Tours
- Further information: website - 02 47 33 17 99
![The people hostel]()
Sleep or take a break at The People
This trendy hostel, a showcase for the glory of cycling, is open to all from 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. for coffee, lunch or a drink. It's a great opportunity to meet travelers from all over the world, including those taking the Loire à Vélo®, right in the heart of Tours!
- Address: 84, avenue Grammont, Tours
- For further information, click here
