You travel independently to Tours. Check in at your hotel. If you have arrived early, take a stroll through the town centre of the friendly capital of what is called ´the Garden of France. 

This Saint-Jacques à Vélo stage alternates between quiet country roads and greenways, running beside waterways lined by fields and pastures. Starting by crossing what the French describe as the last great wild river in Europe, the Loire awaits you with a lovely cycle path along the north bank. Cross the Pays du Vouvray, where Touraine’s famed vineyards yield a fine array of white wines. Halfway, you enter the Pays Gâtine Tourangelle to end your day in the peaceful town of Château-Renault. 

Challenge : 42 km, 308m ascent, 239m descent

Today, start in the countryside, through the cultivated valleys of Castelrenaudais, between the Loir and Loire valleys. Continue on to the North, where the route winds along a tributary of the Loir for a few kilometers. Change banks at Lavardin, “Most beautiful villages in France” nestled at the foot of the ruins of its castle, and reach Montoire-sur-le-Loir, a town with a medieval heritage and old residences bordering the river. Further on, your route passes through the nautical base of Villiers-sur-Loir, it is a great opportunity to cool off before cutting through the Vendôme countryside. End of the stage in Vendôme, a city with a rich heritage, ideal for a historic, cultural and gourmet break!

Challenge : 53.5 km, 299m ascent, 312m descent

Today you will discover the landscapes of South Vendômois and North Blaisois, between the Cisse valley and Petite Beauce. From village to village, crossing fields and woods, through the Grand Pierre et Vitain Nature Reserve, admire the wealth of small local heritage, which will take you on a journey from Prehistory to the Middle Ages. When you arrive in Blois, take a walk around the town which is known for its pale-coloured stone facades and slate roofs, its pedestrian streets gracefully preserving the flavour of lost centuries and its serene atmosphere. Also worth a visit is the Royal Chateau de Blois, the residence of several French kings. 

Challenge : 50.9 km, 198m ascent, 209m descent

From Blois you follow the southern bank of the Loire. Between rolling hills with vineyards, you cycle to Candé-sur-Beuvron. Cycle back along the Beuvron to the majestic Loire. High on the bank is the elegant castle of Chaumont-sur-Loire surrounded by beautiful gardens. You are in the historic region Touraine. Visit a wine grower and taste a local ‘sauvignon blanc´. Enjoy the grandeur of the Château Amboise and Clos-Lucé where Leonardo da Vinci once stayed.

Challenge : 42.5 km, 204m ascent, 209m descent

Leave the medieval atmosphere of Amboise behind you and cycle to the famous “Château de Chenonceau” which straddles the Cher River with its five distinctive arches. It was this chateau which was given by King Henri II to his mistress Diane de Poitiers and later recovered, after his death, by his widow Queen Catherine de Médicis. Continue your cycling day to the region of the prestigious ´Montlouis’ wines. The ideal microclimate, close to where the Loire and Cher unite, produces grapes of a unique quality. Discover this for yourself during a visit to a wine cellar or a lunchbreak. A fine track brings you back to Tours. Here great experiences are awaiting you like the magnificent cathedral and basilica, the famous Place Plumereau, Olivier Debré Art Centre, Botanical Garden, flavors of the markets. 

Challenge : 55.4 km, 212m ascent, 226m descent

End of your trip after breakfast. We advise you to extend your stay in order to take the time to visit the beautiful city of Tours.