Amboise / Tours
On this Scandibérique stage, to see the startling Chanteloup Pagoda, you need to follow the link towards the Cher River. Otherwise, on this stage, you stay close to the Loire, with tempting wines to be found in the many cliff-side cellars and restaurants along the way, so resist over-indulging (as well as the sun), or else you may risk arriving at an unseemly hour at your accommodation! The gentle capital of Touraine, Tours, proves very welcoming, its historic centre teeming with fine culinary stops and things to discover. To carry on downstream, cycle down Avenue de Grammont, known for hosting the final sprint in the classic Paris-Tours cycle race. This stage then takes you along some gravel stretches and portions along beautiful slopes covered in vines. Enjoy the heady mix of Loire local traditions and new sporting opportunities along here!
Gradients and elevation
Road types
Surface
The route
Some lovely stretches through vineyards, mainly along minor roads, with a few portions on greenways. From Montlouis train station, there’s a greenway beside the Loire taking you as far as Tours. Take care crossing the D751 road in Tours.
Surfacing smooth: mainly asphalt, with some stretches of compacted tracks.
Links
From Amboise to the Château de Chenonceau and the Cher à Vélo cycle route, the link is 12km long. Connection in Tours with the St-Jacques à Vélo (St James Way) cycle route, at the level of St-Symphorien suspension bridge over the Loire.
Trains
- Amboise train station
- Montlouis train station
- Tours train station
Don’t miss
- Amboise: the remarkable royal château; Le Clos-Lucé, the sumptuous home in town that King François I gave to Leonardo da Vinci, plus its playful, educational gardens; St Denis Church; many wineries with spectacular cellars open for tastings; the riverside fountain designed by artist Max Ernst.
- Montlouis-sur-Loire: the medieval town centre; the historic Loire-side port; the prestigious wine appellation covering the area; the wine cellars; the splendid château; the Carroi des Arts, an art gallery
- Tours: the historic medieval city; the Cathedral Quarter; timberframe houses scattered around the town, most spectacularly on Place Plumereau; the many museums; events staged year-round.
