Amboise / Montlouis-sur-Loire
On this Loire à Vélo stage, the soaring Chinese-style Pagoda of Chanteloup near Amboise offers a Zen experience. Next, on to the prestigious Montlouis appellation wine area. Discover the wide range of local whites in the cellars and restaurants around here. Don’t overdo it like Gargantua, the greedy fictional giant closely linked with Touraine! This stage is relatively easy for cyclists.
Route
Enjoy some beautiful vine-covered landscapes on this route, which is mainly along quiet country roads, with a few stretches on greenways.
Links
From Amboise to the celebrated Château de Chenonceau, it’s 12 km. At Amboise, follow the cycling signposts indicating Chenonceaux, going via Rue Victor Hugo. Keep going straight on, crossing onto Rue du Clos-Chauffour. Then follow the D 81 road up to Civray-de-Touraine, followed by the D 40 road up to the Château de Chenonceau.
Gradients and elevation
Road types
Surface
Don’t miss
Amboise: the remarkable royal château; the Château du Clos-Lucé and its inventive grounds, recalling the genius of Leonardo da Vinci, who spent the last three years of his life here; St Denis Church; artist Max Ernst’s playful fountain; many wine cellars open to visitors
Lussault-sur-Loire: the major Aquarium du Val-de-Loire
Montlouis-sur-Loire: the medieval town and its historic port; the prestigious wine cellars dotted around the place; the Château de la Bourdaisière [for its formal gardens, including one devoted to tomatoes!]; summer jazz festival; October market dedicated to all things sweet.
Markets
- Amboise : Friday and Sunday morning
- Nazelles-Négron : Wednesay morning
- Montlouis-sur-Loire : Thursday morning
