Train down from Paris, or meet us in the Loire Valley. Then tour the valley’s elegant châteaux, royal forests, and beautiful scenery, by bus or by bicycle. Blois, Chambord and Cheverny are all on your route. Visit one, two, or all three, moving through the day at your own pace, with a trouble-shooter / factotum always in the background to help!
Blois is home to the valley’s most historically important château, the de facto royal palace during the golden age of the renaissance. The medieval town spills happily down the hillside surrounding the château: white stone, red brick chimneys, and roofs of blue slate.
Chambord is the valley’s biggest château, though built as a “mere” hunting lodge. A veritable jewel of renaissance architecture, 440 rooms of royal excess surrounded by a forest. Da Vinci designed the staircase, some clown diverted a river to pass in front... there is a lot going on. And finally...
Cheverny, one of the most sumptuously furnished of the region’s châteaux, and one of her most harmonious. Built in the 17th century in a unified style, Cheverny’s classical architecture presents a pleasing contrast with renaissance Chambord and largely pre-renaissance Blois.
And in between, the sunflower fields, oak forests, and babbling brooks of the Jardin de France, France’s beautiful and self-assured heartland.
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By Bike
Travel amongst the châteaux by bicycle, following dedicated bike paths and country lanes with minimal traffic. A wonderful way to feel the breezes and see the bucolic countryside of the Jardin de France. Terrain is flat, distances can be expanded or contracted to taste....
The Itinerary
Meet at Paris’ Austerlitz station, at 8:45a.
An alternate meeting is available in Blois, at 11a.
An express train brings you to the Loire Valley in 90 minutes.
We size your bikes in the Blois station forecourt, and off you go! A detailed route guide leads you on a 16-kilometer (10-mile) pedal through fields and forests, and to Chambord Castle.
All but a couple of k are on bike paths or farm lanes, and traffic is virtually absent. Our “sweep rider” follows the rear cyclist, and is available to help you learn the gears, or solve any mechanical issues.
Lunch in the forest of Chambord (not included in the price): cafés, restaurants, and picnic tables with spectacular views of the château are all available. Then in for a visit. Maybe change steeds, and go for a horseback ride in the forest.
In the afternoon, either return to Blois directly (via a different route), or tack on an excursion to Cheverny, and continue to Blois from there (39 kilometers / 25 miles via Cheverny).
Our “Sweep Rider” will follow the direct route, but will then be positioned at the Blois station until the final rider is in, to help rescue a stranded rider in case of emergency. Rental cell phones are available if desired.
Return to Paris on your own schedule: trains from Blois back to Paris run hourly until 9p.
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- Meet at Paris’ Austerlitz station, at 9a.
An alternate meeting is available in front of the Blois station, at 11a promptly.
- An express train brings us to the Loire Valley in 90 minutes.
- A bus meets your train, and takes you from the Blois station forecourt, past the Blois château (you’ll be able to visit when you return), and across the river to Chambord, a half hour away.
If you prefer to visit Blois before going out to the country châteaux, a second bus is available after lunch. See below for an overview schedule of the buses that will be at your service during the day.
- Lunch in the forest of Chambord (not included in the price): cafés, restaurants, and picnic tables with spectacular views of the château are all available. Then in for a visit. Horseback riding and cycle rental are available if you want to go for a promenade in the forest.
You may spend more or less time at Chambord, depending on how much time you wish to give to each of Chambord, Cheverny and Blois. Two buses are on offer to continue to Cheverny and Blois, one in early afternoon, one in late afternoon. An overview of all buses is shown below.
- In the afternoon, either return to Blois directly for a leisurely visit, or make an additional stop in Cheverny.
Buses from Chambord to Blois operate via Cheverny. Stop for another visit, or continue directly to Blois for a leasurely afternoon there. An overview of all buses is offered below.
- Return to Paris on your own schedule: trains from Blois back to Paris run hourly until 9p.
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Bus 1
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Bus 2
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Bus 3
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Bus 4
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| Blois Station |
11:10a
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1:40p
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–
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–
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| Chambord Château |
11:50a
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2:20p
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4:50p
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–
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| Cheverny Château |
12:15p
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2:45p
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5:15p
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6:20p
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| Blois Station |
–
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3:25p
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5:55p
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7:00p
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Prices
149€ / person, Train + Bus
Includes...
- Train from Paris to the Loire Valley and return.
A rebate is available to guests who do not need train tickets in one or both directions (railpass holders, guests travelling on from the Loire, guests reaching Blois by car....). - Bus from Blois to Chambord, Cheverny and return to Blois.
- Entry fees to one, two, or all three châteaux.
- Tour Managers, who greet you at Paris Austerlitz station, help you board the train to Blois, greet you in Blois, in Chambord, and back in Blois for assistance in boarding the return train. Also reachable by cell phone at all times.
- A “Route Guide,” including discussions of the sites en route, bus meeting times and points, and schedules for return trains to Paris.
179€ / person, Train + Bike
Includes...
- Train from Paris to the Loire Valley and return.
A discount is available to guests who do not need train tickets in one or both directions (railpass holders, guests travelling on from the Loire, guests reaching Blois by car....). - Rental of a 21-or-more speed road touring cycle, designed for distance riding on paved lanes and paths.
Equipped with seat tools, air pump, patch kit, spare inner tube, and lock. A choice of bike styles and sizes is available. The bicycle is mormally delivered to you at the Paris railway station, and reclaimed from you when you return. - Rental of a handlebar bag, equipped with a map pouch.
Has a shoulder strap, useful for carrying valuables off the bike when you stop for any reason. - Transport of a bicycle from Paris to Blois and return.
- Entry fees to one, two, or all three châteaux.
- A Trip Coordinator / Sweep Rider
Our Coordinator / Sweep Rider is present in Blois, on the ride from Blois to Chambord, in Chambord, on the return ride to Blois, and in Blois for assistance in boarding the return train. Also reachable by cell phone at all times. - A detailed “Route Guide”
Offers discussions of the sites en route, detailed cycle routes between Blois, Chambord, and Cheverny, and schedules for return trains to Paris. - Use of a detailed road map, in case you should get off-route, or choose to explore on your own.
Discounts (must be claimed at time of sign-up)
- If you do not need train tickets: 30€ (15€ if you need tickets in one direction only).
This presumes you are travelling on a railpasses, or are meeting and / or leaving the group in Blois. - If you bring your own bicycle: 40€
- Age-Based Discounts (not cumulable with railpass discount)
- 11 and younger: 50€
- 12 - 25: 20€
- 60+ years old: 10€ - Groups: 3 or more travellers: 10€ / person. 4 or more travellers: 20€ / person.
Any one person can only qualify for either an age-based or a group discount, whichever is greater. The two discounts are not cumulable. Thus, if your group is comprised of 4 people, and some qualify for higher, age-based discounts, those who do may claim them, and those who do not will receive the appropriate “group” discount.
How to Sign Up.
Please fill out a trip reservation request. If part of your group is doing the trip by bike, and part by train, you will need to fill out two separate reservations, one for each part of your group.
Temporary Note, June 2008: this new trip has not yet been added to our automated reservation system. It will be added in the course of the month of June. In the mean time, please contact us by phone or e.mail to reserve.
If space is available, we will reply with a confirmation the same day (or the next morning if your request comes in at the end of the afternoon, Paris time). With this confirmation, we will request additional information concerning your bike (if applicable), and any discounts (rebated post-trip) for which you may qualify. We will also give you the exact meeting places at Austerlitz station, or in Blois.
Trip Cancellation
Trips require a minimum of 4 participants to operate. In the event of fewer participants, we will make the decision to cancel the trip 3 days prior to trip departure, at the close of business.
On your application form, please be sure to give us a means to reach you. If an e.mail address, be sure to check your e.mail. If you are travelling, and cannot give us a way to reach you, call us to confirm the conditions of operation of your trip.
In the event of a cancellation, registered participants will have a choice of either:
- A full refund
- Making the trip independently, with a “Route Book” provided by us.
There is no reduction in price if this option is selected. A Blue Marble Travel / Fat Tire representative meets you at the Austerlitz station at the regular meeting time, briefs you on the day’s activities, and remits any equipment ordered, as well as the route book.