Simply Wanderfull
Table of Contents
Bonjour Mes Amis! Have you ever dreamed of cycling through picturesque vineyards, sipping world-class French wines, dining in elegant restaurants, and waking up in charming château hotels, then the Loire Valley should be at the top of your travel bucket list. Our journey through the Loire Valley by bike was everything we imagined and more, a perfect blend of adventure, luxury, and French charm. Some of my favourite memories from biking through the Loire Valley, the sweet scent of wildflowers drifting along the trail, the birds singing as we pedalled beside the Loire River, and those tiny, storybook villages that seemed to appear around every bend.
And then there was the cheese… and oh boy, the wine!
There was something so magical about experiencing the Loire Valley this way slowly, on two wheels, with time to soak it all in. It truly felt like we were pedalling through a postcard. This was one of those special trips that stays with you long after you’ve come home.
Why Bike The Loire Valley?
So, why bike the Loire Valley? Well, it all started with a bottle of Sancerre. My friend and I were relaxing by the pool one day, talking about how much we loved Sancerre wine, when one of us said, “Why don’t we go there?” That conversation was the spark that ignited the entire trip. Before long, we were researching vineyards, mapping out charming villages, and dreaming of château stays. And because no Simply Wanderfull adventure would be complete without a little adventure mixed with a touch of luxury, we decided to experience the Loire Valley by e-bike! Our days would be spent cycling through vineyards and picturesque countryside, while evenings would end with exceptional meals, remarkable wines, and beautiful hotels.
Thankfully, my friend and I love to plan holidays. For months, we carefully researched the Loire Valley to create a luxurious and adventurous itinerary. If you’re interested in exploring more of our planned trips, be sure to check out our adventures in Sardinia, Iceland, The Azores, the Canadian Maritimes, and Adventure Quebec and many more! In preparation for our journey, we created a Essential Packing List (download here for free!) and a colourful Tri-Folded Itinerary Brochure that includes all your travel details at your fingertips. For our trip this year, I added an extra special touch by creating a Loire Valley handbook that included beautiful pages of our itinerary, the wines of each region, the foods we tried, and a section for journalling our thoughts and memories for this trip. It is a really nice keepsake to remember our trip.
The Loire Valley Overview
Just a couple of hours south of Paris, the Loire Valley feels a world away, with beautiful châteaux, rolling vineyards, charming villages, and scenic cycling routes. Our 10-day journey took us from Saumur to Amboise, followed by a relaxing countryside stay, before ending in Sancerre.
We flew into Paris, picked up a rental car at the airport, and drove straight to Saumur. From there, we made our way through the Loire Valley to Sancerre before returning to Paris for our flight home. With our focus on wine country, we skipped an overnight stay in Paris and headed straight for the Loire Valley.
Getting Around the Loire Valley & Our cycling route
While the Loire Valley is famous for its cycling routes, we decided to combine the flexibility of a rental car with the fun of exploring each destination by e-bike. We drove between Saumur, Amboise, and Sancerre. Our cycling adventure took us through three distinct regions of the Loire Valley, each with its own charm and character.
We began in Saumur, pedaling through vineyards and storybook villages along the Loire River. Next, we explored the areas surrounding the countryside of Amboise, combining scenic rides with unforgettable wine tastings and a very special French cooking class. We wrapped up our journey in Sancerre, where two days of cycling led us through rolling vineyards, charming wine villages, and some of the most memorable tastings of the entire trip. Each destination offered a unique perspective on the Loire Valley, making every ride feel like a new adventure. Here is a handy guide below and links to the bike shops that we used to book our e-bikes.
Insider Tips for Cycling the Loire Valley
One of the questions that you might ask is, “How easy is it to navigate the Loire Valley by bike?” While the region has an excellent network of cycling trails, there were definitely moments when we found ourselves second-guessing which way to go.
Our biggest recommendation is to download the Geovelo app before your trip. Designed specifically for cyclists, it does a great job of keeping you on dedicated bike paths and quieter country roads whenever possible. We also found it helpful to use Google Maps alongside Geovelo. While Google Maps is excellent for finding wineries, restaurants, and hotels, it sometimes directed us onto busier roads instead of the scenic cycling routes.
Another item we wouldn’t leave home without is a phone mount for your handlebars. Having your route visible while you ride makes navigation much easier and allows you to enjoy the scenery instead of constantly stopping to check directions.
Our approach was simple: use Geovelo as our primary navigation tool and Google Maps as a backup when we needed to locate a specific destination. Whenever possible, we chose the dedicated bike routes even if they added a few extra minutes to the ride. Those peaceful paths winding through vineyards, charming villages, and along the Loire River were often the most memorable part of the journey.
The Itinerary
Day 1: Saumur
Our journey on the Loire Valley by bike started in Saumur, France where we stayed for two nights at the beautiful hotel Anne D’Ajou, Saumur. The town of Saumur is picturesque and quaint town situated right on the Loire river. I really loved this little town, cobblestone roads, quaint shops and great restaurants with plenty to choose from! On this day we picked up our e-bikes in advance at Cyclo de Loire for our next days adventure! This was exciting our bike adventure begins!
For dinner on our first night we made a reservation for the restaurant La Table Mi K’L. Dinner at La Table Mi K’L in Saumur was such a treat—the food was beautifully prepared, organically grown produce and farm-to-table menu, full of flavour, and easily one of those meals we were still talking about long after we left.
Day 2: E-Biking, Wine Tasting, Turquant, Montsoreau & Candes-Saint-Martin
We could hardly wait to start our first ride! After a beautiful breakfast at the hotel, we hopped on our e-bikes and headed out along the Loire River. With birds singing, wildflowers lining the trail, and peaceful paved paths ahead of us, I remember thinking, this is exactly how I imagined biking through France would feel.
Our first stop of the day was Domaine Rocheville, a beautiful winery tucked into the countryside near the tiny village of Turquant. We booked the Gourmet Stroll in the Heart of the Troglos. This tour included a tour of the winery, a wine tasting and then lunch in the village of Turquant. Our tour at Domaine Rocheville was fascinating. We learned about some of their unique winemaking techniques, including the use of cuves ovoïdes en porcelaine beautiful egg-shaped porcelain vessels used in the winemaking process and explored the troglodyte caves carved into the limestone where their wines are stored and aged. Of course, the best part was the tasting! We sampled everything from elegant Saumur Blanc and refreshing Saumur Rosé to rich Saumur-Champigny and delicate, bubbly Crémant de Loire. It was such a fun introduction to the wines of the Saumur region.
After our wine tasting, we jumped back onto our ebikes and headed through the countryside towards Turquant for our included lunch (note lunch was not at the winery). And then… our first little biking mishap! Picture us in the middle of the French countryside when suddenly my friend’s bike chain falls off. Now what?! Thankfully, she knew exactly how to put it back on a skill I quickly decided everyone should learn before heading out on a biking adventure! After plenty of laughing, a little teamwork, and some very greasy fingers, we were back in business and on our way to L’Hélianthe in Turquant for a well-earned lunch. Let’s just say we definitely earned that glass of wine! The restaurant is housed in a troglodyte dwelling.
Our lunch was delicious, and thank goodness we were getting back on the bike because we were so full! We continued on our e-biking adventure towards the the villages of Montsoreau and then Candes-Saint-Martin. It was truly memorable. We couldn’t have planned a more perfect day for e-biking along the Loire.
Dinner at L’Essentiel was such a lovely way to end our day in Saumur. This Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant was relaxed and welcoming, yet every dish felt a little special. The food was fresh, beautifully prepared, and absolutely delicious and paired with a great bottle of Loire wine, it was one of those easy, memorable dinners that we just loved.
Day 3: Fontevraud-L'Abbaye, Villandry, Vouvrey & Amboise
On our third day we got in our car and made our way towards Amboise, France with stops along the way. Our first stop took us to the village of Fontevraud-l’Abbaye best known for the magnificent Royal Abbey of Fontevraud, the final resting place of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry II and Richard the Lionheart. The day that we visited there was an outdoor market where we had some good laughs trying clothes on in the middle of the square. Quite memorable! After this quick stop, we ventured off to the land of castles!
Our first château stop was the beautiful Château de Villandry, and honestly, the gardens stole the show. They are absolutely breathtaking perfectly manicured and arranged in beautiful geometric patterns, with flowers, fountains, vegetable gardens, and even a maze to wander through. The attention to detail is incredible, and seeing it all from above makes you appreciate just how grand it really is. If you’re visiting the Loire Valley, Villandry is definitely worth adding to your list.
Next, we hopped back in the car and made our way to the lively and picturesque town of Amboise, where we would spend the night at Au Charme Rabelaisien. After checking in, we wasted no time, we picked up our e-bikes from Loire Bikes and set off toward Vouvray for an afternoon wine tasting at Domaine Huet.
I’ll be honest, this wasn’t our easiest biking day. We quickly discovered that parts of the route to Vouvray weren’t on the peaceful bike paths we had become used to, and there were a few stretches that felt a little busier than we would have liked. We made it to Domaine Huet, enjoyed our tasting, and if we were to do this particular outing again, we would probably drive instead.
But the bike ride back to Amboise had a wonderful little silver lining. Along the way, we stumbled upon the sweetest little café and decided it was definitely time for a break. Sitting there in the French countryside, tired legs and all, enjoying wine, cheese, and a French baguette. I was completely in my happy place.
That evening, we had dinner at the Michelin-starred Château de Pray. While we were excited to try it, unfortunately, the experience just wasn’t for us. Looking back, I would have preferred to stay closer to our hotel and enjoy one of the many wonderful restaurants right in Amboise. Sometimes even the best-planned travel moments don’t quite hit the mark and that’s all part of the adventure!
Day 4: Chenonceau, Chedigney, Hauts De Loire, Family Vineyard, & fine Dining
Our fourth day began with our second castle visit and my favourite. The Château de Chenonceau is one of the Loire Valley’s most beautiful and unique castles, famous for its elegant galleries stretching right across the Cher River. Known as the “Ladies’ Château” for the remarkable women who shaped its history, it’s absolutely worth visiting for the stunning architecture, gorgeous gardens, and picture-perfect setting. We took the audio tour in English and it took us about an hour and a half to do the tour and it was definitely worth it!
After our castle tour, we deviated slightly off our route by car and stopped in the village of Chedigny, France. This is one of France’s most pituresque villages. We spent some time simply wandering its pretty streets, admiring the roses, flower-covered houses, and beautiful gardens along the way. We stopped for a leisurely lunch at the Cafe De Chedigny and absolutely loved the whole experience. I will never forget my lunch that day, and the pea velouté with a slightly sweet whipped cream. I have never tasted something so different and so good!
After our amazing lunch in Chedigny, we continued on in the car towards our hotel Les Hauts de Loire. Driving up the long driveway into the hotel was like arriving in a fairy tale castle setting. Nestled in the woods, this Relais & chateaux property is elegant, manicured and very welcoming. We were greeted with a glass of champagne a bite sized snack called an amuse-bouches.
One of our favourite little surprises was walking from Les Hauts de Loire to nearby Domaine de Rabelais, where the owners welcomed us for a wonderful wine tasting and proudly shared their knowledge of the Loire Valley, its wines, and the region they so clearly love. I loved this memory.
Dinner at Les Hauts de Loire was one of those evenings I’ll never forget. We settled into the beautiful dining room for an incredible seven-course experience, and from the moment we sat down, everything felt special. The service was warm and attentive, and our sommelier made the evening even more memorable, pairing each course with wonderful French wines and sharing his knowledge along the way. This was exactly the kind of long, leisurely French dinner I had dreamed about when we planned this trip—and somehow, it was even better than I imagined. Beautiful food, exceptional wine, wonderful company… I remember sitting there feeling incredibly grateful. For me, this was one of the true highlights of our entire Loire Valley adventure.
Day 5: A French Cooking Day I’ll Never Forget
Of all the days we had planned, this was the one I had been looking forward to the most our French cooking class! Anyone who knows me knows how much I love to cook, so spending a day cooking, learning, and eating in the French countryside was pretty much a dream come true. After reading Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child, I was definitely channeling my inner Julia Child that day and hoping for a little French cooking magic of my own.
Before our trip, we researched cooking schools throughout the Loire Valley, hoping to find something authentic, hands-on, and a little off the beaten path. In my opinion, we found the perfect place: La Grange aux Savoir-Faire. Even better, it was close enough to Les Hauts de Loire that we could hop on our e-bikes and cycle there for the day. I mean, really e-biking through the French countryside to a cooking class? This is my kind of travel!
And this wasn’t just a cooking class. It was a true garden-to-table experience. Our morning began outside in the garden, gathering fresh vegetables and herbs that would become part of the dishes we prepared that day. From there, we rolled up our sleeves and got cooking. We learned French cooking techniques, made pastries and fresh pesto, prepared chicken, and tackled so many dishes and techniques along the way. We cooked, tasted, learned, laughed and, of course, ate! Thank you to Camille and the whole team for a wonderful cooking day! I can’t wait to return one day soon.
By the end of the day, I actually had tears in my eyes. I felt completely overwhelmed with gratitude. Here I was in the Loire Valley, surrounded by beautiful countryside, learning about French food from people passionate about what they do, and sharing the experience with my dear friend. These are the moments I travel for. I truly believe cooking together brings people together and can even be healing.
Read more about why cooking together means so much to me here: The Healing Power Of Cooking Together.
That evening, we kept things wonderfully simple and ate at the pub back at Les Hauts de Loire. We sat outside with glasses of wine, reminiscing about our incredible day and laughing with our fabulous waiter. After such a special experience, we didn’t need anything more.
Another beautiful day in the Loire and another reason I completely fell in love with this part of France.
Day 6: Bonjour Sancerre!
Today we were off to Sancerre, and I was beyond excited! We had so much planned for this part of our trip, so with a little over two hours of driving ahead of us, we got an early start and hit the road.
Arriving in Sancerre is pretty spectacular in itself. Perched high on a hill and surrounded by rolling vineyards, the village is absolutely beautiful. And then we arrived at our hotel, Les Hauts de Sancerre, WOW! This newly opened château hotel was easily one of the most incredible places I have ever stayed. Our circular room was perched high above the village with spectacular views stretching across Sancerre and the surrounding countryside. We honestly felt like two princesses living in our own French castle. This hotel is something special.
To get acquainted with the region and the wine we had travelled all this way for we started at the Maison des Sancerre. This interactive wine museum is a great introduction to what makes Sancerre so unique, from its different soils and terroir to the winemaking process itself. After a short film, we used the tasting tokens included with our admission to sample some Sancerre wine. Not a bad way to start our first day!
From there, we wandered into the village for lunch. One little tip when visiting Sancerre: plan your day around mealtimes. It’s a small village, and many restaurants finish lunch service around 2:00 p.m. and don’t reopen for dinner until around 7:00 p.m. We quickly learned that when in France, you eat when the French eat!
That afternoon, we headed back to the hotel for a wine tasting, which turned out to be so much fun. It was interactive and relaxed, and we met some wonderful people along the way including a group of women attending an immersive French-language retreat. They absolutely loved it and highly recommended the experience for anyone dreaming of learning French while living in France for a little while. How fun is that?
After dinner in the village, we had one more adventure in us. We climbed the Tour des Fiefs, where we were rewarded with an incredible 360-degree view over the rooftops of Sancerre, the vineyards, and the countryside beyond. Standing at the top and taking it all in was spectacular and the perfect ending to our first day in Sancerre.
Another beautiful day in France, and we were only just beginning to discover the place that inspired this entire adventure.
Day 7: Pouilly-Fume, Brocante, Lunch On the Loire, Cheese Farm, Fancy Dinner
Today we grabbed our e-bikes right from Les Hauts de Sancerre and set off for Pouilly-Fumé, just across the Loire River and famous for its Sauvignon Blanc. This was such a beautiful ride, taking us along peaceful bike paths, through tiny villages, and out into the countryside. The weather was perfect, the scenery was gorgeous, and it was one of those days when being on a bike just felt so good.
We stopped for a tasting at Domaine Pierre Marchand et Fils, where the owner gave us such a warm welcome and the wine was oh so good!
After our tasting, we hopped back on our e-bikes and followed the Loire toward Pouilly-sur-Loire, where we stumbled upon a charming French brocante filled with antiques and vintage treasures. It was one of those unexpected finds that made the day feel so wonderfully French.
Next came one of my favourite lunches of the entire trip at La Mandragore. We sat outside along the Loire, sipping a beautiful Pouilly-Fumé and enjoying a fresh salad topped with the most delicious warm goat cheese. Wine, cheese, sunshine, and the Loire River beside us—I was in heaven!
From there, we cycled back across the Loire toward Sancerre. Looking up and seeing the village perched high on the hill in the distance was one of those “pinch me, am I really here?” moments. Before heading back, we made one last stop at a local goat farm near the river to taste the famous Crottin de Chavignol. And yes… it was every bit as delicious as you’d imagine.
After such a fun day of exploring, we headed back to Les Hauts de Sancerre for a little downtime before getting dressed up for dinner at the hotel. It turned out to be another memorable meal, with wonderful food, warm service, and a wine pairing that made each course even better. We ended the evening with one more climb up the Tour des Fiefs, just in time to catch a gorgeous sunset over the vineyards. What a way to end the day!
Day 8: Discovering The Wines Of Sancerre
Today our last day in France, we hopped back on our e-bikes for another beautiful day exploring the French countryside. This time, it was all about Sancerre. The rolling vineyards, charming villages, and, of course, the wine that inspired this entire adventure in the first place. We had finally made it to Sancerre wine country, and we couldn’t wait to taste, explore, and discover what made this region so special.
Our first stop was a quick tasting at Pascal Jolivet, followed by what turned out to be one of our favourite wineries in Sancerre Domaine Vincent Gaudry. We had pre-booked a private tasting with the owner, and it was such a memorable experience. His pride in his family’s wines and the Sancerre region came through in every glass and we absolutely loved the wines!
From there, we hopped back on our bikes and made our way through the vineyards to the tiny village of Chavignol. This was one of those rides I’ll never forget—quiet country roads, pretty villages, flowers along the way, and birds singing in the background. It was peaceful, beautiful, and so very French. Have I mentioned how much I love France?
Chavignol itself was quiet, especially on a Monday when many places were closed, but we managed to stop at Domaine Hubert Brochard for one last tasting before cycling back to Sancerre.
That evening, we enjoyed our final dinner in the village and reminisced about everything this adventure had given us the beautiful rides, incredible wines, peaceful countryside, and, most of all, the laughs we shared along the way. What a trip.
Hotels Highlighted
Here are the links to the hotels that we stayed in along our Loire e-biking adventure.
Saumur: Hotel Anne D’Anjou
Amboise: Au Charme Rabelaisien.
Loire Countryside: Les Hauts Des Loire
Sancerre: Hauts De Sancerre
Au Revoir, Loire Valley
I hope my photos and stories have given you a little glimpse into just how special the Loire Valley truly is. For me, this trip was everything I love about travel rolled into one—biking through the countryside, wandering without rushing, staying in beautiful places, eating incredible food, drinking wonderful wine, and sharing plenty of laughs along the way. In so many ways, it was the true meaning of Simply Wanderfull to wander, to slow down, and to leave wonderfully full from all the experiences along the way.
But what I’ll remember most are the people. The French were warm, welcoming, and so proud to share their wine, food, countryside, and way of life with us. They patiently listened as we stumbled through our French, helped us find the right words, and always seemed to have time for a conversation. I loved that. Life felt a little slower there, a little simpler, and somehow a little fuller.
I came home incredibly grateful not only for the places we saw, but for the reminder to slow down, enjoy the moment, share good food and wine, and make time for the people around us. I hope our little French biking adventure inspires you to wander through the Loire Valley one day too. And if it does, send me a message, I’d absolutely love to help you plan it.
Wow Jody what an amazing adventure. I love reading about your trips your attention to detail when describing makes me feel like I’m there. Thanks for taking me along 💕
what a awesome trip I enjoyed checking this one .I almost felt I was there to . I must get you to plan my next adventure you are good !! You two looked like you had a enjoyable time ! Cheers
Thank you🙏🏼 Love ya💕
What a dream vacation! Your writing makes us feel like we are there! Thankyou for sharing your awesome adventure!
Ahh, thank you Dana! I really appreciate the feedback and I’m so happy that it made it feel like you were there with us!😍💕