Cœur de France à vélo, Cher Valley and Berry Canal free-wheeling!
What a joy it is to cycle along the water! You can enjoy a peaceful ride through natural surroundings to the sound of birdsong here and the sight of the sun glittering on the surface of the water there. This is what peaceful, quiet and rejuvenating holidays are all about!
Cœur de France à vélo, a new bike path for the ride of your life.
Cycling holidays are a huge success: lots of bike tourists hit the Loire by bike, Cyclo Bohème and Saint-Jacques à vélo cycling trails. And they can now tackle a new playground with the Cœur de France à vélo bike path (véloroute n°46), a leafy trail on the banks of the Cher Valley and Berry Canal.
NB: the section between Montrichard and Vierzon is due to be completed in 2025.
Highlights on the Cœur de France à Vélo bike path
The Cher river by bike
The Cœur de France à Vélo bike path may officially start in Tours but let’s not forget that a few miles away, the Cher runs into the Loire nearby the fabulous Villandry grounds. A great place to start!
Head east out of the Touraine capital (north shore, to Montrichard, Vierzon and Bourges) and the urban setting soon fades away. The Cher to your right, fields and woodlands to your left and up ahead… your holiday!
Between Véretz and Azay-sur-Cher is the first needle dam and its lock. There are 15 between Tours and Noyers-sur-Cher. Level with the next one near Château de Nitray (visit, winetasting and a restaurant in summer), you can see a lovely lockkeeper’s house.
Coeur de France à vélo
Château de Nitray
The Bistro'Quai
Azay-sur-Cher
The beautiful Cher Valley!
Keep riding along the south bank to Bléré (with a campsite) after crossing the river over Azay-sur-Cher bridge. Venture a few miles further on the north bank and you’ll find La Boulaye restaurant, and the Canoë Company (canoe hire, food and drink at Le Bistro’Quai and River Camp campsite!). Glide under the Château de Chenonceau‘s arches on a canoe before heading inside for a tour! Or glide after the visit, with Canoe aventure, in Chisseaux.
But if you fancy saving your energy for your bike ride, hop on board a boat run by La Bélandre!
La Bélandre and Château de Chenonceau
What’s next? The medieval town of Montrichard, and from 2025, Saint-Aignan and its famous Beauval Zoo! From there you will reach the Berry Canal along to Vierzon, Bourges (its huge cathedral, Palais Jacques Cœur etc.) and Montluçon.
Two big bike loops
You can either just ride from A to B or hook the Cœur de France à vélo bike path up to other “véloroutes” so you can plan stays looping around Touraine that take you back to your start point.
Sample loop via Amboise:
- Day 1: Tours to Chenonceaux on the Cœur de France à vélo bike path (27km)
- Day 2: Chenonceaux to Amboise on the Loire à vélo bike path (20km)
- Day 3: Amboise to Tours on the Loire à vélo bike path (30km)
Sample loop via Loches:
- Day 1: Tours to Chenonceaux on the Cœur de France à vélo bike path (27km)
- Day 2: Chenonceaux to Loches on the Cyclo Bohème bike path (33km)
- Day 3: Loches to Tours on the Cyclo Bohème then Saint-Jacques à vélo bike paths (49km).
Then you can include “bike-free” days to visit sites (Chateau of Chenonceau, Royal chateau of Amboise or Royal city of Loches) and get the most out of your break!
Biking holidays along the River Cher - Chenonceau castle
Cher by bike - Cœur de France à vélo