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Blois > Orléans
79 km via Chambord or 66 km by the most direct route
This stage is fairly long but is generally easy-going, even if you decide to go on a detour via Chambord - almost a must-see route. This is because, for a EuroVelo 6 traveller, how could we possibly do without a souvenir photo in front of such a famous château? On the approach to Orléans, the historic little towns of Beaugency, and to a lesser extent, Meung-sur-Loire (pronounced "man"), are also all worth a stop.
Like Tours, Orléans is a city with a rich heritage and a vibrant cultural life. This could provide the ideal opportunity to reward yourself with a day off to enjoy it.
Access
 | en trainBlois: About 10 trains per day to Tours or Orléans. |
Itinerary
There are two options from Blois:
- If you are really pressed for time (but please make sure you don't miss the châteaux along then way, which are not open to visitors), we can leave Blois by the north bank arrive at the Muides-sur-Loire bridge within 20 km, where the route can fork off to go via Chambord.
- This latter route would be the best to follow, with its château that is bound to end up as on of the most striking images of your trip. To take this route, leave Blois in the direction of Vineuil instead of following the south bank of the river by a cycle path. This will take you on a route that alternates between small roads and lanes through the countryside, vineyards and forests to reach the château of Chambord in just twenty kilometres.
Once you leave the castle with its 282 chimneys, go back to the Loire at the old port of Chambord, Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire and switch over to the north bank, 4km away, over the Muides-sur-Loire bridge, specially adapted for cyclists.
Then zip down a very fast route to Lestiou. Here there are two options to get to Beaugency. Go via an unpaved cycle path along the river - pleasant in good weather - or follow the road that passes through Tavers.
From Beaugency to Orléans (switching over to the south bank at Meung-sur-Loire), the route follows roads almost exclusively shared but which are never very busy. It is a quiet and pleasant journey. Arriving in the Orléans area, at Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Mesmin, campers can leave the route to get to the Olivet campsite, where the banks of the Loiret, a small tributary of the Loire, provide local people with one of their favourite walks.
From the Europe Bridge, leaving Saint-Pryvé-Saint-Mesmin, a dedicated cycle path runs along the banks of the Loire to reach the historic centre of Orléans, and to the station.
Tourist destinations
Blois
Les p’tits Clous
These are four walking tours of Blois, marked with nails of bronze ('clou' being a nail, in French), designed to give visitors an understanding of French living for nearly the whole of the past millennium! Each circular circuit, about 2 kilometres long, enables you to explore a particular area of Blois.
A must-see in the Loire Valley, the Royal Castle of Blois is at once a museum of architecture and of the history of the castles of the Loire, as it has been expanded over the centuries, depending on the style in fashion in each era. Its courtyard is framed with Gothic, Renaissance and Classical façades. But a visit to the apartments is also de rigueur, because as the home of seven kings and ten queens of France, the Château de Blois is particularly evocative of the power and daily life of the Renaissance Court.
Maison de la Magie
A performance venue, museum and interactive site on the magic arts, the Maison de la Magie extends over 2000m² and five levels: machines, optical games, large-scale illusions, the history of magic, the life and work Robert Houdin, evening theatre full of entertainment and magicians, and an 'hallucinoscope' designed and created by Gérard Majax, not to mention a true magic show that combines great illusions and magical effects!
Chambord
With its 128 metres of façades, 440 rooms and 282 chimneys, the Château de Chambord is the largest of the castles in the Loire Valley. A former hunting ground of the Counts of Blois, the château nestles in the heart of a 5500 hectare park (4500 hectares of which is given over to woodland) which is now a national hunting reserve (late September, on reservation, visitors can go to hear bellowing of the stags). Its refined Renaissance façades contrast with the profusion of tiny windows, chimneys, spires and steeples that can be viewed at leisure from the stunning Italian-style terrace.
On summer evenings, the castle serves as a backdrop for large-scale shows.
Please note that entrance to the château is free for under-18s.
Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire
A cluster of Renaissance houses dotted along quiet, shaded streets. The fifteenth century church is listed as an historic monument.
« Ecotourism » - Maison de la Loire
Founded in 1987 and housed in a former seventeenth century coach-house, the Maison de la Loire in Loir-et-Cher gives an educational presentation to raise awareness of the Loire river, its heritage and its environment.
Beaugency
A comrade-in-arms of Joan of Arc, Jean, Bâtard d’Orleans became Count of Dunois and, through his marriage to Marie d'Harcourt, Lord of Beaugency. Built on the site of the old medieval fortress, he lived in this castle for seventeen years. His descendants fitted out the building in the Renaissance style. The house was sold as a national treasure during the Revolution, before the Loiret region acquired it in the nineteenth century.
The Notre-Dame Church of the late eleventh century was rebuilt in the seventeenth century, after the Wars of Religion. It retains many characteristics of the local Romanesque architecture. It played host to the religious council which declared the marriage of King Louis VII of France with Eleanor of Aquitaine invalid.
Meung-sur-Loire
Castle of the Bishops of Orléans
After being reconstructed several times, the castle has two aspects: a classical façade, pink and inviting, and another, medieval and austere - a reminder that the poet François Villon was imprisoned under the castle.
Orléans
In the city centre, the Place du Martroi is without a doubt the most symbolic square in Orléans. A huge statue of Joan of Arc astride a horse stands in the middle of the square.
Of all the cathedrals of France, Sainte-Croix d'Orleans is the one with the oldest roots. The foundations of the original fourth century basilica can be seen in the crypt. Its current form, due to the renovations undertaken by Henri IV and his successors, make this the most famous example of the popularity of flamboyant Gothic art.
Joan of Arc Celebrations (late April - early May)
Celebrated almost without interruption since 1430, the celebrations commemorate Joan of Arc and her famous procession after the city was won back from the English in 1429. Added to the procession of all the notable people of the city is now a great deal of medieval themed entertainment.
Practical informations
bike rentals
 | Blois, Beaugency, Orléans. |
 | Traîneurs de Loire
Blois
Chambord Place St Louis
|
 | Kit Loisirs www.kitloisirs.com 1720, rue Marcel Belot |
Orléans 06.08.31.44.01 |
tourist offices
 | Blois Tél. 02 54 90 41 41 |
 | Beaugency www.beaugency.fr/decouvrir-beaugency/office-de-tourisme Tél. 02 38 44 54 42 |
 | Meung-sur-Loire http://visitez-meungsurloire.fr Tél. 02 38 44 32 28 |
 | Orléans www.tourisme-orleans.com Tél. 02 38 24 05 05 |
maps and guidebooks
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weather
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