Tours to Villandry by Bike

Route Overview

The Tours to Villandry route is the ideal introduction to Loire Valley cycling. At just 18 kilometers, it's short enough for families with children, beginners, or anyone wanting a half-day adventure without the commitment of longer routes. Despite its brevity, the route offers everything that makes Touraine cycling special: river views, quiet country paths, and a spectacular destination.

You'll follow the Cher River west from Tours, passing through the confluence where the Cher meets the Loire — a dramatic landscape of braided channels and islands. The final stretch takes you through the village of Savonnières before arriving at Villandry, where the château's terraced gardens rise above the valley in geometric splendor.

Highlights Along the Way

The Cher-Loire Confluence

Around kilometer 8, you'll reach one of Touraine's most photogenic landscapes. The Cher River, which you've been following since Tours, flows into the mighty Loire. This meeting creates a complex geography of islands, sandbanks, and braided channels. In late summer when water levels are low, you can walk out onto the sandbanks. In spring, the combined flow creates a powerful current visible from the cycling path.

This is also one of the best bird-watching spots in the region. Herons, egrets, cormorants, and seasonal migrants use the confluence as a feeding ground. Bring binoculars if you're interested — there's a small viewing platform with information panels about local wildlife.

Quiet Country Paths

Between the confluence and Villandry, the route transitions from riverside cycling to quiet country roads through market gardens and orchards. This section is particularly beautiful in spring when fruit trees blossom, and in autumn when the garden plots are harvested. The roads are shared with occasional farm vehicles but rarely see tourist traffic.

Arrival at Villandry Gardens

The approach to Villandry is memorable. You'll catch your first glimpse of the château's Renaissance towers from about 2 kilometers away, rising above the Cher Valley. As you get closer, the geometric gardens come into view — ornamental parterre gardens on the château terrace, water gardens below, and vegetable gardens laid out in decorative patterns.

Arriving by bike gives you a different perspective than car visitors. You approach from the valley floor, cycling through the village before ascending gently to the château entrance. It's a gradual reveal that builds anticipation.

Detailed Route Description

From Tours, exit the city heading west along the Cher River's south bank. The path begins as an urban greenway, passing through parks and residential areas for the first 3 kilometers. Don't worry — it quickly becomes more scenic once you clear the city limits.

Between kilometers 3 and 8, the landscape opens up. Poplars line the riverbank, and you'll cycle past small riverside guinguettes (casual waterside restaurants) and boat launches. The surface here is about 60% paved, 40% hard-packed gravel — all smooth and well-maintained.

The confluence section offers multiple viewpoints. You can stop, lock your bike, and walk down to the water's edge. This is the route's scenic highlight, so allow 15-20 minutes for photos and simply taking in the landscape.

From Berthenay onward, the path joins very quiet country roads. These are designated véloroutes with clear signage. You'll pass through agricultural land — asparagus fields, lettuce plots, and fruit orchards that supply Tours' markets. There are a few gentle rises (barely noticeable) before descending into Villandry.

Bike Rental for This Route

Because this is such a short route, it's perfect for half-day bike rentals. Most Tours rental shops offer half-day rates (4 hours) at reduced prices compared to full-day rentals.

• Détours de Loire (35 Rue Charles Gille, Tours): Half-day rental €12 standard bikes, €25 e-bikes. They open at 9am, allowing an early start.
• Loire Vélo Nature (42 Rue de Bordeaux, Tours): Similar pricing. They offer child trailers and tag-along bikes for families.
• Villandry rentals: There are no bike rental shops in Villandry itself, so you must rent in Tours or bring your own bikes.

Timing Your Rental

Most cyclists rent bikes at 9am, cycle to Villandry (arrive around 10:30am), spend 2-3 hours exploring the gardens and having lunch, then cycle back to Tours by 3-4pm. This fits perfectly within standard half-day rental periods and allows you to see Villandry when the gardens are at their morning-lit best.

Return Options

Round Trip (36 km total)

The most common option is cycling back to Tours along the same route. The return journey offers different perspectives — you'll be cycling with the sun at a different angle, and river landscapes always look different in reverse. Allow 3-4 hours total cycling time (both ways) plus time in Villandry.

Alternative Return via North Bank

For variety, you can return via the Loire's north bank through the villages of Luynes and Saint-Étienne-de-Chigny. This adds about 5 km to the return journey but offers different scenery and passes through more wine country. This option requires some navigation skills as it's less clearly signposted than the main Loire à Vélo route.

No Direct Train Option

Unlike the Tours-Amboise route, there's no convenient train return from Villandry. The nearest station is in Savonnières (3 km from Villandry), but trains are infrequent and don't always accept bikes. Plan on cycling both ways or arrange a pickup if needed.

Practical Tips

• Water: Bring 1 liter per person. Drinking fountains in Tours and Villandry, but none along the route. Villandry château has a water fountain near the entrance.
• Food: Pack snacks for the ride. Villandry village has a small bakery and cafe. The château has a restaurant and picnic areas in the gardens (food allowed in designated zones).
• Garden tickets: Villandry charges €12 for gardens only, €19 for château + gardens. Buy tickets online to skip the queue. Bike parking is free.
• Timing: Leave Tours by 9-9:30am to arrive at Villandry by 10:30am when gardens are quietest. Return by 3pm to avoid Tours rush hour.
• Best seasons: The gardens are spectacular year-round, but peak seasons are April-May (tulips and spring planting), June-September (full summer displays), and October (autumn colors in the ornamental garden).
• Photos: The best château views are from the terrace gardens. For the classic aerial view of the vegetable garden's patterns, climb to the highest terrace.

Map and GPX Download

The route is well-signposted from Tours to Villandry, but download the GPX file for offline navigation.

Download GPX File

Combining with Other Routes

Because this route is short, many cyclists combine it with other activities:

• Villandry + Azay-le-Rideau: From Villandry, continue 12 km west to Azay-le-Rideau for a full-day château tour. Total distance from Tours: 30 km one-way.
• Garden tour: Combine Villandry with the Priory gardens in Savonnières (2 km detour) for a double-garden day.
• Wine tour: The return via north bank passes several small wine producers in Luynes offering tastings (appointment recommended).