My son and I are going to be in the Loire for only 2 full days. We are staying in Amboise but want to see Cheverny (and if time permits, Chambord) and Chenonceau. We have rented a car for the first day to cover Chambord and Cheverny. I am hoping that we can bike to Chenonceau, have a hot air balloon ride and return by bike? Is this do-able? (We are both bikers, so the distance is not a problem)
Posted by
Chattanooga, TN USA
569 posts
Keep in mind the balloon rides only go at dawn or dusk. When we went in May the dawn rides started at 6 am and the dusk rides at 6 pm, both lasted about 3.5 hours (including inflating and deflating time). Starting times vary based on time of year.
Posted by
3122 posts
Two days is enough for the three if you use your car. Bicycling does seem to be very popular around Amboise, and if you are experienced distance bikers then the trip to Chenonceau is probably doable.
However, as noted by the earlier comment, the hot-air balloon ride could take a lot of time (it is very dependent on weather conditions) and could leave you riding home in the dark. Have you compared the chateau opening times with the balloon ride scheduled departures/returns?
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
I had a bike in Loire. The last day biking I rode from Amboise to Chenonceau and back, then to Clos Luce, turned my bike in and went to the Chateau in Amboise. As I recall, it's a little under 25 km each way. Take the bike route like you're going to Tours, just on the edge of town, there's a sign to the bike route that takes you to Chenonceau. There's a pretty good hill climbing out of Amboise but afterward it's only gradual hills (some are a couple km all down/uphill) and a lot that's flat. It was even steeper to Clos Luce, but not very far.
I started early, aiming to be there near opening, took my time at Chenonceau and stopped for quick lunch in a town near there on the way back. I was back in Amboise by early afternoon (still time for two more chateaux), so I think you'd have at least a couple hours for a balloon ride.
Posted by
Tacoma, WA, USA
519 posts
If your other plans do not work out we had a great afternoon canoeing on the Cher River. We went under Chenonceaux. Canoe Company. Be sure and call ahead for reservations. There is a lady there who speaks English and is very helpful. I found it in RS France. http://www.canoe-company.fr/
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thanks to all for your help! We have just returned from our trip and were able to take the train to Blois where we rented bikes and biked to Cheverny, as we wanted to get there for the feeding of the hounds at 1130. Had lunch in a near by cute cafe before biking back to Blois, leaving our bikes there and catching the train to Amboise where we spent two nights. We visited Clos de Luce the following morning and then joined a small tour to see Chambord and finally Chenanceau, where we finished with a hot air balloon ride. Great trip! Thanks again for recommendations!
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Thanks for posting your follow up - always helpful to others!