Loir-et-Cher: Between the Loire, Sologne and cycling routes

Loir-et-Cher is promoted as a destination for historic heritage, activities, unspoilt nature and regional specialities. Its attractions range from the Loire river landscape to the forests and ponds of the Sologne. Signposted cycling routes, châteaux, a zoo and local produce offer a variety of ideas for planning your stay.

The Loire, Sologne and cycling routes

The Loire in Loir-et-Cher is part of a river landscape that has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. The Sologne is characterised by forests and 3,000 ponds. Both landscapes are defining themes of the region: the river valley on one hand, and the forest- and pond-rich Sologne on the other. If you are interested in nature and outdoor activities, the département has more than 1,200 kilometres of signposted cycle-tourism routes.

For the Châteaux de la Loire à Vélo, Loir-et-Cher has 15 signposted circular routes, covering more than 500 kilometres in total. Sologne à Vélo offers 140 kilometres of signposted routes. These different figures provide an initial guide to the named route networks. Check the current route details before setting off, as routes and distance information may change.

Along Sologne à Vélo, you’ll find forests, ponds, half-timbered houses and clearings inhabited by wildlife. The route can also be reached from Lamotte-Beuvron station; check the latest information about train connections and where to join the route before planning your ride. This lets you take both the distance and the landscape features that interest you most into account when choosing your outings.

Châteaux, history and nature experiences

Chambord and Blois are among the monuments of the Loire Valley that UNESCO lists as examples of medieval and Renaissance history. At Chambord, more than 30 kilometres of paths run through the park. Check access and path information before your visit. At the Château royal de Blois, the HistoPad visit brings together the château’s history, architecture and court life. The visit also includes the royal apartments and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire also has a direct historical connection to Chambord: the town’s former river port transported building materials for the château’s construction. If you’d like to explore the town, the Maison de la Loire can put together tailor-made programmes on request. These combine a guided village tour, a guided nature activity and a traditional boat trip. The programmes are available on request.

Another excursion focuses on animals: ZooParc de Beauval is home to 35,000 animals from 800 species across 46 hectares. This gives you the option of including a zoo-focused visit alongside châteaux and landscapes. Château de Cheverny adds six themed gardens to the selection. Check the gardens’ opening arrangements before your visit.

Wine and regional specialities

Cheverny is a dry still wine produced south of Blois in Loir-et-Cher. The wine-growing area lies close to the Sologne, the Loire and the châteaux of Chambord and Cheverny. The wine thus offers a taste of the region that connects several of the landscape and cultural themes that shape a stay in Loir-et-Cher.

The region’s cuisine includes Loire wines, goat’s cheese, seasonal produce and local know-how. AOP Selles-sur-Cher is known for its creamy, delicate character. These products offer another way to experience the region beyond cycling routes and sights. Together with the historic sites, gardens and varied landscapes, they can help you decide what to focus on during your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Santenay, Montrieux-En-Sologne, Orchaise, Bourre, Cellé, Salbris, Neung-Sur-Beuvron, Saint-Aignan, Landes-le-Gaulois, Saint-Bohaire, Châteauvieux, Mur-De-Sologne, Millançay, Saint-Avit, Nouan-Le-Fuzelier, Romorantin-Lanthenay, La Marolle-En-Sologne, Couture-Sur-Loir, Courmemin, Muides-Sur-Loire, Saint-Romain-Sur-Cher, Candé-Sur-Beuvron, Maray, Mondoubleau, Vouzon, Theillay, Troo, Chouzy-Sur-Cisse, Chaumont-Sur-Tharonne, Bracieux, Couddes, Thésée, La Ville-Aux-Clercs, Chitenay, La Ferté-Imbault, Saint-Denis-Sur-Loire, Saint-Georges-Sur-Cher, Cour-Sur-Loire, Villebarou, La Colombe, Cour-Cheverny, Les Hayes, Sassay, Soings-En-Sologne, Souvigny-En-Sologne, Veilleins, Meusnes, Oucques, Choussy, Villavard, Mareuil-sur-Cher, Concriers, Lavardin, Seur, Molineuf, Renay, Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire, Fortan, Briou, Talcy, Saint-Rimay, Droué, Beauchêne, Monthou-sur-Bièvre, Villeny, Châtres-Sur-Cher, Lorges, Saint-Amand-Longpré, Chailles, Prunay-Cassereau, Mennetou-sur-Cher, Thenay, Seigy, Fossé, La Ferté-Beauharnais, Saint-Lubin-en-Vergonnois, Lassay-sur-Croisne, Faverolles-sur-Cher, Veuves, Souesmes, Pierrefitte-Sur-Sauldre, Villeherviers, Josnes, Montoire-Sur-Le-Loir, Saint-Léonard-En-Beauce, Couffy, Sambin, Feings, Huisseau-Sur-Cosson, Saint-Laurent-Nouan, Villerable, Maves, Méhers, Mont-Près-Chambord, Montrichard, Ouchamps, Pontlevoy, Chissay-En-Touraine, Montlivault, Selles Saint Denis, Saint-Gourgon, Sasnières, Saint-Viâtre, Valaire, Fougères-Sur-Bièvre, Vineuil, Vendôme, Angé, Blois, Cheverny, Gièvres, La Fontenelle, Seillac, Sainte-Anne, Avaray, Saint-Julien-De-Chédon, Lamotte-Beuvron, Selles-Sur-Cher, Chémery, Contres, Noyers-Sur-Cher, Saint-Claude-De-Diray, Maslives, Chaon, Chambord, Yvoy-Le-Marron, Cormeray, Monthou-Sur-Cher, Montrouveau, Tour-En-Sologne, Vallières-Les-Grandes, Crouy-Sur-Cosson, Vernou-en-Sologne, Saint-Gervais-La-Forêt, Champigny-En-Beauce, Averdon, Monteaux, Suèvres, La Ferté-Saint-Cyr, Chaumont-Sur-Loire, Mer, Cellettes, Onzain, Mesland, Vievy-Le-Rayé, Pouillé, Chambon-Sur-Cisse, Oisly, Authon, Thoury, La Chaussée-Saint-Victor, Dhuizon, Séris, Lignières, Saint-Ouen, Lunay, Villexanton, Mulsans

To the broader travel overview: Centre.