In bici da Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire a Blois

Roll out from the pretty riverside village of Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire and follow the Loire downstream to Blois. It’s an easy, mostly flat spin of about 16 km, hugging levee paths and farm tracks with big-sky views over the river’s sandbanks and birdlife. Expect mostly traffic-free paths with a few short links on quiet roads; surfaces are a mix of paved sections and some light gravel, so a hybrid or road bike with sturdy tires is perfect.

Saint-Dyé was once the river port for the Château de Chambord and sits within the UNESCO-listed Loire Valley—worth a quick wander before you go. Nearing Blois, you’ll roll in along the quays with the Château de Blois perched above the town and the elegant Pont Jacques-Gabriel spanning the river.

Tips: watch for occasional gravelly patches and wind along the open levee, and bring a camera—sunsets on this stretch can be gorgeous. In Blois, park the bike to explore the château, half-timbered lanes, and the quirky Maison de la Magie.