This stage crosses one of the most heritage-rich stretches of the entire route. Chaumont-sur-Loire, whose château overlooks the river from a wooded promontory, hosts a renowned international garden festival every summer that’s worth a stop, even a quick one.
Amboise, a little further on, is a highlight of the day: the royal château dominates the town, and the Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci’s final home, can be visited in about an hour for history buffs.
Arriving in Tours, a large university town at the heart of the Val de Loire, offers a wide choice of accommodation and direct access to the TGV station, a good handover point for those only riding part of the route.
Indicative distance for this stretch.