Pedal along wooded back roads and small villages Ride past vineyards and villages to the stunning 17th-century Château de Cheverny, considered by many to be the region’s most refined castle, with a dramatic façade and sweeping lawns.

A classic mid-19th-century nobleman’s house surrounded by wooded parkland.

Pedal to Château de Chaumont, an architectural marvel whose edifice spans periods from late French Gothic to French Renaissance Renowned for its International Garden Festival, the castle’s grounds are always a fragrant feast for the senses Kids join a Backroads leader for an afternoon at a local fun park

Set in a private park, this 17th-century château features a heated swimming pool.

Join a local guide for a private tour of Château de Chenonceau, where richly woven tapestries, paintings by the Old Masters and lavish gardens hint at this landmark’s opulent past Continue to Azay le Rideau, a lively town on the banks of the Loire River Pedal through the Chinon Forest to Château Ussé, a 15th-century castle believed to have inspired Charles Perrault’s famous story, Château de la Belle au bois Dormant (“Sleeping Beauty”) Explore Château de Chinon, where Joan of Arc first met Charles VII in 1429 At Château de Villandry, stroll through some of the most exquisite gardens in France.

You won’t soon forget the authentic charm of this 19th century mansion, with its white tuffeau stone walls and traditional oak beams.