Top 5 best motorcycle rentals in Tours

Tours puts the whole Loire Valley within easy reach of your throttle hand. Ride out along the river in the morning and by lunch you can be standing under the arches of Château de Chenonceau as it spans the Cher, or leaning your bike against a wall in Amboise with the royal château rising over the rooftops. This is one of those places where the ride between the sights is half the reason to come — quiet D-roads, sunflower fields in summer, stone villages that barely register a passing car.

Tours works so well for motorcycles because the region's biggest draw — the château circuit — is scattered across distances that punish walking and outpace a bicycle day trip. Chambord alone is 55km northeast; Chenonceau, Amboise and Villandry are each a manageable loop away on flat, gently curving roads that follow the Loire, Cher, Indre and Vienne. A motorcycle also slips through the compact medieval streets of Tours' old town with none of the parking hassle a car brings, so you get city and countryside from the same set of keys.

Top 10 things to see in Tours by motorcycle

1. Château de Chenonceau — the iconic château arching over the Cher river, about 35km east on a classic Loire Valley ride.
2. Château de Chambord — the grandest of the Loire châteaux, 55km northeast, worth the longer run on highway or backroads.
3. Château d'Amboise — a hilltop royal château overlooking the Loire, 25km east along scenic riverside roads.
4. Le Clos Lucé — Leonardo da Vinci's last home, right beside Amboise's château and an easy add-on stop.
5. Château de Villandry — famous Renaissance gardens 18km west, a short and popular first ride out of Tours.
6. Château d'Azay-le-Rideau — a moated Renaissance château on the Indre, 25km southwest via quiet country roads.
7. Forteresse Royale de Chinon — a medieval fortress above the Vienne river, 45km southwest, good for a half-day loop.
8. La Loire à Vélo — the signed river route along dikes and villages; riders take the parallel D-roads for the same scenery.
9. Vignoble de Vouvray — hillside vineyards and troglodyte wine cellars just east of Tours, an easy scenic loop.
10. Basilique Saint-Martin de Tours — the major pilgrimage basilica in the old town, a natural point to start or end your rides.

What do you need to rent a motorcycle in Tours?

For a 125cc scooter you'll need an A1 motorcycle licence, or a category B car licence held for at least two years plus a short mandatory training course. Larger machines fall under category A1 (from 16, up to 125cc) or A2 for restricted-power bikes from age 18; most rental agencies in Tours set their own minimum age, often 21 or higher for bigger models. Non-EU visitors should bring an International Driving Permit alongside their home licence. Expect to leave a deposit, usually held as a card pre-authorisation and refunded on undamaged return — confirm the exact amount and insurance excess with your chosen rental company before booking.

How much does it cost to rent a motorcycle in Tours?

Prices move a lot with the season. A scooter or small-displacement motorcycle runs EUR 25–30 per day in low season, rising to EUR 45–60 per day in high season; a larger touring or sport motorcycle (600cc and up) costs EUR 70–100 per day.

• Cheapest: November to February.
• Dearest: July and August, when demand peaks across the Loire Valley.
• Spring and early autumn sit somewhere between the two, so booking a few weeks ahead pays off.

When to book a rental motorcycle in Tours?

High season runs June through August, with the sharpest crush in late July and all of August as France itself goes on holiday — book early if you're set on a specific model. Low season stretches from November to March, when prices drop and some smaller outlets trim their hours. For the best mix of weather and rates, aim for May, June or September: warm, settled days, long light, and noticeably lighter traffic on the château roads than in midsummer.

Local traffic rules in Tours

France drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for riders and passengers on any motorised two-wheeler, and CE-approved gloves are a legal requirement too — France enforces this one, with fines for riders caught without. Keep your headlight on at all times, day or night. Speed limits are 50 km/h in town, 80 km/h on rural two-way roads without a central barrier (watch for local signs raising this to 90 km/h), and 110–130 km/h on faster roads depending on conditions. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l, dropping to effectively zero for riders still in their first three years of licence.

Most of our motorcycle rentals in Tours come from operators with years of local experience, handing over a well-maintained bike, helmet, insurance and genuinely friendly service. If you want to rent a motorcycle in Tours, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!

Types of motorcycles available

On our website you can rent the following types of motorcycles: cruiser, sport, touring, standard, classic, dual-purpose, dirt bikes, street, naked bikes or roadsters, choppers, custom, streetfighter, sport-touring, dual-sport, on-road, off-road, adventure motorcycles, supermoto, scrambler, motorcycle with sidecar, enduro, motocross mx, trail, motards, tricycles, bikes with automatic or manual gears, luxury motorbikes.

Models of motorcycles available

On our website you can hire motorcycles from the following manufacturers: BMW, Harley Davidson, Aprilia, Buell, Cagiva, Ducati, Gilera, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, Husqvarna, Jawa, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, Triumph, Benelli, Bajaj, Indian, Royal Enfield, TVS, Beta, Bimota.

Which insurance is provided?

Most providers include basic third-party liability insurance in the rental price, with options to upgrade to fuller coverage that reduces or removes your deposit liability in case of damage or theft. Always confirm exactly what is and isn’t covered before you set off.

Extra services available

When you make an online motorbike reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, or delivery to your chosen address.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Compare prices from multiple local rental companies in one place;
• Read reviews from previous customers;
• Reserve online with a Best Price Guarantee;
• Friendly support if your plans change.

Most of our motorcycle rental providers have years of experience and will equip you with a well-maintained bike, helmet and insurance for the ride ahead. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a motorcycle locally, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!