Top 5 best bicycle rentals in Tours

Tours puts the whole Loire Valley within pedalling distance, and once you're on two wheels the region stops being a list of postcards and starts feeling like a place you actually know. Ride the riverside path out toward Château de Villandry and its geometric Renaissance gardens, or cross the Indre valley to the moated Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, and you'll pass more sunflower fields and stone villages than tour buses ever stop for. Come back into town and Place Plumereau, ringed with half-timbered houses, is exactly where you want to lock up the bike and find a table.

The whole appeal here is topography: Tours and the valley around it are close to flat, and the Loire à Vélo route (part of EuroVelo 6) runs right through the city on largely car-free paths. That combination means you can reach several châteaux in a single day without fighting hills or traffic, something a car struggles with once you factor in one-way château loops and scarce parking. Central Tours itself is compact enough to cross in minutes, so a bike works equally well for a quick loop to the cathedral or a full day out to the countryside.

Top 10 things to see in Tours by bike

1. La Loire à Vélo (EuroVelo 6) — the signature riverside route through Tours, flat and largely car-free for long stretches.
2. Château de Villandry — famous Renaissance gardens about 15 km west along quiet valley roads, a classic half-day ride.
3. Château d'Azay-le-Rideau — a moated Renaissance château roughly 25 km southwest via the Indre valley cycle paths.
4. Château de Langeais — a medieval fortress-château about 24 km west, an easy flat ride along the Loire.
5. Château d'Amboise — a royal château and Leonardo da Vinci's Clos Lucé, around 25 km east along the Loire à Vélo route.
6. Château de Chenonceau — the famous château spanning the Cher river, a longer but very popular full-day ride of about 34 km.
7. Vieux Tours / Place Plumereau — the half-timbered old town centre, a natural start or finish point and café stop.
8. Basilique Saint-Martin de Tours — a major pilgrimage church right in the city centre, an easy detour from most rental points.
9. Cathédrale Saint-Gatien de Tours — a Gothic cathedral worth combining with a loop through the old town.
10. Île Simon — a riverside park and guinguette area on the Loire, ideal for a picnic or a drink by the water.

What do you need to rent a bike in Tours?

No licence is required to rent a bicycle in France. Rental companies normally ask the person signing the contract to be an adult, 18 or over, though children can ride equipment booked under a parent's contract. By law, a helmet is compulsory only for riders and passengers under 12. Expect a deposit, usually held by card pre-authorisation and released on undamaged return — the amount varies by operator, so confirm it when you book. No international driving permit is needed for a bicycle.

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

A basic city bike runs EUR 3–8 per day in low season and EUR 12–20 per day in high season, while an electric-assist or higher-end touring bike costs EUR 20–35 per day.

• Prices climb in July and August, the peak of the Loire Valley tourist season.
• They drop from November to February, when the weather is colder and wetter.

When to book a rental bike in Tours?

High season runs June through August, with late July and August the busiest and priciest stretch, plus smaller peaks around Easter and the May public holidays. Low season runs November to March, when rates fall but the weather is less inviting for long rides. May, June and September tend to offer the best balance: settled weather, long daylight and noticeably lower prices than midsummer — worth booking a little ahead if you want to rent a bike in Tours during that window.

Local traffic rules in Tours

France drives on the right, and cyclists follow the same rule on the road and on marked cycle paths. Helmets are only legally required for riders and passengers under 12, though wearing one is always sensible. Outside built-up areas at night or in poor visibility, cyclists must wear a reflective vest. Speed limits in town are 50 km/h for vehicle traffic, and while these don't apply to bicycles directly, they're a useful guide to how busy a street will be. The blood-alcohol limit for road users generally is 0.5 g/l, dropping to 0.2 g/l for drivers in their first three years of licence — a good reminder to keep it light if you're cycling back from a château tasting.

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

Types of bikes available

On our website you can rent the following types of bicycles: classic bikes, tandems, road bikes, carbon, cyclocross, touring, trekking, hybrid, mountain bikes (MTB), cruisers, comfort, city, commuter, urban, Dutch bikes, lady, bike for kids, folding, tricycles with three wheels, bikes with basket, with gears, with suspension, with rear rack, fat-tire bikes, electric bicycles.

Models of bicycles available

On our website you can hire a bike of the following manufacturers: Avanti, Batavus, Bianchi, Trek, Cannondale, Cube, Diamant, Felt, Scott, Gazelle, Genesis, Giant, GT Bicycles, Ideal, K2, Diamondback, Schwinn, Jamis, Raleigh, Kona, Kross, Merida, Mongoose, Next, Orbea, Órbita, Murray, Roadmaster, Rocky, Miele, Rover, Shimano, Vélo, Specialized.

Which insurance is provided with my rental bicycle?

Bicycle rentals typically come with basic cover for third-party damage, but theft and damage terms vary from one provider to another. Some include simple loss or damage protection in the price, while others cover it through your deposit; always check the exact terms on the booking page before you confirm.

Extra services available

When you make a reservation of a bicycle you also can order the following extra services and equipment: helmet, GPS navigation, clip pedals, side cases, rear rack, basket, light, gloves, speedometer, individual guide or tour, full insurance, one-way rental, or delivery to the address of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Find the best deals for bicycle hire in the city;
• Compare prices of bicycle rental companies;
• Read reviews of previous customers;
• Reserve a bicycle online with the Best Price Guarantee!

Most of our local bicycle rentals have many years of experience and will provide you with a well-kept bike, lock, basket and friendly service. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a bicycle, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!