Did you know that pilgrimage cycling existed? The Saint-Jacques cycle route allows you to complete part of the famous Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage on two wheels – 278 kilometres (173 mi) between Rambouillet and Tours, in the beautiful Loire Valley. Some parts of the signposted route share the same track as the Véloscénie and the Vallée du Loir by bike.

The route takes you on a journey deep into the history of France, past castles and monuments. On the first day you’ll ride past the Château de Rambouillet and its immense estate, and just a few kilometres further on you’ll see the castle and imposing unfinished aqueduct in the town of Maintenon.

You'll be following the course of the Loir river for much of the route. There are plenty of opportunities to take a waterside break, or visit exceptional places. The fortified town Bonneval is surrounded by defensive ditches through which the Loir flows, and is astonishingly beautiful.

The V41 also takes you to Lavardin. This ancient fortified town is full of charm, with its medieval castle, troglodyte dwellings (houses carved into rock faces) and Renaissance villas.

One of the highlights of the Collection is your visit to Chartres, where the cathedral has historically welcomed pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. It is a major masterpiece of the 11th and 12th centuries, and served as a model for the Gothic art developed at that time. It’s also a mecca for Christian spirituality, and brings in followers from afar. The monument is listed as a World Heritage Site, and can be appreciated in a thousand different ways.

I've divided the Collection into eight stages, each between 21 and 54 kilometres (13 to 34 mi) long, which gives you plenty of time to appreciate the wonders along the way. The itinerary is therefore suitable for beginner cyclists who want to experience their first touring holiday. You'll find numerous places to eat and refuel in the major towns along the route. And, at the end of each stage, there are lots of places to stay overnight.

The route follows river valleys, with very little altitude gain. I advise enjoying it between spring and autumn. Make sure you hydrate regularly and protect yourself from the sun. The route is still perfectly cycleable in winter, however, in which case be sure to cover up and bear in mind that many campsites close during this period. The itinerary takes in a wide variety of ground types, including roads and sometimes flat stones, through a mix of secondary roads and cycle paths. I therefore recommend choosing a mountain bike or gravel bike that can carry your panniers and ride on a variety of surfaces.

To get to the starting point in Rambouillet, you can use the train line that links the town to Paris, Le Mans or Chartres. When you arrive in Tours, you can hop on one of the many trains that serve the rest of France, either from Tours station or from Saint-Pierre-des-Corps station on the outskirts.
All that's left for you to do is pack your saddlebags and set off to discover the history of France.

Have a pleasant journey!