France Cycling – The Loire Valley
6 days
from Blois to France Louvre
From
$ 3299
Duration6 days
Pedal from Blois to the impressive Chateau de Chambord over a charming 6-day adventure in beautiful Loire Valley. The bustling city streets, quiet back roads, and protected cycling paths of the Loire Valley are ideal for any adventurer seeking to explore the stunning "Garden of France." Centuries ago, French kings and nobility poured into the Loire Valley with the greatest architects of the age, constructing the majestic châteaux, gardens and vineyards that now number among Europe's most beloved treasures. The region's mild climate is ideal for cycling. Its river-laced landscape, dotted with small churches, family farms, historic villages and breathtaking castles provide unbeatable scenery. We ride 25 to 40 miles each day, mostly on quiet back roads that wind through pastoral scenes. Pass traditional communities with fresh flower markets, produce stands and fine chocolate, while sampling the region's exceptional wines and authentic, freshly-prepared French cuisine. Each night is spent in the comfort of a noteworthy small hotel or guesthouse in the company of like-minded adventurers. Our exceptional guides share their firsthand knowledge of the history and geography of the region, ensuring our Loire Valley cycling tour is absolutely unforgettable.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 6 daysService level: Standard
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Starts in: BloisPhysical Grading: Average
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Ends in: France LouvreAges: 18+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Blois and explore its grand château and scenic waterfront.
Start place: Blois
Our trip begins today in Blois, France. After arriving in Paris, transfer independently via train to Blois (two hours) and then by taxi an additional 2 km (5 minutes) to our hotel. We recommend you arrive early to explore beautiful Blois and its grand château, lively shops, and scenic waterfront. Do arrive in Blois no later than 5 p.m. for a bike fitting, followed by a group orientation dinner at a delightful local restaurant, Le Monarque, in the city's historic center just a short walk from our hotel. Dinner included.
Meals: D
Day 2: Visit the superb châteaux of Chambord and Cheverny.
We begin straightaway with some of the Loire's most exceptional riding, a visit to the stunning Châteaux of Chambord and Cheverny, and end in lovely Chitenay. Crossing the Loire River, we follow quiet backroads and bike paths to the awe-inspiring Chambord estate, whose formidable medieval walls and towers surround the Loire's great jewel of French Renaissance architecture. We'll explore the château and enjoy lunch nearby, then return to our bikes and set off through the forest on the estate's picturesque bridal paths leading out to the charming small community of Bracieux. From here, we ride on to the Château of Cheverny. Cheverny's gardens and superbly restored interiors are a must-see on our way to Chiteney, where we stop for the night at a charming small guesthouse. All meals included.
Cycling: 35 miles; Terrain: mostly flat on paved streets and cycling paths with some short sections of dirt/sand trail.
Cycling: 35 miles; Terrain: mostly flat on paved streets and cycling paths with some short sections of dirt/sand trail.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Ride to lovely Amboise, once home to French royalty.
Our day begins with a transfer by van (provided) to Chenonceau, the iconic château built on a bridge that spans the Cher River. Chenonceau is also known as the Château of the Three Ladies, referring to the three women – Katherine Briconnet, Diane de Poitiers (Henri II's mistress) and Catherine de Medici – who lived in the castle between 1513-1589 and greatly contributed to its opulent décor and preservation. From here, we return to the back roads and protected bike paths leading north through vineyard, field and forest to charming city of Amboise, where some of the most important French royalty lived and where the last home of Leonardo da Vinci, the Château du Clos Lucé, is located. We'll visit Clos Luce and enjoy lunch in Amboise. Leaving there in the afternoon, we ride along the Loire River through the vineyards at Montlouis then continue on to Tours and our next charming hotel. We'll enjoy drinks and dinner in the charming town center and retire here for the evening. Breakfast, dinner included.
Cycling: 27 miles; Terrain: rolling with some hills on country roads, paved streets and cycling paths. Optional cycling: hill climbs for guests wishing to end this day with a challenge.
Cycling: 27 miles; Terrain: rolling with some hills on country roads, paved streets and cycling paths. Optional cycling: hill climbs for guests wishing to end this day with a challenge.
Meals: D
Day 4: Visit a château, Villandry, and marvel at medieval Langeais.
Today we'll depart Tours on our bikes and ride the city streets to rejoin the back roads and cycling paths leading from Tours west along the Loire River, making several interesting stops en route to Azay-le-Rideau. We begin with a very special visit to the last of the great renaissance Châteaux, Villandry, whose fame is undoubtedly owed to the layers of immaculate terraced gardens surrounding it. From Villandry, we ride on to Langeais as we marvel at architectural reminders of the hazardous Middle Ages, when medieval fortresses were designed to be impregnable! From there, we follow our route through the valley of the River Indre to end the day's ride at Azay-le-Rideau, with a tour of its romantic château. Located on an island where it appears to float in the Indre River, the château houses a remarkable collection of Renaissance portraits and tapestries. All meals included.
Cycling: 24 miles; Terrain: Mostly flat with rolling hills, on paved streets, some sections of cobblestone, cycling paths and country roads.
Cycling: 24 miles; Terrain: Mostly flat with rolling hills, on paved streets, some sections of cobblestone, cycling paths and country roads.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Ride to Château d'Usse and taste wine at the vineyards of Champigny.
Our final big day of riding begins as we head west to rejoin the Loire River and Rigny-Ussé where the shining Château d'Usse still stands long after inspiring Perrault to pen the fairy tale "La Belle au Bois Dormant" (Sleeping Beauty) in 1696. We continue riding towards the confluence between the River la Vienne and Loire River to one of the most beautiful tiny villages of the Loire valley, Candes-Saint-Martin, where you can visit the magnificent 12th and 13th century collegiate church. Proceeding to the village of Montsoreau dominated by its château overlooking the Loire river, we ride on along troglodyte sites to the vineyards at Champigny for a late afternoon wine-tasting. Finally, we arrive in Saumur at the end of our tour. Enjoy a farewell dinner and a final night in the French countryside before turning in for the night. All meals included.
Cycling: 39 miles; Terrain: rolling hills with some climbs on paved streets, paved and dirt cycling paths.
Cycling: 39 miles; Terrain: rolling hills with some climbs on paved streets, paved and dirt cycling paths.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Our cycling adventure in the "Garden of France" ends.
After breakfast, transfer independently from our hotel in Saumur to the local train station for a rail connection back to Paris and homeward bound flights. Our hotel can assist with taxi service. Breakfast included.
End place: France Louvre
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Double-occupancy accommodations and meals as noted in the itinerary
- hybrid touring bicycles
- bi-lingual cycling guide
- support staff
- most chateau and vineyard entrance fees
- cue sheets/maps
- vehicle support (note that there are times when the vehicle may be unavailable)
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Accommodation
Small hotels, 5 nights