Only 1 hour south of Paris lies a region that since the Renaissance has been a favorite of kings and the aristocracy; the Loire River valley is dotted with fine chateaux, vineyards, and some of the most beautiful (and gentle) cycling routes in France. This tour visits the most magnificent chateaux, the extraordinary gardens of Villandry, but also leaves time to explore the subtler aspects of a region that has much to offer.
Location
Tours
Tours, France
Starting Location
Amboise
Amboise, France
Day 2+3
Veigne
Veigné, France
Day 4+5
Azay-le-Rideau
Azay-le-Rideau, France
Day 6
Chinon
Chinon, France
Day 7+8
What’s Included in the Cost of Your Trip?
INCLUDED IN REGULAR TRIP
8 nights lodging
All breakfasts and 1 dinner
Luggage transfers
Comprehensive Tour Details with detailed pre-trip information
Detailed route instructions and maps
Personal meet & greet with our local Area Manager
Area manager available on call throughout the tour
Access to Loyalty Program and other exclusive benefits
We require that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene reasons
Particulars
EVENT DATES
Start any date between May 1 and October 31
We recommend you to start your tour on a Wednesday to see the market held in Amboise every Friday. For Casual/B&B and Classic accommodation level, this tour cannot start on Saturdays or Sundays.
We recommend you to start your tour on a Wednesday to see the market held in Amboise every Friday. For Casual/B&B and Classic accommodation level, this tour cannot start on Saturdays or Sundays.
Custom trips also available and can start any date. Call or email for details.
TOTAL DAYS
9 days / 8 nights with 7 days of cycling
ARRIVE / DEPART
Tours / Chinon
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Moderate: 30-55 km daily (20-40 miles)
TERRAIN
3 days are mostly flat, 2 days are moderately rolling
COST
Casual Accommodation: US $2,470
Single Supplement: US $620
Classic Accommodation: US $3,025
Single Supplement: US $760
Luxe Accommodation: US $3,525
Single Supplement: US $880
Bike Rentals
Hybrid or Racing Bikes: US$370
E-Bikes: US$640
E-bikes are generally available but are on an ‘on request basis ‘ and will be confirmed on receipt of your booking registration. E-bikes provided are the best rentals available in the region. Our regular fleet of hybrid and race bikes are fun to ride and light and fast, but if having an e-bike will make your trip, we’ll do our best to provide. E-bike rentals are non-refundable.
Please note: Final itinerary is subject to revision; any changes made are done so in an attempt to provide the best possible trip given route conditions and available services. Due to the nature of our business and exchange rates, prices are subject to change. All prices quoted are U.S. dollars but we gladly accept payment in Canadian dollars also. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Getting There
For those arriving via Paris, most international flights arrive at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport.
The easiest way to reach Tours is via a train from the Montparnasse station (trains take a little more than 1 hour).
The easiest way to reach the hotel in Tours is by taxi and these can be found on arrival outside the train station.
1
Day 1
Arrive in Tours. Take some time to wander in the old town center, filled with 18th-century monuments, public gardens, and cafés…
2
Day 2
Amboise
Our area manager will meet you after breakfast and give you the bikes and a briefing for the tour. Starting from Tours, you’ll ride east along a quiet road winding through vineyards to Amboise, with its impressive castle and charming village. Leonardo da Vinci lived here and you have the opportunity to visit the museum in his former home.
Ride Distance: 33 km.*
3
Day 3
Amboise
You’ll cycle forested roads to Chenanceaux where you can enjoy a visit of one of the most magnificent chateau in France. Finish the day with wine tasting or alternatively, a visit to a chocolate maker with a tempting degustation selection.
Ride Distance: 35 km.*
4
Day 4
Veigne/Montbazon
The ride is quite beautiful with a morning stop at another chateau, this one owned by the Prince of Broglie. Chateau de la Bourdaisiere was built by Francois I for Marie Gaudin, one of his mistresses. Today, the chateau raison d’etre are tomato gardens and over 500 varieties can be found here. A tour of the rooms and property will reveal secrets of its colorful past. In Veigne you will stay at a former mill that has been turned into a charming hotel, with a restaurant that is outstanding. A century option on this day will offer a chance to ride to the gardens of Villandry.
Ride Distance: 42 to 100+km.*
5
Day 5
Veigne/Montbazon
Ride to the castle and gardens of Villandry, a Renaissance masterpiece that welcomes visitors. Purchased by Spanish doctor Joachim Carvallo and his American heiress in 1906, they re-created the chateau’s original gardens. It is still in the Carvallo family today.
6
Day 6
Azay le Rideau
Ride to Azay-le-Rideau, it is here where perhaps the most beautiful of all Loire Valley chateaux sits majestically on a tiny island in the middle of the Indre River.
7
Day 7
Chinon
Following one of the tributaries of the Loire, you’ll enjoy some of the best riding in the region, stopping to visit Chateau de Sache, where the writer Balzac resided. In Azay-le-Rideau you’ll visit the impressive chateau that is the ‘jewel of the Loire Valley’.
Ride Distance: 52 km.*
8
Day 8
Chinon
On your last day of cycling there are options to cycle past popular vineyards with wine tastings along quiet cycling roads; you can also choose a longer option to Richelieu. Back in Chinon, enjoy a tour of the Chateau du Milieu in the medieval town.
Ride Distance: 40 km.*
9
Day 9
Departure at your leisure from Chinon Train Station.
*Distance and elevation gains may vary depending on hotels chosen for specific departure.
Casual/B&B
Hotel Ronsard, Tours
This hotel is a charming, small hotel in the historical center of Tours. Rooms have all been renovated with contemporary décor and AC.
La Breche, Amboise
This warm and welcoming small hotel is a member of the Logis de France association. There is a familial atmosphere here and the building is historic. Welcoming to cyclists and a good restaurant on site.
Logis Lièvre d'Or, Montbazon
Simple rooms in a cozy B&B with an outdoor pool & a terrace, plus lush gardens.
Hotel Biencourt, Azay le Rideau
This charming hotel from the 16th century is just steps from the castle in the centre of historic Azay le Rideau. It is a modest, but utterly charming property with a friendly welcome.
Hotel Agnes Sorel, Chinon
This small, pleasant hotel is located in the center of Chinon and has just 10 rooms. The owner, Christine is very welcoming.
Classic
Maison Jules, Tours
This charming property is more chambre d’hote than hotel. This quiet hotel is our favourite in Tours; the rooms are very large, the lounges are wonderful. The owner, Alexandra, is a bon vivant and a wonderful host. Breakfast is superb!
Le Clos d'Amboise, Amboise
This 16th century manor house is in a large landscaped park with a pool, enclosed by ancient stone walls in the heart of the old town. The spacious rooms have original wood flooring, fireplaces and ancient paneling.
Logis Lièvre d'Or, Montbazon
Simple rooms in a cozy B&B with an outdoor pool & a terrace, plus lush gardens.
Hotel Biencourt, Azay le Rideau
This charming hotel from the 16th century is just steps from the castle in the centre of historic Azay le Rideau. It is a modest, but utterly charming property with a friendly welcome.
Hotel Diderot, Chinon
This charming hotel, built in the 15th century and located in the historical center of Chinon is distinctive with friendly owners. Recommended by Guide de Charme and the top-rated Chinon hotel of Trip Advisor.
Luxe
Maison Jules, Tours
This charming property is more chambre d’hote than hotel. This quiet hotel is our favourite in Tours; the rooms are very large, the lounges are wonderful. The owner, Alexandra, is a bon vivant and a wonderful host. Breakfast was superb!
Manoir des Minimes, Amboise
This authentic 18th century manor house was built on the foundation of an ancient medieval monastery with glorious views of the Château Royale d'Amboise and the Loire river. The spacious rooms are quite luxurious.
Domaine de la Tortiniere, Montbazon
This peaceful 19th century castle is in a fifteen acre park, overlooking the Indre River. The rooms in the Château and adjoining buildings are all decorated with rich fabrics and antique furniture. Member Relais du Silence.
Le Grand Monarque, Azay le Rideau
Located 150 metres from the irresistible charm of the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau, this former 18th century coaching inn and its Directoire building have been turned into a charming hotel. The rooms still feature their exposed beams and tuffeau stone walls.
Chateau de Marcay, Chinon
In their own words the Château de Marçay is “an island of calm and serenity”. The extensive grounds of the magnificent building offer an outdoor pool, serene gardens and meandering shaded paths perfect for an after-dinner stroll.
Trip Reviews
“This tour was pretty easy and beautiful. The routes Randonnée chooses are great – small quiet back roads. The self-guided tours are great, this was my second one. Amboise and Azay Le Rideau hotels were outstanding.”
This was the perfect tour for our family. The kids loved the castles, and we felt safe on the roads you chose, especially enjoyed the cycling paths along the Loire River. I think the kids favorite moment was the chocolate tasting you suggested in Amboise. Tony I LOVED Domaine Tortiniere- thank you for suggesting the upgrade.
The scenery on the back roads was wonderful. We were pleased that the luggage was always at the next destination with no issues.
The info package sent prior to the trip with the water bottle was complete, as was the pre-trip information sent by email. Very helpful in planning and packing for the trip. Great job! We used many of the restaurants you suggested. And the routes were a nice mixture of backroads, cycle paths, etc. Very scenic and enjoyable.
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