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Castels of the Loire valley

Cycling in the magical Loire Valley

La Route Royale

The Loire Valley – the epitome of the romance of France. Its rural charm is equally as impressive as the cultural wealth of its cities. But above all it is the castles which make the Loire valley world famous. Kings, feudal lords and ladies of court, all seduced by the charm of the Loire valley, had several hundred castles, manor houses, and fairy-tale residences built here in the “Garden of France”. Villandry, Langeais, Usse, Chinon, Saumur, Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceaux, Chaumont, Blois, Chambord, to name but a few. The mood of the river can change from one extreme to the other in the space of a single day. What the French call “grisaille”, a foggy, gloomy melancholy atmosphere (although the French term sounds poetic), can give way to a magnificent sunset, bathing the countryside in pastel colours! What could be nicer than exploring this fascinating region of France by bike?

France
Easy to moderate
  • 8 Days / 7 Nights
  • Self-guided tour
Meike Engling
Meike Engling
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Itinerary

Arrival in Tours, in the historical centre of Touraine, the famous „Garden of France“. In the afternoon you will receive detailed tour information (in German and English) and also your bikes (should you have rented one in advance).

The river Cher takes you on your way to Castle Villandry with its terraced gardens. Don’t miss the chance to visit the famous gardens! The shady paths, arbours decorated with flowers, fountains and the artistically arranged vegetable garden will impress even the most critical visitor. A few kilometres further on your route takes you from the banks of the Cher for to the banks of the Loire, where the next castle, Castle Langeais, awaits you. The fortified tower [this castle was used exclusively for military purposes] has a commanding view of the river and the surrounding countryside. At the edge of the dark, mysterious forest of Chinon lies Castle Ussé - „The Sleeping-Beauty-Castle“. Your journey continues along small villages and along side roads to Chinon.

Cycling along the river Vienne you reach the village of Candes-Saint-Martin. At the spot where Saint Martin died a splendid Romanesque church was erected. In Montsoreau the Vienne joins the mighty Loire – an impressive natural spectacle! Your journey continues through well-tended vineyards to Fontevraud l‘Abbaye. Nowhere else in the world will you encounter such an extensive, well-preserved medieval monastery as in Fontevraud. The return journey to Chinon takes you along literary paths. On the way you pass the birthplace of the famous author Francois Rabelais, as well as cycling through the valley which was the setting for his famous work, “Gargantua”.

You leave Chinon with its medieval alleys, and continue northwards. The route takes you through ancient vineyards and isolated villages to Crissay, which, with its 15th-century-houses, is one of the most beautiful villages in France. Today’s route also includes a castle, one of the finest. Azay–le-Rideau – the perfect Renaissance-castle!
Balzac described it as „a diamond with a thousand facets, set in the river Indre“. What more is there to say? You spend the night here, directly in the village, and have the opportunity to enjoy the magic of the castle with its impressive cultural events.

Today’s journey includes a scenic highlight: through the romantic river scenery along the Indre, you come to the lovely small town of Montbazon. There is a short climb to overcome, over a ridge to the valley of the river Cher. You continue along meadow paths beside the Cher towards the village of Bléré, and on to your overnight accommodation in the historical town of Chenonceaux. The castle of Chenonceaux is the most spectacular of all the Loire castles, and is located in an unique position, with a two-storey gallery spanning the river, and with the impressive castle gardens stretching out in front of it. But see for yourself!

Today, you have two possibilities: you can choose the shorter trip which takes you through the scenic countryside of the Touraine to Castle Chaumont, and from here further along the romantic paths of the Loire to Blois. After checking in at the hotel, you can explore the surroundings. An excellent choice would be to visit Castle Blois with its galleries, balconies, and oriels. The second, longer option, is for all devoted Loire castle fans: via Montrichard, Cheverny, Villesavine to Castle Chambord. The „Domaine de Chambord“ extends as far as the eye can see. The walls of the largest and most magnificent residence in the Loire are visible through the trees from far away – the immortal legacy of a disloyal king. The choice is yours!

The river flows gently between golden, shimmering sandbanks. A characteristic feature of this region are the cliff dwellings, built into the soft limestone, so that the only evidence of their existence was the smoke rising from their fires. You cross the Loire to visit the king of all castles – Castle Amboise. It hosted five kings and a Roman emperor. A genius of the 16th century – Leonardo da Vinci – also spent his last years here. Along hidden paths and through vineyards and past wine-cellars, you cycle through Rochecorbon towards Tours.

C‘est la vie – today your journey to the castles of the Loire has come to an end! One more substantial breakfast, then it‘s time to say goodbye to one of the most charming, delightful regions of France. Should you decide to extend your holiday, we would be delighted to book accommodation for you!

Tour character

The route takes you through gently rolling countryside with only a few climbs, although a certain level of basic fitness willl enable you to enjoy the countryside and its many attractions all the more. The route runs mainly along cycle paths, service roads and quiet side roads.

Prices and events

All data for 2023 at a glance
Place of arrival: Tours
  Season 1
01.04.2023 - 14.04.2023
30.09.2023 - 07.10.2023

Arrival Saturday and Thursday
Season 2
15.04.2023 - 12.05.2023
09.09.2023 - 29.09.2023

Arrival Saturday and Thursday
Season 3
13.05.2023 - 08.09.2023

Arrival Saturday and Thursday
Castles on River Loire, 8 days, cat. A, FR-LORTT-08A
Base price
979.00
1,039.00
1,099.00
Surcharge single room 349.00 349.00 349.00
Castles on River Loire, 8 days, cat. B, FR-LORTT-08B
Base price
859.00
929.00
979.00
Surcharge single room 349.00 349.00 349.00
Season 1
Apr 1, 2023 - Apr 14, 2023
Sep 30, 2023 - Oct 7, 2023
Arrival Saturday and Thursday
Season 2
Apr 15, 2023 - May 12, 2023
Sep 9, 2023 - Sep 29, 2023
Arrival Saturday and Thursday
Season 3
May 13, 2023 - Sep 8, 2023
Arrival Saturday and Thursday
Castles on River Loire, 8 days, cat. A, FR-LORTT-08A
Base price
Surcharge single room
Castles on River Loire, 8 days, cat. B, FR-LORTT-08B
Base price
Surcharge single room
979.00
349.00
859.00
349.00
1,039.00
349.00
929.00
349.00
1,099.00
349.00
979.00
349.00
Season 1
Apr 1, 2023 - Apr 14, 2023
Sep 30, 2023 - Oct 7, 2023
Season 2
Apr 15, 2023 - May 12, 2023
Sep 9, 2023 - Sep 29, 2023
Season 3
May 13, 2023 - Sep 8, 2023
Tours
Double room p. P. cat. A
Surcharge single room
Tours
Double room p. P. cat. B
Surcharge single room
65.00
45.00
65.00
45.00
65.00
45.00
65.00
45.00
65.00
45.00
65.00
45.00
Additional nights
Place of arrival: Tours
  Season 1
Apr 1, 2023 - Apr 14, 2023
Sep 30, 2023 - Oct 7, 2023

Arrival Saturday and Thursday
Season 2
Apr 15, 2023 - May 12, 2023
Sep 9, 2023 - Sep 29, 2023

Arrival Saturday and Thursday
Season 3
May 13, 2023 - Sep 8, 2023

Arrival Saturday and Thursday
Tours
Double room p. P. cat. A 65.00 65.00 65.00
Surcharge single room 45.00 45.00 45.00
Tours
Double room p. P. cat. B 65.00 65.00 65.00
Surcharge single room 45.00 45.00 45.00
Filter
21-gear unisex incl. rental bike insurance
21-gear gents incl. rental bike insurance
rental bike PLUS incl. rental bike insurance
Electric bike incl. rental bike insurance
99.00
99.00
159.00
239.00
Prices per person in EUR

Services and extras

Services

Included:

  • 7 Overnights in hotels of the booked category incl. breakfast buffet or extended breakfast
  • Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
  • At best elaborated route with maps (GE,EN,FR)
  • Detailed travel documents with maps 1x per room (GE,EN,FR)
  • GPS-Tracks on request available
  • For rental bikes, rental bike insurance
  • 7-days-service-hotline

Not included:

  • Arrival and departure
  • Costs for parking
  • City tax
  • Transfers
  • Optional sightseeings
  • City maps
  • Repairs of own bike
  • Travel Insurances
  • Costs of the private requirements

 

Extras

Arrival / Parking / Departure

Arriving by train: change trains in Paris - you will have to go by Underground to another station; therefore it is not possible to take your bike with you.


Arrival by car: Depending on the booked category hotel garage or public parking garage for about € 50,- per week. No reservation possible; payable locally.


Flights to Paris: good plane connections, also cheap economy flights; good connections by train to Tours (about 250 km).
Hotels

French hotel classification

 

Category A: Overnight stays in quality hotels of the 2*/3* category. All rooms with shower/bath and WC.

 

Category B: Overnight stays in hotels of the 2* category. The accommodations may be in the surroundings of the city. All rooms with shower/bath and WC.

Important notes

Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

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