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Castle of the Loire Valley | Discoverer

Cycling in the magical Loire Valley

La Route Royale

This cycling tour leads you into the romantic Loire valleys and its tributaries, into the ‚Garden of France‘ and is totally characterised by royal residences built here centuries ago. Kings, overlords and court ladies seduced by the scenic allure of the region, took up residence here – and left their marks, which are best followed by bike: Villandry with its marvellous grounds, the ‚Sleeping Beauty Palace‘ Ussé, the royal abbey of Fontevraud, which was at times used as a prison, the spectacular Chenonceaux palace, built on top of the foundations of a watermill situtated directly into the river Cher … One fascinating, one-of-a-kind building followed by the next. Inbetween vineyards and wine villages oozing rural charm cover the area.

Adventurous cyclists get their money’s worth and take plenty of time escpeically for Chambord palace and the numerous sights of Blois and Amboise. Without any pressure you cycle from palace to palace, delight in the stupendous architecture and revel in the royal sense of life of a region, where the wealthy and powerful of days gone by used to abnadon themselves to idleness and where you too will feel just like you live in clover.

France
Easy to moderate
  • 10 Days / 9 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!

Today is mostly dedicated to Chambord palace. Already from a distance this largest and most stupendous residence on the river Loire is shimmering through the trees. You get a very good idea of the incredible dimensions of the complex if you cycle around the palace along the canal. Just the park is a large as the 20 districts of Paris and is surrounded by a 35 km long wall. Half a millennium of French history in Chambord has left its mark: built in the Renaissance are under the art-loving King Francois I., venue for glittering parties and hunting festivities under ‚le Roi Soleil‘ Ludwig XIV., plundered during the French Revolution and today after Versaille the second most visited palace in France. It will be very easy for you to find lots of good reasons for it.

The Loire-cycle path leads you from Blois to Chaumont-sur-Loire. The palace here has never been a royal residence and is hence a bit of an insider tip. It is a sight to see mainly due to the giant park, the annual venue for an international garden show. You end your day in Amboise, whose palace is an especially early example for Renaissance architecture in the Loire-valley. One of the greatest artists of this era found his final resting place here: the town house Clos Lucé attached  to the castle is very much dedicated to the memory of Leonardo da Vinci.

The final stage of your cycling tour leads you once more into the vineyards on the slopes above the river Loire, into the wine-growing area Montlouis-sur-Loire and the little town witht the same name with its idyllic location on the river. Here we recommend a short break before you continue again along the riverbank back to Tours. Seize the remaining time after this rather short cycle tour to again thoroughly explore Tours. There are plenty of options: the basilica Saint-Martin, the botanical gardens, the historic town centre with ‚Place Plumereau‘, only to name a few.

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 Thursday, Saturday
Season 2
15.04.2023 - 12.05.2023
09.09.2023 - 29.09.2023

Arrival Thursday, Saturday
Season 3
13.05.2023 - 08.09.2023

Arrival Thursday, Saturday
Castles on River Loire, 10 days, cat. A, FR-LORTT-10A
Base price
1,199.00
1,279.00
1,339.00
Surcharge single room 459.00 459.00 459.00
Castles on River Loire, 10 days, cat. B, FR-LORTT-10B
Base price
1,029.00
1,099.00
1,159.00
Surcharge single room 439.00 439.00 439.00
Season 1
Apr 1, 2023 - Apr 14, 2023
Sep 30, 2023 - Oct 7, 2023
Arrival Thursday, Saturday
Season 2
Apr 15, 2023 - May 12, 2023
Sep 9, 2023 - Sep 29, 2023
Arrival Thursday, Saturday
Season 3
May 13, 2023 - Sep 8, 2023
Arrival Thursday, Saturday
Castles on River Loire, 10 days, cat. A, FR-LORTT-10A
Base price
Surcharge single room
Castles on River Loire, 10 days, cat. B, FR-LORTT-10B
Base price
Surcharge single room
1,199.00
459.00
1,029.00
439.00
1,279.00
459.00
1,099.00
439.00
1,339.00
459.00
1,159.00
439.00
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 Thursday, Saturday
Season 2
Apr 15, 2023 - May 12, 2023
Sep 9, 2023 - Sep 29, 2023

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

Arrival Thursday, Saturday
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
109.00
109.00
175.00
259.00
Prices per person in EUR

Services and extras

Services

Included:

  • 9 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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