No region in France is as representative of the country's royal splendor as the Loire Valley. With grand chateaux, hilltop villages, and lazy rivers that wind through forests and vineyards, the Loire offers a feast for the senses that proclaims, "This is France!" There are no upcoming tours scheduled at this time. Trip At-A-Glance More Photos Tour Summary Highlights French villages of Azay-le Rideau, Amboise, Tours, and Cheverny, Spectacular castles and gardens including Chambord and Chenonceau, Guided tour of Leonardo da Vinci's Clos Lucé, Guided tour of Chenonceau, Sleep in a
castle, built between the 15th and 19th centuries, Pools in two of three hotels, A special behind-the-scenes tour of Chambord Because you will be using bike paths there will be limited van support. Some bike paths are very popular so although car traffic is minimal you will have instances of
bike traffic. Includes 8 days, 7 nights' accommodation; 4 dinners with wine, 7 breakfasts; entry to Chambord and Chenonceaux; shuttle from Tours to the tour start; shuttle at the end of the tour to a nearby train station; Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your SightSeer tour at the SightSeer Tour Style page. Arrive
/ Depart Paris: Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) or Orly (ORY) Overall Tour Level 1.5
Though the rides are quite gentle you will encounter some rolling terrain most days. Mostly on dedicated bike paths and country lanes.
Terrain LegendGentle Rolling hills Hilly Very hilly Mountainous
Daily Itinerary Download Itinerary DAY 1: Arrive in Azay-le-Rideau, FranceHighlights: Château of Azay-le-RideauMeet your complimentary ExperiencePlus! shuttle at 12 noon at the Saint Pierre des Corps train station (4 km outside of Tours). We'll whisk you off through French writer Honoré de Balzac's favorite countryside, to our charming country inn in Azay-le-Rideau. Make sure to visit its fairy-tale chateau: one of the most striking in all of France. Balzac once described this château as "a diamond set in the Indre River valley." We'll fit bicycles this afternoon, do a short test ride, and enjoy a special welcome dinner together.
DAY 2: Château de Langeais and UsséHighlights: Castles of Langeais and UsséToday, we'll suggest a ride to the Château de Langeais, and then on to the Château d'Ussé. A perennial ExperiencePlus! favorite for its medieval feel, tapestries, and intriguing history, the Château de Langeais boasts the oldest building you'll see all week: a tenth century keep. Continue pedaling along the Loire River to the Château d'Ussé, famed as the inspiration for Charles Pérault's Sleeping Beauty. DAY 3: AmboiseHighlights: Château de Villandry, Tours, Leonardo da Vinci's AmboiseToday's ride features the Château de Villandry, the last of the large Châteaux built along the Loire during the Renaissance. Visit the spectacular, ornamental gardens before continuing on bike paths by half-timber houses in Tours. From there, it's a short ride to the town of Amboise which boasts the manor house of Le Clos Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci came to spend the last three years of his life upon invitation from the French King Francis I. Leonardo is buried in the castle's chapel.
DAY 4: AmboiseHighlights: Château d'Amboise, guided tour of Leonardo da Vinci's Clos LucéTake the day off your bike today to explore the rich town of Amboise. Start with a fascinating guided tour of the Clos Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci spent the final years of his life. Walk through his bedroom, discover where he worked, and stroll through the vast gardens where many of his inventions were constructed for the first time. You'll have plenty of time to visit the enormous castle, taste some excellent chocolate, and lounge around the pool this afternoon. If you're set on riding your bike, Vouvray, home of world class Chenin Blanc wines awaits. DAY 5: AmboiseHighlights: Château de Chenonceau; canoe trip down the Cher RiverHead off toward the Cher River this morning where we'll regroup to canoe to the famous castle of Chenonceau. The castle forms a bridge across the river, one of the tributaries to the Loire. You'll leave your canoe here for a free afternoon to explore the castle, once occupied by Diane de Poitiers, mistress to Henri II. After the king's death in 1599, Queen Catherine de Medici reclaimed the castle and evicted de Poitiers. You can still explore the two separate gardens created for these two women. DAY 6: ChevernyHighlights: Château de Chaumont, Fougéres, BreuilPedal along the Loire river again to Chaumont, with its spectacular gardens, park, and castle perched over the Loire river valley. From there you'll bicycle to Fougéres, a lesser-known castle well worth the visit. The 15-19th century castle you'll be sleeping in tonight is surrounded by a 110-acre park. Tonight, feast on a gourmet meal together in our château. DAY 7: ChevernyHighlights: Château de Chambord and ChevernyYou have the chance to visit two of the most popular Loire Châteaux today: Chambord and Cheverny. Some say Leonardo da Vinci designed the opulent 400-room Château de Chambord when he lived at the royal court. The Château nearly bankrupted the French treasury before its completion in 1685. Enjoy a unique behind-the-scenes tour of the castle this morning. After lunch, pedal to Cheverny, another long-time favorite of ours. A celebratory dinner together this evening at our castle. DAY 8: FarewellHighlights: Bon voyage!Your tour ends after breakfast today. We hope you've enjoyed this relaxing cultural and historic exploration of the Loire! We'll offer a shuttle this morning to the nearby Blois Chambord train station with connections to Paris. The shuttle arrives there around 10 a.m. Bon voyage!
Travel Information Travel InformationKeep in MindWe work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour. Because you will be using bike paths there will be limited van support. Some bike paths are very popular so although car traffic is minimal you will have instances of bike traffic. Pre-Trip Planning ChecklistTo Do Today!
6 to 3 Months Prior to Tour Start Date
6 to 2 Weeks Prior to Tour Start Date
Day of Your FlightGet as much sleep on the plane as you can. Pack your Getting To and Away information and one day of cycling gear in your carry-on. See you soon! What to Expect on TourSightSeer Tour StyleLearn more about what is included and what to expect on your SightSeer tour at the SightSeer page. Map MapReviews Reviews
Similar Tours Similar ToursGentleGentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%. Rolling HillsRolling hills featuring multiple gentle slopes (average grade of 3-4%) usually less than 3 km (2 miles). There may also be an occasional shorter (less than 2 km -1 mile) but steeper climb. Or a longer climb where the average grade is less than 3%. HillyHilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%. Very HillyVery hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade. MountainousMountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%. Level 4 - 4.5For experienced riders who love to climb (and descend) and enjoy a few longer days in the saddle. Browse Level 4 - 4.5 Trips Level 5Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents. Read more about ExpeditionPlus! Terrain DefinitionsGentleGentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%. HillyHilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%. Very HillyVery hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade. MountainousMountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%. Tour LevelsLevel 1 - 1.5For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing. Browse Level 1 - 1.5 Trips Level 2 - 2.5Suitable for riders who enjoy hills and the occasional steeper climb. Browse Level 2 - 2.5 Trips Level 3 - 3.5For riders who prefer hilly terrain most days and/or longer mileage days. Browse Level 3 - 3.5 Trips Level 4 - 4.5For experienced riders who love to climb (and descend) and enjoy a few longer days in the saddle. Browse Level 4 - 4.5 Trips Level 5Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents. Read more about ExpeditionPlus! Style DefinitionsThese are the definitions...  |
1 day bike tour loire valley
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