Cycling Loire

5 Days/4 nights Cycling Loire Tour in the Loire Valley

The Loire Valley, known as “France's Garden”, is also fast becoming France's cycle path.
Since summer 2007, the “Loire à Vélo” trail covers over 400km of cycling tracks along the Loire River and its tributaries and cycling Loire is now a great way to appreciate the Loire Valley castles. Most of the itinerary crosses the sumptuous settings of the Loire Valley, listed as World Heritage by UNESCO. Families can meander through tranquil car-free routes, taking in the sights and sounds of chateau country .

Key points: Diversity of the landscape...Discovery of the less known areas of the Loire...”Luggage free Tour” as RiverLoire will transport them from accommodation to accommodation daily...Possibility to adapt the itinerary to your cycling requirements...Bikes provided with all equipment including cycling GPS...

Day 1 - Arrival in the Loire Valley, Amboise

We welcome you at Tours (airport or train station) and transfer you to your 4 star Manor House Hotel in Amboise and personally deliver  your "carnet de voyage" (all you need to know for a wonderful stay, maps, itinerary, tickets...).

Time in the afternoon to visit the Chateau Amboise. 

Dinner in a highly-regarded gastronomic restaurant of Amboise, where the innovative Loire cuisine, light and ecological fare has been praised many times by food critics and is sure to delight your tastes buds.

Night in a Manor House Hotel in Amboise.

Day 2 - Chenonceau and Montbazon

Pick up and transfer this morning by Riverloire to the starting point of your cycling Loire journey. Opportunity to visit a private property and its private cellar which only opens its gates to RiverLoire. Wine and cheese tasting...and a great way  to be in contact with local people, and a great approach to some of the best Loire Valley wines.

Ride to Chenonceaux for the visit of the Chateau Chenonceau without queuing, thanks to your pre booked tickets. Chenonceau is a supreme example of Renaissance architecture, one of the most outstanding Loire Valley castles set on its anchors of stone, withstands the challenges of time.

Ride to Montbazon after a lunch in the park of the Chateau de Chenonceau.

Spend the night in a 4 star Chateau hotel, dinner at the high regarded restaurant of the chateau.

Day 3 – Renaissance and gardens

Ride to Villandry and visit of the Chateau Villandry and outstanding gardens.

Ride to Azay le Rideau through the Forest of Villandry, and visit of the Chateau d'Azay le Rideau a very graceful Renaissance Chateau, with richly decorated façades mirroring in the peaceful water of its lake.

Diner in Azay le Rideau.

Night in a charming 3 star hotel, established in an historical house.

Day 4 – Sleeping Beauty and spirituality

Ride to Ussé for the visit of the Chateau Usse which gave Charles Perrault the inspiration he required for his story of "The Sleeping Beauty".

Ride to Abbaye de Fontevraud for a visit of this incredible masterpiece.

Ride back to Montsoreau and visit of the amazing Chateau of Montsoreau and check in into your hotel. If you wish, you could also continue riding to Brézé and visit the outstanding Chateau de Bréze with its underground fortress and wine tasting, this will add about 20 km ride.

Night and dinner in a  3 star rated “Boutique”Hotel in Montsoreau.

Day 5 – Saumur and the Cadre Noir

Ride to Saumur and stop at the Cadre Noir de Saumur for a visit.

Spend the day in Saumur.

Pick up by RiverLoire in Saumur and transfer back to Amboise/train station/Tours airport...

End of the tour, with the anticipated pleasure of seeing you again soon !

This package includes:

• 4 Nights in a 4 star Manor House Hotel, 4 star rated Chateau Hotel,3 star charm Hotel, and 3 star rated Boutique Hotel.
• Breakfast daily, 4 Dinners (one with drinks included) and 1 lunch with drinks included to experience pure Loire Cuisine.
• A wine a cheese tasting.
• All the entrance fees of the Loire Valley castles listed and Cadre Noir in Saumur.
• Rental bicycles from day 2 to day 5 included, with “touring package” (helmets, cycling bags, repair kit, maps holder...).
• Personalized and detailed itinerary maps.
• Cycling Loire GPS + safety kit.
• All the transfers of your luggage in between accommodation.
• Transfer on the last day from Saumur to Tours/Amboise.
• Safe parking for your car during your cycling journey if needed.
• All gratuities, fees and taxes.
• RiverLoire local assistance during all your stay.

Tour prices from:

RiverLoire can organise this cycling Loire tour for a larger group. Please note as well that this program is one of our suggested cycling Loire itineraries, but that we can accommodate it according to your level of fitness, points of interests, budget and duration of travel.