The biking tour of the Loire Valley was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Everything was so well organized. From the selection of accommodations to the luggage being at each hotel when we arrived.
- L. Tongue

This is a self guided cycling tour, but you are not alone! Learn more!
self guided cycling tours
Tours > Cycling Tours > Loire Valley Tours > Challenging Tour

Loire Valley Challenging Bike Tour

This Loire Valley Cycling Tour covers more ground on a line that follows the Loire River all the way to the Atlantic Coast. Starting in the historical old city of Orleans, the route passes numerous chateaux, historical sites, and fascinating towns and cities. The flat-to-rolling terrain is perfect for cycling and is filled with trees and colors.

For many visitors, the Loire Valley conjures images from the fairy tales of childhood. The cycling will take you to chateaux that are visiting such as Blois, Chaumont, Amboise, Azay le Rideau, Villandry, Chinon, Saumur, Fontevraud, Angers! From there as you near the coast, you stop in Nantes and then the seaside!. You will also cycle through some important wine regions and have the chance to explore some well known gardens. All the best of the Loire Valley by bicycle! Blog Articles about the Loire Region:

Loire Valley Wine | 5 Things You Didn't Know About the Loire | 5 Foods to Try in the Loire Region | 3 Must Visit Towns in the Loire | 5 Reaons to Cycle in the Loire Valley!


Tour Details


Maps & Profiles

NOTE: Please click on the profile image to see the complete profile in true relief; the thumbnail version below is automatically made small and this distorts the actual relief of the terrain.

Day-2 Day-3 Day-4 Day-5

LOIRE_Challenging_Blois-Amboise short

LOIRE_Challenging_Amboise-Chinon

LOIRE_Challenging_Chinon-Angers

LOIRE_Challenging_Angers-Nantes
Day-6      

LOIRE_Challenging_Nantes-Pornic

      

Map

Total Distance: 496 km

Total Uphill:
3430 m

Total Downhill:
3504 m


Level 3

Itinerary

Click on a day to see that days itinerary.

DAY 1 DAY 2

Day 2 - Blois - Amboise (91-81km) You should start early on this day if you want to take time to visit the castles. Today the ride starts out quiet and the anticipation builds as you approach the forest of Chambord that hides the most famous of the Loire chateaux until the last moment when you come into the clearing and see the site! Coming out from the park of Chambord, you will have the possibility to try some chocolate, visit Bracieux village and/or another famous castles: Cheverny and Chateau of Chaumont sur Loire and its International garden festival. At the end you arrive to the royal village of Amboise. The short option does not go to Cheverny.

Hotel La Breche

2

Amboise

At a distance of 500 yards from the town center in the shadow in the raised garden, this residence d...

DAY 3

Day 3 - Amboise - Chinon (85km) Today you go through the history of France and its different types of castles. Todays ride is mostly on bike lane roads. The first leg of todays ride will take you through the vineyards of Montlouis before reaching Tours. Then you pass nearby the chateau of Villandry with its famous garden and the medieval village of Langeais with its massive medieval castle. At last you can have a look to the sleeping beauty Chateau of Usse before reaching the town where Jeanne of Arc met the King Charles VII : Chinon.

Hotel Diderot

2

Chinon

The two star Hotel Diderot is like arriving at a friend’s house ... the charm of an authent...

DAY 4

Day 4 - Chinon - Angers (95km)Wine day ! Leaving the vineyards of Chinon, you will then go through the vineyards of Saumur, Champigny and finally Anjou at the end of your ride. On your way, you will be able to visit the largest abbey in Europe: Fontevraud, definitely worth a stop! Some of the highlights for today also include the chateau and city of Saumur and the fortress in Angers.

Hotel de France Angers

3

Angers

The Hotel De France Angers is located just few steps away from the City centre as well as from the C...

DAY 5

Day 5 - Angers - Nantes (100km)Riding day with short hills and long distance, so we recommend starting early! The ride today will be very peaceful, along the Loire River, with very little traffic. Your destination or today is Nantes, a very dynamic city which is great for cyclists since they have pushed and developed the use of bikes and bike friendly roads in town. On the way you will discover small and typical French villages with their unique Churches (St Floren le Vieil, Ancenis).

Hotel de France Nantes

3

Nantes

Located in the heart of Nantes, close to the Opéra, De France hotel is housed in a 18th century bui...

DAY 6

Day 6 - Nantes - Pornic (84 km ). The ride today will take you to the coast of the Atlantic Ocean for your last night! First, you can make a stop to visit the extraordinary artistic project of the MACHINES DE L ILE, a blend of the invented worlds of Jules Verne. Then go through the tiny fishing village of Trentemoult. And the last part of your ride will have you ride on small roads all the way to the Ocean. You will ride along the coast for a few miles before reaching your hotel in Pornic, which offers spa treatments to reward yourself after such a challenging tour!

Hotel Alliance

3

Pornic - Atlantic Coast

Lying between Brittany and the Vendée and looking out over the Atlantic, Pornic is ideally situated...

DAY 7

Day 7 - departure day after breakfast.. You can take a train back to Paris via Nantes or add additional nights!



General Tour Information

Loire Challenging Tour
6 Nights / 7 Days

Dates - This tour can depart any day, subject to hotel availability. April through October.

Level - Rides from as few as 85 km up to 100km;
Level: Rated Level 3 with longer rides over flat to rolling terrain; recommended for regular cyclists putting in 150km/week or more.

Details
Arrival city is Blois, which is accessible via train from Paris; 1 hour 30 min approx. Departure from Pornic to Nantes with direct trains to Paris. (3.5 hours)

Book a Hotel in Loire Valley
What is self-guided touring?

Misc Info - Triples and larger rooms are occasionally available, booking in advance required.

Optional Services:

Travel insurance, Paris museum & metro passes, Paris day tours, Lido shows, and other services. Cell phone rental and luggage storage services.

Note: prices subject to change based upon currency fluctuations. See Booking Terms and Conditions.

What's Included

gps and road book for cycling tours in france

The Trip Includes
 excellent hotels (3 star shown) with private bathroom, all breakfasts as shown, daily bag transfer, arrival orientation, road book with detailed maps and directions, GPS - 1 per 2 persons, site/visit information, emergency support. We also provide travel planning to add Paris hotels, car rentals, France hotels, trains, airport transfers, trains, and more.

To learn more about the road books and GPS units we included, visit this link: GPS & Road Book Details

For hotels included in this tour, please see the Itinerary tab; each hotel is shown for each day.


BASIC Hotel version - 2 star hotels, Hotel de France et de Guise, Hotel la Breche, Hotel Diderot, Hotel Le Progres, Hotel de France, Hotel Alizes. see price in the Price tab.
Additional Nights: TBD - please inquire

Tour Rates

Price

- Standard 2&3 star hotels

Double Occupancy

1363 €/person

Solo Supplement:

786 €

Triple Occupancy

1136 €/person

Single supplements with 2 or more travelers: 274 €

- Basic 2 star hotels

Double Occupancy

1226 €/person

Solo Supplement:

712 €

Triple Occupancy

993 €/person

Single supplements with 2 or more travelers: 162 €

***Bike Rentals are available for a supplement of 105 euros, please see the Bike Rental tab for all details about the bikes we offer.

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Photos & Videos

Virtual Tour

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Bike Info

Bike Rentals:
bike rental discover france cycling tours Scott Sportster P3/P4 & P40 hybrid rentals - the best rental bike available in the region!
Bike Equipment: Scott Sportster P3/P4 or P40 hybrid; see details on this page including a virtual photo tour, specs and all information.

Rental Rate: 105 euros/bike for the duration of the tour. This includes all the gear shown as well as bike delivery, set up, and bike return. Every bike is given an inspection by our mechanics in the bike shop before they go out again. Pedals with or without straps available. Clients can bring their own Clipless pedals to be changed over.


ROAD BIKES: carbon frame rentals possible at higher rates, subject to availability and shipping costs. Please inquire.


Scott Sportster P3/P4 & P40 hybrids; see link for full details and picture. Helmets and add on materials included in the rental rate of 105 euros.

 



You are important to us; so we make you thoroughly prepared and include:
Pre-trip travel documents: you will receive extensive information as a customer prior to your departure, see below. Upon confirmation of your tour we will send you some general information about preparations including passport info, training tips, and reading lists, cell phone rental, travel insurance, and more!

Upon final payment, we will send to you a complete list of documentation by email including Hotel List, contact numbers, itineraries, a packing list, regional information about sites, culture, regional specialities, important towns and historical sites, general France travel information, bike travel tips, vouchers, train travel tips, language phrases, holiday info, tour details, culture and customs tips, and much, much more!

Other Tours: Travel for this region
Loire Valley Biking Tours
Loire Valley Walking Tours

Bicycle Tour Regions
Alsace Burgundy Dordogne/SW Loire Valley Rhone-Alpes
Brittany Champagne Languedoc Normandy Provence