"We loved this vacation. The cities we visited on the tour were fantastic and just beautiful. Sebastian our tour contact was wonderful to meet and helpful and informative.."
- client, Loire Valley

This is a self guided cycling tour, but you are not alone! Learn more!
self guided cycling tours
Tours > Cycling Tours > Loire Valley Tours > Classic 7 night

Cycling Loire Valley Classic 7 Night Tour

The valleys of the Loire, Cher and Indre rivers are a harmonious combination of non navigated rivers, rich vineyards and vast forests. Discover the landscapes, unspoiled nature, beautiful gardens and breathtaking castles of the Loire Valley on your bike. The terrain is wonderful for bicycle riding - mostly flat to rolling - and is filled with rivers, trees, and colors. (see our videos) On this 247 km bike tour, you will explore the area between Chambord and Azay le Rideau, and you'll have the opportunity to visit Amboise, Chenonceau and Chambord castles among others. Our selected hotels and the local restaurants will spoil you with regional gastronomic food and local wines. For many visitors, the Loire Valley conjures pictures from the fairy tales of childhood. Read more

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_7N_Tours-Azay le Rideau short

LOIRE_7N_Azay le Rideau-Luynes short

LOIRE_7N_Luynes-Amboise

LOIRE_7N_Loop Amboise Chenonceau long
Day-6 Day-7    

LOIRE_7N_Amboise-Blois short

LOIRE_7N_Loop Blois short

    

Tour Map


Total Distance: 247 km


Total Uphill:
1294 m


Total Downhill: 1273 m


Level: 2

Itinerary

Click on a day to see that days itinerary.

DAY 1 DAY 2

Day 2 - Ride to Azay le Rideau. Going first to fantastic gardens at the famous Villandry, you will ride alongside the Cher and Loire Rivers and along the Loire a Velo route. After, continue toward Azay le Rideau and that classic chateau, where you can spend plenty of time to visit the castle and possibly see the sound and light show. This renaissance era castle is considered a classic design and its setting alongside the Indre River is magic. Dinner included. (Upgrade hotel shown) 36 or 48km. (B,D)

Le Grand Monarque

3

Azay Le Rideau

In the heart of the Valley of the Kings, where the Touraine is the most authentic, sits Le Grand Mon...

DAY 3

Day 3 From Azay it is on to more castles, first stop Sleeping Beauty Castle Usse. Then, you continue on to Langeais and stay nearby to Villandry but across the rivers in Luynes and a castle hotel, dinner included. Upgraded hotel shown. 46km with option to cut to 34km. (B,D) Read about chateaux on this trip

DOMAINE DE BEAUVOIS

4

Luynes

DESCRIPTION OF HOTEL: (Tours 10km) This 16th and 17th century manor house, surrounded by 350...

DAY 4

Day 4 Ride to Vouvray then Amboise. A flat ride to pass around Tours and then into the wine country of the famous appellation Vouvray. About Vouvray wines: Vouvray is the largest white wine appellation of the Anjou-Saumur-Touraine region and it produces splendid wines from the dry and austere to the richest dessert wines, as well as excellent sparkling wines. (see Amboise videos) On to charming Amboise with animation and ambiance; dinner included at your hotel. 46 km (B,D)

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 5

Day 5 Loop trip to Chenonceau to explore. A short and moderately flat ride will take you through the forests and alleys of the Amboise countryside passing by the Parc Mini Chateaux (great for kids) and then dropping down to the fabulous Chenonceau castle that must be discovered with plenty of time to visit. Chenonceau, erected by Henry II in the XVIth century over the Cher river and improved by Catherine de Medici. The castle hides several pieces of historical interest, furniture and tapestries. Ride back to Amboise for a moderate trip of about 30 or 50 km. (B)

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 6

Day 6 - To Blois via Chaumont Castle!. Depart from Amboise and ride through many small villages, stopping at privately owned chateaux on the way. For lunch, why not stop at the famous Gardens festival and Chateau of Chaumont for a picnic followed by a visit! Then you will either go on a short and quiet ride to Blois or choose the longer option riding through sunflower fields and deep countryside of the area to visit more chateaux such as Fougeres and Beauregard. 44/68 km options.(B) Read about chateaux on this trip (B)

Mercure Blois Centre

3

Blois

The hotel Mercure Blois Centre, completely renovated, is located in the heart of the chateaux of the...

DAY 7

Day 7 Chambord & Blois . Today, you will again have 2 ride options. The short option takes you to the famous Chambord, where you can enjoy the magnificent architecture and unique features. Then you can enjoy a chocolate tasting in a chocolate factory in a nearby charming village before heading back to Blois with a stop at the Chateau de Villesavin. On the longer option, after Chambord, you will continue south to the Chateaux of Cheverny, Troussay and Beauregard. Those are easy rides on flat terrain, just enjoy the scenery imagining how and why the kings chose this area as their vacation place! Ride distance is 49km Chambord roundtrip, with Cheverny count 63 km. (B)

Mercure Blois Centre

3

Blois

The hotel Mercure Blois Centre, completely renovated, is located in the heart of the chateaux of the...

DAY 8

Day 8 is departure day from Blois after breakfast, at your leisure. Trains available direct to Paris. (B)



General Tour Information

Loire Classic 7 Night Cycling Tour
7 Nights / 8 Days

Dates
Tour departs any day, subject to hotel availability. April through October.

Level - Average riding 45 km/day.
Level 2: moderate riding. (2)

Details - Arrival city is Tours/Joue les Tours, which accessible via train from Paris to St Pierre des Corps. 1hour 10min by TGV. Depart from Blois, 1hour 30min to Paris.

Misc Info - Triples and larger rooms are occasionally available, but rates are not available except by request.

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
 Charming 2 & 3 star hotels with private bathroom, all breakfasts and some dinners (4) 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.

UPGRADE: an upgraded hotel version is available for supplement (see price tab); the hotels on this version are: Chateau de Beaulieu Executive room, Grand Monarque Deluxe Room, Domaine de Beauvois Deluxe room, Le Choiseul Deluxe room, Mercure Blois Privilege room.

BASIC Hotel version - 2 star hotels, Hotel du Manoir, Hotel des Chateaux, Domaine de Beauvois Tradition room, Hotel la Breche, Hotel de France et de Guise. see price in the Price tab.
Additional Nights: TBD - please inquire

Tour Rates

Price

- Upgraded Deluxe 3&4 star hotels

Double Occupancy

1504 €/person

- Standard 2&3&4 star hotels

Double Occupancy

1255 €/person

Solo Supplement

533 €

Triple Occupancy

1100 €/person

Single supplements with 2 or more travelers: 266 €
Hotels shown are this version!

- Basic 2&4 star hotels

Double Occupancy

1047 €/person

Triple Occupancy

886 €/person

***Bike Rentals are available for a supplement of 105 euros, please see the Bike Rental tab for all details about the bikes we offer. NOTE: for hotel info in Upgrade or Basic version as well as changes to included items, please contact us.

(convert from euros)

Photos & Videos

Virtual Tour

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

See More

 

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.



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 Multisport Tours

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