Loire Valley Secret Castles
5
Jessica Brody
We had a fabulous tour! What a great experience! Thank you for everything you’ve done to set this up and send on such a memorable trip!
Jessica Brody
United States
2019-09-20
We had a fabulous tour! What a great experience! Thank you for everything you’ve done to set this up and send on such a memorable trip!
5
Murphy
The hotels were lovely, excellent service and accommodations.
The bikes were very comfortable, a bit heavier than we were used to with hybrids but they made for a very smooth ride. Which I was very grateful for with my arm. Overall I managed quite well and the arm wasn’t too bothersome! Advil was key though :)
The routes were very well laid out with excellent instructions for the most part. We did have some difficulty getting in and out of Chinon, they didn’t update the GPS with the hotel change and just in general it wasn’t an easy area to navigate.
Our guide was lovely, I forget her name but she was very enthusiastic and kind.
Thanks for checking in and for your support. It was an awesome trip and we are already thinking about possible cycle tours in the future.
Murphy
United States
2019-09-12
The hotels were lovely, excellent service and accommodations.
The bikes were very comfortable, a bit heavier than we were used to with hybrids but they made for a very smooth ride. Which I was very grateful for with my arm. Overall I managed quite well and the arm wasn’t too bothersome! Advil was key though :)
The routes were very well laid out with excellent instructions for the most part. We did have some difficulty getting in and out of Chinon, they didn’t update the GPS with the hotel change and just in general it wasn’t an easy area to navigate.
Our guide was lovely, I forget her name but she was very enthusiastic and kind.
Thanks for checking in and for your support. It was an awesome trip and we are already thinking about possible cycle tours in the future.
5
Sands
The bike tour was fabulous – only drawback was the extreme high heat the three days we biked.
Also, I would mention or emphasize more in the note for those leaving Azay le Rideau that Chateau de l’Islette is only a 15 minute ride from Azay le Rideau. For those wanting to leave early morning (which we had to due to the weather), we had to wait over an hour (for we wanted to visit it) to get it. We were lucky to meet a New Zealand couple who were biking with another bike tour company and share notes of travels with them while waiting.
The bikes worked fine –didn’t have to add air to the tires or do any repairs the whole time. We loved the disc brakes. Sometime, with the steep climbs out of villages, I think I could have used an electric bike, but wouldn’t have wanted one for most of the tour. The only complaint my husband had was the bike was too short in length between the handle bars and his seat for him, and we didn’t notice that until we started riding, the morning after the orientation.
The places we stayed were wonderful, and relieving. Breakfasts were beyond our expectations. The staff and hosts at all hotels were superb, friendly, gracious greetings and warm hospitality – our favorite place was Chateau Beaulieu and the dinner provided there (fixed dinner/no choice) was our best of our whole stay in France, their breakfast spread – exceptional! We had about 45 minutes in the spa before it closed the afternoon/evening of our arrival at Beaulieu.
We thought the tour was well worth the money we paid for it. Thank you again for all your support, answers and suggestions before our trip.
Sands
United States
2019-07-18
The bike tour was fabulous – only drawback was the extreme high heat the three days we biked.
Also, I would mention or emphasize more in the note for those leaving Azay le Rideau that Chateau de l’Islette is only a 15 minute ride from Azay le Rideau. For those wanting to leave early morning (which we had to due to the weather), we had to wait over an hour (for we wanted to visit it) to get it. We were lucky to meet a New Zealand couple who were biking with another bike tour company and share notes of travels with them while waiting.
The bikes worked fine –didn’t have to add air to the tires or do any repairs the whole time. We loved the disc brakes. Sometime, with the steep climbs out of villages, I think I could have used an electric bike, but wouldn’t have wanted one for most of the tour. The only complaint my husband had was the bike was too short in length between the handle bars and his seat for him, and we didn’t notice that until we started riding, the morning after the orientation.
The places we stayed were wonderful, and relieving. Breakfasts were beyond our expectations. The staff and hosts at all hotels were superb, friendly, gracious greetings and warm hospitality – our favorite place was Chateau Beaulieu and the dinner provided there (fixed dinner/no choice) was our best of our whole stay in France, their breakfast spread – exceptional! We had about 45 minutes in the spa before it closed the afternoon/evening of our arrival at Beaulieu.
We thought the tour was well worth the money we paid for it. Thank you again for all your support, answers and suggestions before our trip.
5
Laura
This trip was a trip of a lifetime. My father and I are cycling enthusiasts and we thoroughly enjoyed this self guided tour of the Loire Valley. Although, I would recommend this trip to anyone with even a mild interest in cycling, its that amazing. Valentina was so helpful from day one and that's what sold me on this company. She was quick to respond to all of my questions, we scheduled a phone call, and even responded to my emails on weekends which I never would have expected! We did the standard version and the hotels were all fantastic, way nicer than I would have expected. Especially the one in Luynes! It was basically Versailles! The bike delivery, the moving of the luggage, delivery of the luggage and getting from place to place was pretty much seamless on Discover France's part. We made a few wrong turns even though we had the gps, but nothing too of course, and it led us to a few amazing wineries where we got to taste and buy a bottle to throw in our backpack. Our only feedback was to maybe upgrade to longer lasting gps' since once ours would get down to half battery and the guidance started to get a little wonky, but I shared that with Valentina and she said they are working towards upgrading them soon! Otherwise this trip couldn't have been better. The biking is mostly along endless bike paths, through quaint villages, and by many amazing Chateaus. I loved riding the paths along the beautiful river and they seemed to go on forever. Only a few times were we on bigger roads and that was just to get us to the next quiet bike path. Even on the bigger roads, the drivers were polite and most drove smaller cars so it didn't feel as threatening as riding in the US. The staff at many of the hotels came out to greet us when we arrived and were so friendly and helpful with parking our bikes and showing us to our room. The breakfasts were delicious, plentiful buffets, the dinners were incredible too, but save room (its tempting to eat as soon as you finish the ride...learn from our mistake) The poppies were in bloom, endless sounds of birds chirping, and everything was so green. It was may and it rained a little but it would pass and the sun would return. It was perfect bicycling weather in the perfect countryside. Wish I lived there!
Laura
United States
2019-06-26
This trip was a trip of a lifetime. My father and I are cycling enthusiasts and we thoroughly enjoyed this self guided tour of the Loire Valley. Although, I would recommend this trip to anyone with even a mild interest in cycling, its that amazing. Valentina was so helpful from day one and that's what sold me on this company. She was quick to respond to all of my questions, we scheduled a phone call, and even responded to my emails on weekends which I never would have expected! We did the standard version and the hotels were all fantastic, way nicer than I would have expected. Especially the one in Luynes! It was basically Versailles! The bike delivery, the moving of the luggage, delivery of the luggage and getting from place to place was pretty much seamless on Discover France's part. We made a few wrong turns even though we had the gps, but nothing too of course, and it led us to a few amazing wineries where we got to taste and buy a bottle to throw in our backpack. Our only feedback was to maybe upgrade to longer lasting gps' since once ours would get down to half battery and the guidance started to get a little wonky, but I shared that with Valentina and she said they are working towards upgrading them soon! Otherwise this trip couldn't have been better. The biking is mostly along endless bike paths, through quaint villages, and by many amazing Chateaus. I loved riding the paths along the beautiful river and they seemed to go on forever. Only a few times were we on bigger roads and that was just to get us to the next quiet bike path. Even on the bigger roads, the drivers were polite and most drove smaller cars so it didn't feel as threatening as riding in the US. The staff at many of the hotels came out to greet us when we arrived and were so friendly and helpful with parking our bikes and showing us to our room. The breakfasts were delicious, plentiful buffets, the dinners were incredible too, but save room (its tempting to eat as soon as you finish the ride...learn from our mistake) The poppies were in bloom, endless sounds of birds chirping, and everything was so green. It was may and it rained a little but it would pass and the sun would return. It was perfect bicycling weather in the perfect countryside. Wish I lived there!
5
Hart
We had a wonderful time! The bikes were great, they were so fast and easy to use! The only issue we had is one day Wills bike had a flat tire and we had to take it to a bike shop in Chinon to get the tire back on as we couldn’t do it ourselves. All the hotels were lovely, especially the hotel in Azay-le-Rideau and the breakfasts were delicious! We especially the track on the last day as it was mainly on small roads and through some beautiful villages and unusual places to bike!
The maps were easy to follow and gps was easy to use once we got the hang of it.
Thanks for all your help organizing it we loved every moment!
Thanks again
Hart
United States
2019-06-06
We had a wonderful time! The bikes were great, they were so fast and easy to use! The only issue we had is one day Wills bike had a flat tire and we had to take it to a bike shop in Chinon to get the tire back on as we couldn’t do it ourselves. All the hotels were lovely, especially the hotel in Azay-le-Rideau and the breakfasts were delicious! We especially the track on the last day as it was mainly on small roads and through some beautiful villages and unusual places to bike!
The maps were easy to follow and gps was easy to use once we got the hang of it.
Thanks for all your help organizing it we loved every moment!
Thanks again
5
Michelle
Can I say what a magnificent trip you provided to us in France!!
One town was better than the next.
You were so amazing to deal with and we thank you!
Michelle
United States
2018-11-06
Can I say what a magnificent trip you provided to us in France!!
One town was better than the next.
You were so amazing to deal with and we thank you!
5
Veridiana
The trip was excellent!!! We just loved it!! The bikes were excellent and the GSP took us to be the best places ever!
We laso loved the hotels in every city.
We are already planning the next trip :)
Thank you so much for everything
Veridiana
United States
2018-11-06
The trip was excellent!!! We just loved it!! The bikes were excellent and the GSP took us to be the best places ever!
We laso loved the hotels in every city.
We are already planning the next trip :)
Thank you so much for everything
5
Mike
We just finished our dinner at the hotel and it was delicious!! So far everything has been great!! I will try to send some pictures. Thank you so much for all your help.
Mike
Canada
2018-06-06
We just finished our dinner at the hotel and it was delicious!! So far everything has been great!! I will try to send some pictures. Thank you so much for all your help.
5
Bresler
We had a wonderful time and only experienced some poor weather on the second day of biking from Azay-le-Rideau to Chinon - strong headwinds and a bit of rain. The bikes were both good, and the routes on the backroads and along the river were very enjoyable. All the hotels were nice, but we definitely liked Le Grande Monarque and Anne D'Anjou the best.
I did not realize how quickly the GPS could use up the batteries so by the third day I was trying only to use the GPS when necessary and then turned it off.
Thanks so much for using your special powers to make the weather so good for us!
Best Regards,
Stew
Bresler
United States
2017-10-26
We had a wonderful time and only experienced some poor weather on the second day of biking from Azay-le-Rideau to Chinon - strong headwinds and a bit of rain. The bikes were both good, and the routes on the backroads and along the river were very enjoyable. All the hotels were nice, but we definitely liked Le Grande Monarque and Anne D'Anjou the best.
I did not realize how quickly the GPS could use up the batteries so by the third day I was trying only to use the GPS when necessary and then turned it off.
Thanks so much for using your special powers to make the weather so good for us!
Best Regards,
Stew
5
Svanborg
- bikes were fantastic and great to use
- Instructions and set up to get going were really good and the young man who made delivery (forgot his name but he had recently spent time in Australia) was very helpful and friendly
- little maps were good, although simple versions with less detail might be less confusing at times. However... we relied mainly on the GPS system which was great. We got lost or off track a few times but nothing major. The directions to accomodation in Chinon was the most tricky but we went to Google Maps in the end to find our way.
- The best (fantastic) meal we have had on our whole trip was at "Cote Cour Restaurant" in Azay-Le-Rideau which was included with our accomodation. We have since recommended this to other riders and travellers on our journey? Thank you!
- Accomodation each night was great and the breakfast was good (other than breakfast in Chinon which was a little ho hum and boring)
- The Chateaux at Tours was amazing and we had a great stay there
- not being familiar with the area, it would be great to have suggestions of good wineries to stop at that welcome riders, that are not buying wine, only tasting
Thanks for a wonderful experience.
Svanborg
United States
2017-10-26
- bikes were fantastic and great to use
- Instructions and set up to get going were really good and the young man who made delivery (forgot his name but he had recently spent time in Australia) was very helpful and friendly
- little maps were good, although simple versions with less detail might be less confusing at times. However... we relied mainly on the GPS system which was great. We got lost or off track a few times but nothing major. The directions to accomodation in Chinon was the most tricky but we went to Google Maps in the end to find our way.
- The best (fantastic) meal we have had on our whole trip was at "Cote Cour Restaurant" in Azay-Le-Rideau which was included with our accomodation. We have since recommended this to other riders and travellers on our journey? Thank you!
- Accomodation each night was great and the breakfast was good (other than breakfast in Chinon which was a little ho hum and boring)
- The Chateaux at Tours was amazing and we had a great stay there
- not being familiar with the area, it would be great to have suggestions of good wineries to stop at that welcome riders, that are not buying wine, only tasting
Thanks for a wonderful experience.
5
Graham
I thoroughly enjoyed the bike tour, thank you. The route was pretty and the distances were perfect for relaxing starts to the day's riding and visiting at least two chateaux a day.
Rapha gave me a clear induction and a good welcome. Fortunately I didn't have a puncture!
All the hotel staffs were welcoming and very helpful. The breakfasts at Hotel Grand Monarque and Hotel Plantagenet were especially good!
Many thanks.
Graham
United States
2017-10-25
I thoroughly enjoyed the bike tour, thank you. The route was pretty and the distances were perfect for relaxing starts to the day's riding and visiting at least two chateaux a day.
Rapha gave me a clear induction and a good welcome. Fortunately I didn't have a puncture!
All the hotel staffs were welcoming and very helpful. The breakfasts at Hotel Grand Monarque and Hotel Plantagenet were especially good!
Many thanks.
5
B. Schmidt
We had a truly memorable experience. The orientation was very thorough. PThe GPS was a life saver as were the hard copy maps. We rarely lost our way and in each case, it was our fault, and it typically required only a minor correction or brief backup. Our accommodations were superb with perhaps one exception. In the case of our second night, while the service and food were excellent overall, the hotel itself--the facility and the grounds--simply did not compare to the others. We will give to our friends, fellow riders and interested people our highest recommendation of Discover France.
Thank again for a marvelous adventure
B. Schmidt
Australia
2017-08-07
We had a truly memorable experience. The orientation was very thorough. PThe GPS was a life saver as were the hard copy maps. We rarely lost our way and in each case, it was our fault, and it typically required only a minor correction or brief backup. Our accommodations were superb with perhaps one exception. In the case of our second night, while the service and food were excellent overall, the hotel itself--the facility and the grounds--simply did not compare to the others. We will give to our friends, fellow riders and interested people our highest recommendation of Discover France.
Thank again for a marvelous adventure
5
Alex
The bikes where great with no technical problems at all, the hotels where very good. We really loved them all ,especially the one in the first night, breakfasts where perfect. Dinner in the first hotel was also great and unique.
The route planning is very good and we took the long way in the last two days because it was so beautiful and fun. Great roads and views...
riding with the GPS was easy and we almost didn't miss a turn..
I do recommend having much bigger maps of the area and roads in order to be more involved and aware of the plan and position..
The orientation was very good and Joe was very nice and reassuring as well
we took a lot of pictures along the way. The country side here is just amazing.
Thanks for all the help and advises i really think it was fantastic.
I am already thinking about the next trip...

Alex
United States
2017-07-13
The bikes where great with no technical problems at all, the hotels where very good. We really loved them all ,especially the one in the first night, breakfasts where perfect. Dinner in the first hotel was also great and unique.
The route planning is very good and we took the long way in the last two days because it was so beautiful and fun. Great roads and views...
riding with the GPS was easy and we almost didn't miss a turn..
I do recommend having much bigger maps of the area and roads in order to be more involved and aware of the plan and position..
The orientation was very good and Joe was very nice and reassuring as well
we took a lot of pictures along the way. The country side here is just amazing.
Thanks for all the help and advises i really think it was fantastic.
I am already thinking about the next trip...
5
N & F Bourget
We had a fabulous time and would do this type of trip again for sure. Raphael took good care of us and we felt safe knowing he had our backs in case of any issues. We liked the bikes and the hôtels were very nice. As for improvements, well we rode during a heat wave so air conditioning is the biggest top of mind comment, however, I know you cannot control that. [...]
Loved the itinerary- everything we saw was fabulous.
N & F Bourget
United States
2017-07-12
We had a fabulous time and would do this type of trip again for sure. Raphael took good care of us and we felt safe knowing he had our backs in case of any issues. We liked the bikes and the hôtels were very nice. As for improvements, well we rode during a heat wave so air conditioning is the biggest top of mind comment, however, I know you cannot control that. [...]
Loved the itinerary- everything we saw was fabulous.
5
Kirk
The Cannondale bikes were very good with added comfort that the tyres were a touch thicker. Thankfully there were no punctures.
Hotel Monarch was a friendly atmosphere and comfortable air conditioned room and centrally located. Both dinner and breakfast meals were satisfactory. People running it were very obliging.
All in all it was a very enjoyable trip with beautiful weather.
Kirk
Australia
2016-09-15
The Cannondale bikes were very good with added comfort that the tyres were a touch thicker. Thankfully there were no punctures.
Hotel Monarch was a friendly atmosphere and comfortable air conditioned room and centrally located. Both dinner and breakfast meals were satisfactory. People running it were very obliging.
All in all it was a very enjoyable trip with beautiful weather.
5
DIVEN
We had a blast. Everything went well. The bikes and GPS system worked well. We liked each of the hotels and the staffs were very friendly. We would definitely consider another bike adventure in the future.
Thanks,
Steve Diven
DIVEN
United States
2016-08-30
We had a blast. Everything went well. The bikes and GPS system worked well. We liked each of the hotels and the staffs were very friendly. We would definitely consider another bike adventure in the future.
Thanks,
Steve Diven
5
Ball
We really enjoyed cycling in the Loire valley and the cycling routes were what I was hoping for and gave a real variety of scenery. The hotels were all great and the dinners at Chateau de Beaulieu and Le Grand Monarque were definite highlights. I'd recommend staying an extra night at Chinon to anyone else going on this trip as we did. We were lucky to be there for Bastille Day and see an excellent firework show by the river that night, but sadly this was also the night of the tragedy at Nice.
The bikes were in excellent condition and we didn't have any problems with them. The GPS and maps were also easy to follow.
Thanks again for all your help in organising the trip.
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Ball
Australia
2016-08-12
We really enjoyed cycling in the Loire valley and the cycling routes were what I was hoping for and gave a real variety of scenery. The hotels were all great and the dinners at Chateau de Beaulieu and Le Grand Monarque were definite highlights. I'd recommend staying an extra night at Chinon to anyone else going on this trip as we did. We were lucky to be there for Bastille Day and see an excellent firework show by the river that night, but sadly this was also the night of the tragedy at Nice.
The bikes were in excellent condition and we didn't have any problems with them. The GPS and maps were also easy to follow.
Thanks again for all your help in organising the trip.
4
Cooper
Great experience biking the Loire Valley - the routes and villages selected were great, your gps was very easy to use and spot on, hotels were great. French
restaurants and wine are fantastic - we would typically ask the hotel person for restaurant recommendations and didn't have a bad meal the entire stay. We ran into some minor flooding but the gps made it easy to re-route. I guess it goes without saying that some knowledge of French language is helpful.
Cooper
United States
2016-06-22
Great experience biking the Loire Valley - the routes and villages selected were great, your gps was very easy to use and spot on, hotels were great. French
restaurants and wine are fantastic - we would typically ask the hotel person for restaurant recommendations and didn't have a bad meal the entire stay. We ran into some minor flooding but the gps made it easy to re-route. I guess it goes without saying that some knowledge of French language is helpful.
4
Bresnan 2
hank you guys so much, everything was so well organised: the bikes, the maps, the equipment, the hotels.
I just wanted to mention: my bike didn't have a bell and the drink bottle holder kept falling off. These may need to be looked at for the next user.
Thanks again for such a memourable holiday.
Bresnan 2
Australia
2016-06-21
hank you guys so much, everything was so well organised: the bikes, the maps, the equipment, the hotels.
I just wanted to mention: my bike didn't have a bell and the drink bottle holder kept falling off. These may need to be looked at for the next user.
Thanks again for such a memourable holiday.
5
Bresnan
Every part of the trip so far has been fantastic. The hotels are exceptional. The bikes and directions are 100%. The country side and Chateaus are very beautiful. Fantastic trip so far, thank you.
Bresnan
Australia
2016-06-20
Every part of the trip so far has been fantastic. The hotels are exceptional. The bikes and directions are 100%. The country side and Chateaus are very beautiful. Fantastic trip so far, thank you.
5
McKechnie
We have had a wonderful time. The bikes were terrific. I could not have done it without the assistance of the ebike which are beautifully equipped and maintained. The GPS and maps were very good and we had perfect weather for the majority of the time with only a couple of hours of lift rain really this morning
The accommodation has been great. They each have had their own personality. The staff have been welcoming and informative and the services and accommodation of a very high standard.
McKechnie
Australia
2016-06-20
We have had a wonderful time. The bikes were terrific. I could not have done it without the assistance of the ebike which are beautifully equipped and maintained. The GPS and maps were very good and we had perfect weather for the majority of the time with only a couple of hours of lift rain really this morning
The accommodation has been great. They each have had their own personality. The staff have been welcoming and informative and the services and accommodation of a very high standard.
5
Cat
Our bike trip was PERFECT. We had so much fun. Nobody passed out and it was all better than expected.
Each hotel was better than the last one, so no complaints there. The bikes were also great.
Really the only (tiny) feedback we have is that the GPS was frustrating, as it led us to the center of town instead of the hotel. By the end of the day we were desperate to get checked in and showered, so finding our way to the hotel from the middle of town (sometimes backtracking our route) was annoying.
Also we passed many vineyards along the way, but most of them weren't mentioned in the guidebook. It would have been easier to plan our visits if we knew details about which vineyards we'd be passing and when.
We posted some pics on our instagrams: @briannunnery and @catzter : )
Thanks again, we had such a lovely time and we're already anticipating our next bike trip!
Cat
United States
2016-05-31
Our bike trip was PERFECT. We had so much fun. Nobody passed out and it was all better than expected.
Each hotel was better than the last one, so no complaints there. The bikes were also great.
Really the only (tiny) feedback we have is that the GPS was frustrating, as it led us to the center of town instead of the hotel. By the end of the day we were desperate to get checked in and showered, so finding our way to the hotel from the middle of town (sometimes backtracking our route) was annoying.
Also we passed many vineyards along the way, but most of them weren't mentioned in the guidebook. It would have been easier to plan our visits if we knew details about which vineyards we'd be passing and when.
We posted some pics on our instagrams: @briannunnery and @catzter : )
Thanks again, we had such a lovely time and we're already anticipating our next bike trip!
5
Dale
The bicycles were perfect. They were durable and performed well. We has no need of the tolls for tires, etc. But we were glad they were there just in case. They electric assist bike for Stephanie was great. It provided the extra energy when need which seemed at the end of each day. As you remember I did not have an assist bike . While I survived next time I will have one also. The wind along the river and a couple hills were “tough” a couple times . The GPS and maps you provided were a must. Stevie and I were the only ones on our tour. The GPS seemed to “disappear once or twice and caused confusion” The maps helped. I also had Google Maps on my phone that helped. I think a clearer one line map might be help. We never got lost!! The hotels were good and provided everything we wanted. Breakfasts were nice with allow needed before we started the day. Dinners were also very good.
It was an adventure of a lifetime. France is so beautiful the rivers and farmlands.
Thank you for all your advice and help.
Dale
United States
2016-05-28
The bicycles were perfect. They were durable and performed well. We has no need of the tolls for tires, etc. But we were glad they were there just in case. They electric assist bike for Stephanie was great. It provided the extra energy when need which seemed at the end of each day. As you remember I did not have an assist bike . While I survived next time I will have one also. The wind along the river and a couple hills were “tough” a couple times . The GPS and maps you provided were a must. Stevie and I were the only ones on our tour. The GPS seemed to “disappear once or twice and caused confusion” The maps helped. I also had Google Maps on my phone that helped. I think a clearer one line map might be help. We never got lost!! The hotels were good and provided everything we wanted. Breakfasts were nice with allow needed before we started the day. Dinners were also very good.
It was an adventure of a lifetime. France is so beautiful the rivers and farmlands.
Thank you for all your advice and help.
5
Fred
Everything was great and we loved our trip. Bryce was a very nice guy and did an excellent job of orienting us. Equipment worked as advertised. Our hope is to do another trip with you in a few years. Thanks for all your help in making this a great trip for us.
Fred
United States
2016-05-16
Everything was great and we loved our trip. Bryce was a very nice guy and did an excellent job of orienting us. Equipment worked as advertised. Our hope is to do another trip with you in a few years. Thanks for all your help in making this a great trip for us.