Loire Valley Secret Castles
This Loire Valley Cycling Tour was created to take you to a part of the Loire region not covered by other trips. The flat-to-rolling terrain is perfect for cycling and is filled with castles, vineyards and colorful landscapes.
The tour starts in Joue les Tours and will take you to Azay le Rideau, Langeais, the Chateau de Villandry and Ussé, and the famous Fontevraud Abbey. You will also cycle through some important wine regions such as Chinon and Saumur for some wine tasting.
All the best of the Loire Valley by bicycle!
BIKE INCLUDED
Region : Loire
Duration : 5 Days / 4 Nights
Level :
or 
Type : On the way
Category : Bike
Trip : Self-guided
Activity : Hybrid
Dates : Starts any day
Click below to see hotels versions.
Day 1 : Arrive in Joue les Tours
Arrival in Saint Pierre des Corps-Tours TGV station, located only 1h from Paris by train. Transfer to your charming hotel in Joue les Tours or Tours on your own.
Accommodation : Chateau de Beaulieu - "Joue-les-Tours"
Accommodation : Hotel Colbert - "Tours"
Accommodation : Chateau de Beaulieu - "Joue-les-Tours"
Day 2 : Villandry to Azay le Rideau
Option 1 : 21 Miles - 34 Km
Option 2 : 29 Miles - 46 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 200 Meters
Elevation gain 2 : 250 Meters
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.
Accommodation : Le Grand Monarque - "Azay Le Rideau"
Accommodation : Hotel de Biencourt - "Azay Le Rideau"
Accommodation : Le Grand Monarque - "Azay Le Rideau"
Day 3 : Azay le Rideau to Chinon
Option 1 : 21 Miles - 34 Km
Option 2 : 28 Miles - 45 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 200 Meters
Elevation gain 2 : 256 Meters
Ride from Azay-le-Rideau to Chinon for a full day of cycling around castles. Your first stop is in Langeais, where the Chateau was the temporary lair of lawless armed bands during the Hundred Years War. Then the ride continues to the Chateau of Usse, a fairytale castle which is reputed to have inspired the story of Sleeping Beauty and a "must" for all Walt Disney's fans. You will then finish by riding to Chinon, home to a few interesting museums, where you can taste some of the local wine, made famous in the writings of Francois Rabelais.
Accommodation : Hotel Diderot - "Chinon"
Accommodation : Hotel Diderot - "Chinon"
Accommodation : Hotel Diderot - "Chinon"
Day 4 : Chinon to Saumur
Option 1 : 21 Miles - 34 Km
Option 2 : 29 Miles - 46 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 190 Meters
Elevation gain 2 : 380 Meters
Ride from Chinon to Saumur, home of a beautiful castle and delicious wine. You will start your ride to Saumur with a stop at the Abbey of Fontevraud, one of the most beautiful and largest abbeys in Europe. Then as you approach Saumur, you will begin to see the magnificent Chateau overlooking the Loire River and surrounded by endless vineyards.
Accommodation : Anne d'Anjou - "Saumur"
Accommodation : Le Londres - "Saumur"
Accommodation : Château de Verrières - "Saumur"
Day 5 : Departure day
Departure after a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel.
Click below to see hotels versions.
Day : 1
An 18th century manor house in the heart of the Loire valley with beautiful gardens. Jean-Pierre Lozay "Master chef of France" will introduce you to his gastronomic cuisine accompanied by a very large choice of excellent French vintage wines selected by Jean-Marc Lozay.
Day : 2
In the heart of the Valley of the Kings, where the Touraine is the most authentic, sits Le Grand Monarque. Located in Azay le Rideau, the hotel offers a charming stay and relaxation. During your stay you'll discover its enchantment, a peace of mind to yourself, a great comfort, and an art of living accompanied with genuine French cuisine.
Day : 3
Hotel Diderot is like arriving at a friend's house with the charm of an authentic dwelling built in the fifteenth century and modified in the eighteenth century. It's just a few hundred meters from the town center, the medieval quarter and the chateau. On the terrace, you will remember your visits to chateaux or vineyards, while drinking a glass of the Chinon wine praised by Francois Rabelais.
Day : 4
On the Loire river banks, near the historic center town, beneath the Castle which gave immortal fame to the " Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry", this private mansion house built in the 18th century still echoes with the ardors of restoration heroes and military romance ...A historically graded fa?_ade, a magnificient staircase crowned by a trompe-l'oeil celling, designs of Percier and Fontaine, Napoleon's architects, ... so many historical marks that you contemplate with emotion.
Day : 1
An 18th century manor house in the heart of the Loire valley with beautiful gardens. Jean-Pierre Lozay "Master chef of France" will introduce you to his gastronomic cuisine accompanied by a very large choice of excellent French vintage wines selected by Jean-Marc Lozay.
Day : 2
In the heart of the Valley of the Kings, where the Touraine is the most authentic, sits Le Grand Monarque. Located in Azay le Rideau, the hotel offers a charming stay and relaxation. During your stay you'll discover its enchantment, a peace of mind to yourself, a great comfort, and an art of living accompanied with genuine French cuisine.
Day : 3
Hotel Diderot is like arriving at a friend's house with the charm of an authentic dwelling built in the fifteenth century and modified in the eighteenth century. It's just a few hundred meters from the town center, the medieval quarter and the chateau. On the terrace, you will remember your visits to chateaux or vineyards, while drinking a glass of the Chinon wine praised by Francois Rabelais.
Day : 4
Peacefully set in a four acre park, right in the midst of Saumur, Verrieres allows you to discover the charm and History of the Loire Valley. Verrieres has nevertheless kept its private mansion atmosphere, with its authentic decoration and its period furniture.
Day : 1
In the heart of the city of Tours, hôtel Colbert gives you all the comfort of a country house hotel. Take advantage of our ideal location for your stay in Tours. We are right next to the business center, as well as the historic and touristic sites that the rich region of TOURS has to offer. hôtel Colbert is conveniently located on Colbert Street, the oldest street of Tours, with its numerous restaurants and adapted to all kind of budgets.Should you need a night walk or a morning jog, hôtel Colbert is at walking distance from the banks of the Loire or the inevitable plaza of Tours: “Place Plumereau.
Day : 2
Built rue Balzac in the village of Azay-le-Rideau, the hotel de Biencourt was during the 16th century a hotel named White Horse. It later became a place where the real tennis was played before becoming under the Second Empire a school for boys and the village first girls class.Ideally located in the heart of Azay-le-Rideau, just a stone's throw from the castle, you will find here the charm of the past with all the comfort you would expect when away from home. The courtyard garden is an oasis of peace to relax after a long day of discovering.
Day : 3
Hotel Diderot is like arriving at a friend's house with the charm of an authentic dwelling built in the fifteenth century and modified in the eighteenth century. It's just a few hundred meters from the town center, the medieval quarter and the chateau. On the terrace, you will remember your visits to chateaux or vineyards, while drinking a glass of the Chinon wine praised by Francois Rabelais.
Day : 4
Le Londres Hotel & Apartments is ideally located at the heart of the town centre, within walking distance of the château, pedestrian streets and restaurants. Le Londres has perpetuated the tradition of excellent entertaining since 1837. Since July 2005, Le Londres hotel has been undergoing sweeping renovation works. Inspired by its glorious past when it was the Grand hôtel de Londres, we have completely refurbished our hotel rooms with a strong desire to faithfully render the historical spirit of the place by choosing plush textures and noble materials (wood and iron works, tuffeau walls) whilst providing a strong dose of modern comfort in order to perpetuate the nice story that began 175 years ago!
Bikes available for your tour |
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The SCOTT SUB Sport 20 (or equivalent) features a sporty trekking geometry that suits trips of all distances. Equipped with a Shimano 30 speed transmission, integrated front and rear lights, a custom Racktime carrier and compatibility with Snap'it accessories, this bike is begging to go on an adventure. Available in men and women versions. Available sizes : Men's M, L, XL ; Women's S, L
Hybrid bike - Standard
SCOTT SUB SPORT 20 - ( or equivalent) INCLUDED 
The SCOTT EA-SUB Active 10 make getting around easier. With comfortable geometry, and ePowered by Bosch with a 400wh battery, those bikes are the ideal touring bike and are ready to provide many kilometers with no worries.
Your bike rental comes with 2 bags (1 Rear pannier + 1 front pannier) so you can easily carry your staff during your ride. Included with your bike rental : -Helmet -Lock -Hand pump -2 spare tubes -Rear pannier -Toolkit -Tire levers -Patch kit -1 souvenir water bottle -Pedals are included, flat by default or toe straps on request
Electric assist bike - Standard
SCOTT SUB TOUR ELECTRIC-RIDE 10 - ( or equivalent) with supplement (100€) 
The SCOTT Addict 20 was redesigned from the ground up with those longer days in mind. With new geometry that is less focused on racing and more on enduring, the Addict 20 will be your go to when you're looking to put the miles.
Saddle Bag Containing:
Road bike - Standard
SCOTT ADDICT 20 - ( or equivalent) with supplement (100€) 
The all-new TREK Emonda SLR 7 is the lightest model of the American Brand. Equipped with the Shimano Ultegra Di2 transmission, the gear shift is faster and more precise. Available sizes : XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL
Road bike - Performance
TREK EMONDA SLR7 - ( or equivalent) with supplement 
An exclusive geometry well adapted to the widest riding public. Our Tandem MTB will accompany you on long excursions or for more sporty rides. Traveling as a pair will become a new way for you to share your passion. Available in size : M, S Included with your bike rental :
Tandem bike - Premium
LAPIERRE TANDEM - ( or equivalent) with supplement 
The ORBEA MX 20 or 24 (or equivalent) is a truly functional bike for smaller riders who like a race inspired style. With this bike let your children ride totally safe.
Kid bike - Standard
ORBEA MX 20p or 24p - ( or equivalent) with supplement (-30€) |
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The characteristics of this bike are presented as an example and are not guaranteed Please note that any bike changes during the trip may incur an extra fee. |
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Hybrid bike - Standard
SCOTT SUB SPORT 20 - ( or equivalent)
INCLUDED
The SCOTT SUB Sport 20 (or equivalent) features a sporty trekking geometry that suits trips of all distances. Equipped with a Shimano 30 speed transmission, integrated front and rear lights, a custom Racktime carrier and compatibility with Snap'it accessories, this bike is begging to go on an adventure.
Available in men and women versions. Available sizes : Men's M, L, XL ; Women's S, L
- Your bike rental comes with 2 bags (1 Rear pannier + 1 front pannier) so you can easily carry your stuff during your ride.
- Included with your bike rental :
- Helmet
- Lock
- Hand pump
- 2 spare tubes
- Rear pannier
- Toolkit
- Tire levers
- Patch kit
- 1 souvenir water bottle
- Pedals are included, flat by default or toe straps on request
Accessories
INCLUDED
Roadbook for Discovery allows you to travel freely with all the information you need for your trip: Stages, points of interest, itineraries with interactive guidance, travel documents.
All in offline mode, you download your file before leaving, then you have all the information necessary for your trip. (Phone not provided).
INCLUDED
Our roadbooks are complete packages of information that will help you to guide yourself through the itinerary that we have planned and laid out. We have invested significant time and incorporated the feedback of our customers over many years (since 1997!) to make our roadbooks even better. Our roadbooks include: color maps, highlighted routes, touristic information, orientation points to reach hotels, and easy to follow step by step directions (cue-sheets). Please note that for custom itineraries you will not have cue sheets. Only maps and GPS routes.
INCLUDED
Our Travelbooks are complete packages of information that will help you to guide yourself through the itinerary that we have planned and laid out. You will find information about the hotels, itinerary, regional informations...
Option 1: 21 Miles - 34 Km Elevation gain 1 : 200 Meters
Option 2: 29 Miles - 46 Km Elevation gain 2 : 250 Meters
Option 1: 21 Miles - 34 Km Elevation gain 1 : 200 Meters
Option 2: 28 Miles - 45 Km Elevation gain 2 : 256 Meters
Option 1: 21 Miles - 34 Km Elevation gain 1 : 190 Meters
Option 2: 29 Miles - 46 Km Elevation gain 2 : 380 Meters
Included
- 4 nights of accommodation in superior hotels of charm with private shower and/or bath
- Daily breakfast at each hotel, 2 dinners included (Standard & Upgraded), no dinner included with the Basic package.
- Hybrid bike rental included
- Orientation in person with our local guide
- Detailed ROAD BOOK, including details maps, touristic information, step by step itinerary and cue sheets
Guidance Application (phone not provided)
- All luggage transfers
- Comprehensive trip literature
- Technical and emergency support available at all times
What's not included
- Airfare to and from the trip
- Lodging before and after the trip
- Drinks
- Some meals are not included in each destination, which gives you the opportunity to explore regional cuisine on your own. You will find all information needed with our team support in your roadbook.
Informations & Recommendations
Arrival city is Tours/Joue les Tours, which accessible via train from Paris Montparnasse to St Pierre des Corps. 1hour 10 min by TGV; return from Saumur to Montparnasse, 2 hours 20min.
Tour rates
Contact our tour consultants for more information and an exact rate based upon your travel dates.
| Price from* & per person | Double occupancy | Single supplement (traveling with a group) | Solo traveler (traveling alone) |
| Basic | 760 € | 120 € | 1100 € |
| Standard | 940 € | 160 € | 1390 € |
| Upgraded | 1290 € | 330 € | 1900 € |
Accessories
| Accessories | |
| Guidance Application | Included |
| Biking Roadbook | Included |
| Travelbook | Included |
Bikes available
| Bikes available | Options per person |
| Hybrid Bike Rental | |
| Standard | Included |
| Road Bike Rental | |
| Standard | 100 € |
| Premium | 210 € |
| Electric assist bike | |
| Standard | 100 € |
| Kid Bike Rental | |
| Standard | -30 € |
| Tandem Bike Rental | |
| Standard | 25 € |
| I bring my bike | Discount of -90€ if you ride with your own bicycle. |
Please note that any bike changes during the trip may incur an extra fee.
Services available
| Services available | |
| Cancelation insurance | 6% |
| Luggage transfer | |
| On a 2-person basis | 155 €/pers |
United States
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!
United States
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.
United States
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.
United States
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!
United States
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
United States
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!
United States
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
Canada
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.
United States
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
United States
- 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.
United States
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.
Australia
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
Alex
United States
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...
United States
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.
Australia
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.
United States
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
Ball
Australia
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.
United States
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.
Australia
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.
Australia
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.
Australia
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.
United States
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!
United States
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.
United States
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.
Casual : Beginners and occasional cyclists. Easiest tours we provide. Typically flatter terrain, no notable hills or anything of a steep gradient.
Hobby : Weekend riders. People with some cycling experience, rolling countryside, possible short climbs.
Active : Cyclists with experience on longer rides. Hilly terrain with reasonable amount of climbs and difficulty
Pro : Avid cyclists, ride every week and love long and challenging rides. Dream on riding the Tour de France cols.
Comparison chart : (15km/hrs)
| Average dist (miles) | Average dist (km) | Elevation max/day (m) | Average hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casual |
< 28 | < 45 | < 300m | 3-4 |
| Hobby |
18 - 35 | 30 - 55 | 300-550m | 3-5 |
| Active |
30 - 60 | 50 - 100 | 550-1000m | 4-6 |
| Pro |
> 60 | > 100 | > 1000m | > 5 |
Some of our tours can be in 2 different level, we have itinerary for both versions
Casual : Beginners and occasional hikers. Typically flatter terrain with just rolling hills.
Hobby : Weekend hikers. People with some experience hiking around trails.
Active : Hikers with experience on longer hikes. Hilly terrain with some steep gradients.
Pro : Randonneurs avides, randonnée chaque semaine et adore les longues et difficiles randonnées.
Comparison chart : (4km/hrs)
| Average dist (miles) | Average dist (km) | Elevation max/day (m) | Average hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casual |
< 6 | < 10 | < 150m | 2.5 |
| Hobby |
6 - 9 | 10 - 15 | 150-300m | 25-375 |
| Active |
9 - 11 | 11 - 18 | 300-450m | 3.75 - 4.5 |
| Pro |
> 11 | > 18 | > 450m | 4.5-6 |
Some of our tours can be in 2 different level, we have itinerary for both versions