Loire Valley Wine Tour

Take the train to **SAINT PIERRE DES CORPS TGV station, located only 1h from Paris by train. Transfer on your own by taxi to Amboise and settle at your charming hotel. Please note that if you arrive to the Amboise train station, there are very few taxis and most of the hotels are not walking distance. (If you are staying at Hotel la Breche, you have the option to take the train to the Amboise station and walk to your hotel).

If you arrive early enough, take the time to visit the nearby Château of Clos Lucé or the Royal Chateau of Amboise.The Chateau of Clos Lucé is accessible with a short walk outside the main center of Amboise (well signed), best known as being the house where Leonardo da Vinci was invited to live by King Francois I - Leonardo lived here from 1516 to the time of his death in 1519.

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 Medicis. The castle hides several pieces of historical interest, furniture and tapestries. For the long option you will continue on to Montrichard, La Genaudière and St. Regle before returning to Amboise.

Distances : 36 or 53 km (21 or 32 mi).

Elevation : 279 or 415 m.

Wine Tasting

Wine tasting at Les Caves Ambacia (Duhard) - Amboise.

Amboise to Tours and orienteering around the city ! Following bike paths out of Amboise, you will first ride through the vineyards of Montlouis, a famous white wine appellation. You will cross the bridge to discover the vineyards of Vouvray, well-known for its white sparkling wine, Then, an easy and pleasant ride will take you to the city of Tours, a very bike friendly city. You can discover the old city center in "le vieux tours" and the famous "place plumereau" full of pubs and restaurants in old colombage houses.

Distance : 34 Km (21 mi).

Elevation : 290 m.

Wine tasting

Wine tasting at Chateau Gaudrelle - Rochecorbon.

Activity : Cooking class

Join us at Tours à Table for a cooking class. This activity lasts 02h00 for the class and 1h00 for the tasting. The aim of this activity is to share a convivial and gourmet moment around French gastronomy. You'll be offered a choice of French recipes to prepare a starter, main course and dessert.

Going first to Savonnieres and then to the famous gardens of Villandry, which were designed to be in complete harmony with the Renaissance architecture of the chateau. You will ride alongside the Cher and Loire Rivers and along the Loire a Velo route. Then you will continue to Azay le Rideau, your final destination for today, famous for its Chateau on the Indre River, originally built in the Middle Ages to protect the passage from the road going from Tours to Chinon. The long option gives you the opportunity to visit Sache, chateau of the famous writer Balzac.

Distances : 34 or 46 Km (21 or 28 mi)

Elevation : 200 or 250 m

Wine tasting at the Chateau de l'Aulée

Visit the most modern winery of the Loire Valley and learn everything about wine growing.

Your ride continues west and to the most famous wine area of the Loire Valley : Chinon. First you will go through the village of “vannerie” (weaved basketry) and through one of the most beautiful village of France : Crissay sur Mance. You then enter in the territory of Chinon vineyards. You will be surrounded by vineyards. The longer riding option travels through the charming village of l’île Bouchard. Your destination of the day brings you to Chinon. Do not miss the fortress of Chinon, that hovers above the town. The story says that this is where Jeanne of Arc met the king to raise an army against England. Chinon is a charming town.

Distances : 41 or 52 (25 or 31 mi)

Elevation : 171m or 326m

Wine tasting

Wine tasting at Domaine de Noire - Chinon.

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. Not to miss is the “Tuffaut” troglodytic site (lime stone caves) and the picturesque Turquant, and its unique village of workshops of local artists and craftmen located within the limestone caves. Then as you approach Saumur, you will begin to see the magnificent Chateau overlooking the Loire River and surrounded by endless vineyards.

Distances : 34 or 46 Km (21 or 29 mi).

Elevation : 250 or 380m

Wine tasting - Chateau de Parnay

Wine tasting at Chateau de Parnay - Parnay.

You can take your time getting started in the morning, enjoy breakfast and depart at your leisure. (Depart on your own). Trains are available from Saumur to Paris or to other destinations.