The Chateaux de la Loire by bike from Blois to Saumur
Pricing informations
Tour description
The Chateaux de la Loire by bike from Blois to Saumur. The best of Loire Valley cycling holiday from Blois to Saumur
This very nice bike road along the Loire, the last wild river in Europe, will take you to meet the most famous “chateaux de la Loire” by bike: Castles of Chambord, Chenonceau, Blois or even Amboise and Cheverny. During this bike tour, you will also discover the most famous vineyards of the Loire Valley, such as Chinon, Montlouis and naturally Saumur. Gentle daily bike rides between exceptional historical heritage, wine heritage and enchanting natural landscapes. The Loire Valley also received the designation of “Garden of France” in the 15th century, justified at the time by the art and the sweetness of life of this region and which will promote then for a long time, the development of the art of gardens omnipresent in the parks of the sumptuous castles.Cycling holidays on the central section of the famous “Loire à Velo”, the oldest cycling route in France, 800 km long. We invite you to discover it from Blois, capital of Loir et Cher, via Tours in Indre et Loire, to Saumur in Maine et Loire. You will travel through these 3 essential regions on cycle paths and greenways. Mainly along the Loire river, this cycle trip nevertheless presents some essential detours along three other rivers, the Cher river spanned by the castle of Chenonceau, the Indre river whose waters surround the castle of Azay-le-Rideau and finally the Vienne river, dominated by the royal fortress of Chinon on its rocky outcrop.As an option in our offer, we advise you to book the “Châteaux Pack” which opens the doors to the Parks, Gardens and Châteaux all along the route.
- Enjoy the stopover towns: Blois, Amboise, Tours, Saumur
- The vineyards of Montlouis, Chinon and Saumur-Champigny
- The emblematic castle of Chambord, Amboise or Chenonceaux …
- and the Jardins de Villandry!
Program
Discover the charming town of Blois, as you stroll along its paved streets punctuated with staircases, and the château.
Leave the charming town of Blois following the Loire river and its cycling paths to Dyé sur Loire before proceeding through the beautiful forest of Domain de Chambord where is settled the château. A true masterpiece of French Renaissance style boasting no less than 440 rooms and built during the reign of François I. Continue to the Château de Cheverny, remarkable for its sumptuously furnished apartments, which gave Hergé the inspiration for Captain Haddock’s Marlinspike.
Cross the vineyards of Cheverny to reach the Château de Fougères-sur-Bièvre, a small fortified castle which perfectly illustrates the local building arts of the 15th century. Then cycle towards the Loire river banks in Chaumont-sur-Loire, whose 15th-century château proudly dominates the town and the river. Don’t miss the extraordinary “Festival des Jardins” garden festival between late May and mid-October! Continue on the ‘Loire à Vélo’ cycling tracks before arriving at the charming town of Amboise with its royal château, where the greatest kings of France lived.
Ride to the famous Château de Chenonceau, straddling the Cher river, and which was the scene of a famous rivalry in French history: that of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. Then cross the vineyards of Montlouis following the “Loire à Vélo” cycling tracks and discover the numerous cellars producing the region’s famous sweet white and sparkling wines. You reach the city of Tours to discover the old neighbourhood with its typical half-timbered houses.
Reach Villandry with its famous “French style” Gardens, designed in terraces, then the château of Saché, house of the famous novelist Honoré de Balzac. Departure towards Langeais and its 15th century château built as a fortress. Then ride towards the chateau of Ussé, whose many turrets, pinnacles and dormer windows inspired Perrault to write his famous fairytale ‘Sleeping Beauty’. Stay in the beautiful medieval city of Chinon, settled on the Vienne river and famous for its red wine.
Before leaving Chinon, visit on of the numerous cellars where this famous red wine is matured. Then, continue towards the abbey of Fontevraud, one of Europe’s largest remaining monastic complexes where the tombs of the Plantagenet kings can be found, and finally reach the lovely town of Saumur.
Departure during the day
Practical details
Luggages
Documents
Bikes
Accomodations
Support
We take care of transporting your luggage at each change of accommodation so that you travel light and take full advantage of your daily hike.
You leave your luggage at the reception of your accommodation before your departure .
At the end of the afternoon, you will find them at the reception of your new accommodation or directly in your room.
Luggage accepted per person: 1 suitcase or travel bag (20 kg maximum).
We remind you that rental bicycles are equipped with saddlebags to be used to transport the things you deem useful for the day
Your travel record corresponds to the documents or files you receive before your trip (usually a month before) and upon arrival at the first accommodation.
It includes:
- A welcome letter with the main practical information:
- The time slot for baggage transport
- Details of the delivery and collection of bikes from rental if necessary
- Your local contact and telephone number (s) in case of emergency
- Any additional information
- The logbook travel package including map with the route (to the appropriate scale) and directional, tourist and practical indications
- The necessary voucher (s) to be given to the service provider (s) (only if necessary!)
On request and depending on the circuits:
- The “Evazio” application to download from smartphone for “GPS” navigation with visual guidance (reading of the track on the your smartphone) and / or oral.
- The application also contains practical and tourist information. Once the trip has been downloaded, no internet connection is necessary
- The loan of a GPS device with the pre-recorded tracks
- Sends GPX tracks of each stage to be used with your own navigation support
On this circuit, we suggest that you provide you with the choice and by reservation:
- A hybrid bike suitable for hiking and for the route
- An electric bike adapted to the route
With its equipment:
- 1 rear bag
- 1 handlebar bag
- 1 set of repair
- 1 anti-theft device
- 1 charger (for the electric bike)
For the youngest, we can offer depending on age and size
- A child’s bike
- A baby seat
- A trailer
- A follow-up bike
The bike is delivered to the first accommodation and is adjusted to your size.
At the end of the tour, the bike must be left at the last accommodation with its equipment. We will take care of their recovery.
This tour is available in a comfort, superior or luxury version.
The type of accommodation is classified into 3 ranges:
Comfort : The circuit mainly presents hotels classified 2 and 3 stars (or equivalent) and rooms of host.
Superior : The circuit mainly presents hotels classified 3 and 4 stars (or equivalent) and charming guest rooms.
Luxury : The circuit mainly presents 4 and 5 star hotels or equivalent
Our support team remains available for the duration of your trip.
