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Cycling The Chateaux Of The Loire - Short Break

6 days

from

$1,649 USD

incl. taxes

View Dates & Prices

Cycling

Suitable for:

Age 12+

Activity level:

Leisurely / Moderate

Trip code:

C05LO

Way to Travel:

Self-Guided Holidays

Activity:

Self-Guided Cycling

Min age:

This tour combines pleasant cycling with culture and places of interest. Discover pretty wine villages and charming towns in the Loire Valley.

This gentle and unhurried cycling holiday follows a triangular route through the heart of the great Loire Valley. Highlights include the majestic chateaux of Amboise and Chambord, and the rich Renaissance splendour of Chenonceau. You'll pass vineyards, sunflowers fields and pretty, sleepy villages, before pedalling gently along shady riverbanks and out through open countryside abundant with wildlife.

On each cycling day, you'll have the opportunity to taste dozens of different wines - stopping at big wineries or village vineyards as the mood takes you - in a wine region more varied and diverse than any other in the world.

Highlights

Perfect for cycling, traffic-free lanes, majestic forests, vineyards, poppies and sunflowers fields
Splendour of the 'jewel' in the Loire crown, the Renaissance Chateau de Chenonceau and Chambord the largest chateau in the Loire Valley.
Masses of history and culture: pretty wine villages, charming towns including royal Blois, more chateaux than you could imagine.

Key information

5 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation in 3 star hotels
Continental breakfasts daily
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Route directions and maps

Countries visited: Adventure Holidays in France

What's included

All continental breakfasts
5 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation
Route directions and maps
Transfers for Flight inclusive
Luggage transfers between hotels
Local bike hire

What's not included

Travel insurance
Visas and vaccinations
Single accommodation (available on request, compulsory supplement)
Transfers for Land only (available on request at additional cost)

Call for general departures:

1 844 227 9087

Call for private group trips:

1 844 227 9087

Live Chat >

Request a Brochure >

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Days of Cycling

Terrain:

The cylcing is relaxed on traffic free lanes through villages, forests and along riverbanks.

Day by day breakdown

Day 2 42.0km/26.0miles

Day 3 44.0km/27.0miles

Day 4 54.0km/33.0miles

Day 5 50.0km/31.0miles

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Itinerary

Expand all

Blois

Day 1

Arrival in Blois

Explore the cobbled streets, arcaded squares and impressive chateau of this pretty riverside town before dinner.
You stay at Hotel Blois Chateau
Day 2

Blois to Amboise

Cycle through nice tiny villages to Chaumont-sur-Loire and its spectacular chateau, which hosts the International Garden Festival (May-Oct). Then continue on the 'Loire a Velo' cycling tracks before arriving at the charming town of Amboise where the greatest Kings of France lived.
You stay at Hotel Bellevue

Meals included: Breakfast
Day 3

Amboise to Chenonceaux

Gentle pedalling through the vineyards of Montlouis sur Loire will bring you to the superb Chateau de Chenonceau with its famous arches majestically spanning the river. Described by Flaubert as floating 'on air and water', it's arguably the most beautiful of all the Loire landmarks. This chateau was the scene of a famous rivalry in French history: that of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici.

Enjoy a walk in the heart of the Diane de Poitiers's garden, then the Catherine de Medici's one. Take a breath, under the shadow of one of the huge park trees, at the rhythm of the river murmur which will tell you stories about these 2 rival women.
You stay at the Hotel La Roseraie

Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4

Chenonceaux to Chitenay

Ride along the peaceful riverbanks of the Cher to the medieval town of Montrichard. Leaving the Cher Valley and enter the vineyards of Touraine via the Château de Fougères-sur-Bièvre a small fortified castle which perfectly illustrates the local building arts of the 15th century.
You stay at the Auberge du Centre

Meals included: Breakfast
Day 5

Chitenay to Blois

Discover the famous sumptuously furnished Chateau of Cheverny. Inhabited by the same family for over 6 centuries, the Chateau, its gardens, its labyrinth and its Tintin exhibition will give you an unforgettable experience. Then, continue to the prestigious and largest Chateau de Chambord, a real masterpiece of French Renaissance period with its 440 rooms, built during the reign of Francis the 1st. Then, ride along the Loire riverbank before arriving in Blois.
You stay at the Hotel Blois Chateau

Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6

Leave Blois

Depart Blois after breakfast.

Meals included: Breakfast

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Show map

shutterstock_735390196_-_amboise_chateau

shutterstock_649675426_rooves_of_medieval_amboise

shutterstock_171633995_-_chateau_de_chaumont_with_flowers_and_gardens

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shutterstock_111668573_chateau_de_chenonceau

shutterstock_595780703_garden_at_chenonceau

shutterstock_1421455487_chambord_on_the_river

shutterstock_127168445_chateau_de_cheverny

shutterstock_688345978_loire_poppy_field

Essential Info

Visas

France

No visa required for British passport holders.

For further Brexit travel advice please visit https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/brexit-advice-for-travellers

Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required.

Vaccinations

France

There are no specific health risks.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts are included

The Loire prides itself on it's cuisine. It is refined country cooking, not heavy but rich in flavours and textures, drawing on the great garden of the Loire valley. Fruit and vegetables abound. Asparagus, artichokes, button mushrooms, cherries and strawberries from the Loire are transported to kitchens throughout France, which demonstrates the quality of the produce. These all provide delicious accompaniments to the duck, venison and wild boar dishes (all hunted locally) and served in sauces using wines from the local vineyards. Fish also features in abundance. With three wide, gently flowing rivers passing through the region, freshwater fish appear on most menus. 'Sandre' (pikeperch) and breme (bream) are especially popular and are usually served in a beurre blanc sauce - made with shallots, butter, dry white wine and vinegar. The majority of the cheese found in the region is goat's cheese. We suggest trying Selles-sur-Cher from the neighbouring Blesois region. Desserts are often based on the fruit from the local orchards. They include 'tarte tatin', a yummy caramelised upside-down apple pie - the invention of two absent-minded sisters in their attempt to salvage a dessert they had dropped on the floor.

The Loire is undoubtedly one of Europe's finest wine producing regions with many of the separate wine areas producing red, white, rose and sparkling wines. Distinctive whites include Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume, Vouvray and Muscadet; for reds, try Chinin, Bourgueil and Saumur. Anjou is by far the most popular rose.

Weather

The Loire valley is blessed with fantastic weather for cycling. The spring and autumn seasons experience mild climates with temperatures averaging 16-20 degrees Celsius. The summers are generally warmer with temperatures reaching the high 20s. There is always the chance of rain so it is best to be prepared for this with a waterproof layer, it is also good to have a warmer layer for the early mornings and evenings.

Is this trip for you?

Cycling Conditions
Classification: Self-Guided
Average daily distance: 47.5km (29.5 miles).
No. of days cycling: 4
Terrain and route: This gentle and unhurried cycling holiday follows a triangular route through the heart of the great Loire Valley.

Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to cycle independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can cycle at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next. Your bikes will be delivered to the start hotel, all set up relevant to your height and ready to go. Our local agent will be on call throughout the trip should you need.

It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked. Where possible we stick to cycle tracks and quiet roads to make the journeys as pleasant as possible, however, on occasion we have to use busier routes into larger towns and cities.

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local agent is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.

Call for general departures:

1 844 227 9087

Call for private group trips:

1 844 227 9087

Live Chat >

Request a Brochure >

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Accommodation

Hotels

HOTEL BLOIS CHATEAU, BLOIS
Blois Château is located 5 minutes from Blois city centre and 150 m from Blois SNCF train station. It offers free WiFi and a free garage for motorbikes and bicycles. Each air-conditioned rooms is equipped with tea and coffee making facilities, satellite TV and a fully equipped private bathroom. All rooms have access to the executive lounge. Blois Château has a 24-hour front desk service.

HOTEL BELLEVUE, AMBOISE
Situated in the centre of Amboise in the Centre region, this hotel is just 50 m from Château d’Amboise. It offers a terrace and a lounge bar and restaurant. Each of the soundproofed guest rooms at Hotel Bellevue is equipped with a flat-screen TV and free WiFi access. They also include a private bathroom with a shower or a bathtub. Breakfast including fresh fruit, bread and cakes is served in the spacious breakfast room or on the terrace on sunny mornings. Eggs, bacon and sausages are also provided. Drinks can be enjoyed in the hotel’s bar.

HOTEL LA ROSERAIE, CHENONCEAUX
Ideally situated in the centre of Chenonceaux and just a 400m from the chateau, the Hotel La Roseraie, built in the 18th century offers comfortable rooms and a wonderful place to relax after a day walking or sightseeing with its garden and pool.

AUBERGE DU CENTRE, CHITENAY
Tucked away in the elegant little village of Chitenay is the lovely ivy-clad Auberge du Centre, run by the charming Martinet family. Dinner is served either in the pretty dining room, or on the terrace.
The hotel has a pleasant terrace overlooking its pretty gardens and swimming pool (pool towels are provided; ask at reception), which are a real treat on a summer's day, as well as an attractive sitting area inside, complete with wooden beams and comfy chairs.
Access to the Spa area is payable locally at 15€ per person per day. Access is free to those staying in a 'Balneo' room.