Loire Valley Cycling

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 Trip Length
8 Days
 Trip Starts
Paris
 Trip Finishes
Paris
8 Day Loire Valley Cycling Itinerary (Explore)
Countries Explored: France
Trip Style
Cycling
Accommodation
Comfortable
Max. Group Size
16
Pace
Easy
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
LV

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Explore's 8 Day Loire Valley Cycling. Explore the magnificent chateaux of the Loire Valley. Cycle through pleasant towns and villages and visit medieval Amboise and elegant Azay-le-Rideau along the way.

Itinerary

Our trip begins at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Terminal 2E (CDG) at 12pm. If you would like to join the complimentary airport transfer today, the latest your flight can arrive is 11.30am. We then travel together by train (approx. 5hrs) to historic Chennonceaux, home to one of the most famous and beautiful chateau in France. There will be an introductory briefing and bike fitting late this afternoon. If time allows there will be a short optional 10km cycle ride along the Cher River, for those who wish.

If your flight arrives into Paris earlier in the day, you may have time to wait ahead of our group transfer to Chenonceaux. If you wish to drive to the start of the trip, please ask us for parking details. If you plan to make your own way to Chennonceaux please inform us so that we are not waiting for you at the airport.

Our group meeting point will be landside in Terminal 2E at the exit from baggage reclaim and customs controls.

If you have booked an optional e-bike, you will be required to pay the €250 or £250 cash deposit and sign an agreement of care upon receipt of the bike. Stay: Hotel Le Relais de Chenonceaux (Comfortable)

We start by exploring the area around Chenonceaux. We ride east to the town of Montrichard where we can taste the food and wine of the Cher valley, view the 17th century Château of Gué Péan, this is a gentle introductory ride. Following the local back roads through small, quiet villages, this afternoon gives time for an optional tour of the large Monmousseau wine caves.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 35 kilometres (Total 166 metres ascent and 166 meters descent) Stay: Hotel Le Relais de Chenonceaux (Comfortable) (B)

After the morning optional visit to the Château of Chenonceaux, we pedal through the village of Chissay into the countryside. We cycle though the tranquil Royal Hunting Forest and several pretty villages towards our overnight stop in Amboise. On arrival you may choose to visit Clos Lucé, the house where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last 3 years and now a museum dedicated to his life and work, or the Royal Château of Amboise on the banks of the Loire River.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 40 kilometres (Total 263 metres ascent and 263 meters descent) Stay: Hotel Chaptal (Comfortable) (B)

A longer days' cycling on cross country routes via St Martin-le-Beau and Nitray to Cormery, a town famous for its macaroons, and then along the River Indre, with stops at Veigné and Artennes-sur-Indre.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 54 kilometres (Total 387 metres ascent and 387 meters descent) Stay: Hotel de Biencourt (Comfortable) (B)

We spend the day in Azay, where we can visit the château and walk in its gardens along the banks of the River Indre. For those wanting to explore further, south-east of Azay is the troglodyte village of Villaines-les-Rochers, now famous for its willow basketweaving. Or north of Azay is Villandry, with its beautifully recreated Renaissance garden, one of the finest in the whole of France.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 38 kilometres (Total 214 metres ascent and 214 meters descent) Stay: Hotel de Biencourt (Comfortable) (B)

South-west of Azay, en-route to Chinon and situated between the banks of the Loire and the Forest of Chinon, is the Château d'Ussé - a truly romantic château and reputedly the setting for the fairy tale 'Sleeping Beauty'. On the north bank of the river are the vineyards of Bourgeuil, famous for their velvety red wines. A variety of routes to Chinon are possible, depending on your preferences.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 35 kilometres (Total 349 metres ascent and 349 meters descent) Stay: Hotel Le Lion D'Or (Comfortable) (B)

Today we suggest that you walk through the cobbled streets of the old town of Chinon and up to the Fortress, where Joan of Arc identified the Dauphin, or ride the circular cycle route to the southeast along the River Vienne through the famous Chinon vineyards. Alternatively, you can take a westerly direction with the option to visit Fontevraud Abbey, which houses the tombs of the Plantagenet Kings including Henry II and Richard the Lionheart.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 43 kilometres (Total 272 metres ascent and 272 meters descent). Stay: Hotel Le Lion D'Or (Comfortable) (B)

Departing Chinon early this morning, we travel up to 5 hours by train to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Terminal 2E (CDG) where we will arrive at about 2pm and this is where our trip ends. The earliest your flight can depart is 4pm.

Trip Inclusions

  • Explore the magnificent châteaux of the Loire Valley
  • Travel through the pleasant towns and villages of the Loire Valley
  • Visit medieval Amboise and elegant Azay-le-Rideau

  • Suitable for anyone who enjoys easy and relatively short rides on flat or gently undulating terrain. Ideal if you simply want to Explore a region by bike at a relaxed pace.

  • Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Group Cycling Holidays
Group Cycling Holidays

On a group cycling trip you can enjoy getting to know others & enjoy experiences together but you can still retain your independence. Read more

Explore Leaders
Explore Leaders

Explore's tour leaders, who will speak the local language and know the area, will look after you throughout your cycling holiday. Read more

Where do we Stay?
Where do we Stay?

The places Explore stay are every bit as important as the sights they visit and the things you do. Read more

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Brochure

Small Group Adventures

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Prices & Dates

There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.

Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Explore. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Explore. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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