The Loire Valley, also known as “garden of France”, is a charming landscape of vineyards, flowers and rolling green hills. What's more, it is sure to enchant you with its more than two hundred castles and their wonderful surroundings.
On this tour, you will feel as though you are riding through a fairytale, as you find yourself in a picturesque countryside dotted with romantic châteaux, providing regular interludes to the cycling. While you marvel at this medieval splendour, don’t forget to sample the region’s sumptuous cuisine and famous wines, for a truly regal holiday experience!
Day 1: Blois
Make arrangements for your own travel to Blois. This city, situated on the banks of the lower river Loire between Orléans and Tours, is home to many impressive sights, such as the late-Gothic Blois Cathedral, which towers over the cobbled city centre.
Day 2: Blois - Amboise (45 km)
We saddle up for the start of a magical ride that today takes us along the River Loire as far as Amboise. Steeped in history, the atmospheric market town is celebrated for its chateau and the Clos-Luce manor, where Leonardo lived for three years (and died) and where some of his remarkable inventions are on display. The 19th-century turtle fountain (topped by a teddy bear figure), the Clock Tower and the 7-level Chinese Pagoda all add to the town's interest.
Day 3: Amboise - Chenoncheaux (35 km)
We start the day cycling through the magnificent Forest of Amboise and into fields of wheat and barley. Our destination is the Chateau de Chenonceau, its gardens fabulously landscaped against the meandering River Cher. What better way to enjoy today's exploration through verdant landscapes than astride our two-wheeled steeds. Expect some ups and downs shortly before Chenoncheaux (it is always possible to return by train).
Day 4: Amboise - Chitenay (45 km)
Fields of wheat and poppy meadows scattered with centennial oaks: welcome to the fertile farmlands of Touraine. The scenery is dotted with delightful hamlets such as Fougères and Vallières-les-Grandes, and towered by majestic castles - among them Fougères-sur-Bievre - all awaiting your discovery. The picturesque route takes us largely along quiet roads and the only challenging climb is a 1km stretch right at the start.
Day 5: Chitenay - Blois (40 km)
An easy ride takes you from Chitenay to charming Cellettes, a commune bathed by the placid River Beuvron, for a visit to the Renaissance Chateau de Beauregard. After traversing the enchanting Forest of Roussy, we come to the Loire and the town of Blois, which welcomes you with its elegant bridge, monuments, works of art and narrow alleyways tangled around its castle.
Day 6: Blois - Chambord (45 km)
Today's stage leads us to one of the most famous and majestic of all Loire castles: Chambord. Leaving the hotel, we head for Saint-Dye-sur-Loire, an ancient hamlet perched on the river. From here we continue southwards into the heart of the countryside until we reach the castle's surrounding forest.
Day 7: Blois
After breakfast end of tour
On this tour you cycle through the wonderful Loire Valley. This cycle trip is not very demanding, though sometimes there are some hilly sections. The daily stages are not very long always about 50 kms, mostly in the lowlands.
Total distance cycled: 210 km
Starting point of the cycling holiday: Blois
The itinerary is mainly on cycle paths or paved roads with a low volume of traffic. The route is devised for younger travellers offering easy cycling in mostly flat areas, with only few very short climbs and descents. Little effort required, suitable for most people.
Route Map (For guidance only):
Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.
Route Overview (For guidance only):
Brief itinerary: | Route Profile |
Day 2: Blois-Amboise (45 km, elevation up 80 m) | The only difficulties are the unpaved road in the forest of Blois in the morning and the final ascent to reach the hotel (1,2 km). Pay attention to the traffic when you arrive in Amboise. |
Day 3: Amboise-Chenoncheaux-Amboise (35 km, elevation up 70 m) | Pay attention to the traffic when you leave Amboise. The stage presents some climbs and descents before reaching Chenoncheaux. |
Day 4: Amboise-Chitenay (45 km, elevation up 110 m) | This stage runs along secondary roads almost without traffic. There is only one more difficult climb at the beginning (1 km long). |
Day 5: Chitenay-Blois (35 km, elevation up 100 m) | It is an easy stage. The only difficulty may be represented by the unpaved road in the forest of Roussy, where you can cycle quietly and without traffic. |
Day 6: Blois-Chambord-Blois (45 km, elevation up 80 m) | It is an easy stage, running mostly on cycle paths and secondary roads with little traffic. |
We recommend flying to Tours, Angers or one of the Paris region airports to reach the starting point of this cycling holiday.
Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.
We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Rail Europe for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.
Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0161 703 8161 for more specific travel advice.
You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.
Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
The Loire Valley Castles cycling holiday includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and local support if required.
Included Services (Subject to confirmation)
Not Included
About the bikes
Tough, stable and reliable, specially designed for you to saddle up for several days on the trot. Girolibero bikes are citybikes with an aluminium frame and kitted with responsive brakes and gears. Plus: mudguards, trip computers, comfort gel saddles, flat-palmed grips, Schwalbe Marathon anti-puncture tyres.
27-gear Unisex Citybike
A low entry unisex frame, ideal for an upright but relaxed riding position. The number of gears varies by destination. In Italy, for instance, standard bikes have 27 gears, while in northern Europe they are generally fitted with 7 gears and a pedal brake (although bikes with more gears and conventional breaks can sometimes be requested).
27-gear Men's Citybike
Citybike with men's frame. The design and number of gears varies from country to country. As with unisex bikes, for example, bikes for our Italian tours have 21/24 gears, while in northern Europe they are usually fitted with 7 gears and a pedal brake (although bikes with more gears and conventional breaks can sometimes be requested).
Electric Bike Upgrades
Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging and assistance up to 25 km/h with a range of around 120 km for each full charge depending on usage.
E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on +44 (0) 800 703 8161.
Bosch Active Line
Low-entry frame
Bosch batteries Power Packs of top safety and long life (36 V - 13,4 Ah Capacity - 500 Wh available power).
Bosch motor Active Line, located centrally (250 Watt, engine torque 50 Nm).
Gears: Shimano Deore 9-speed.
Range: approx 90 km (flat terrain, average speed).
When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Helmets are not provided and you will need to bring your own to use. We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday.
This cycling holiday stays in good quality hotels with private facilities carefully selected for their proximity to your cycle route and comfort. If you wish to know specific information about the hotel facilities, Wi-Fi and upgrades used on the holidays, please contact us on 0161 703 8161 for more information.
The hotel list below is subject to change and should be used as a guide. We will confirm the exact hotels prior to arrival. | |
Loire Valley Castles | Sample Hotel List |
Blois | Hotel Mercure Blois Centre |
Amboise | Novotel Amboise |
Chitenay | Auberge Du Centre Chitenay |
Blois | Hotel Mercure Blois Centre |
You will receive your final hotel list approximately 4 weeks prior to your arrival date detailing the hotels used on your cycling holiday. If you wish to know more about the hotels prior to completing a booking form, please contact our Customer Services team via email or by phone.
You can find out more about this cycling holiday by calling 0161 703 8161 to speak to one of the team.
Season | Dates | Category | Departure Days |
Season 1 | 19.03. - 25.04.21 | Category A/B | every FRI/SAT/SUN |
Season 2 | 26.04. - 23.06.21 | Category A/B | every FRI/SAT/SUN |
Season 3 | 24.06. - 05.09.21 | Category A/B | every FRI/SAT/SUN |
Season 2 | 06.09. - 03.10.21 | Category A/B | every FRI/SAT/SUN |
Cat | Room Type | Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3 |
Cat A | double room | £795.00 | £845.00 | £870.00 |
double room with extra bed - pp | £795.00 | £845.00 | £870.00 | |
single room | £1080.00 | £1130.00 | £1160.00 | |
Cat B | double room | £685.00 | £755.00 | £775.00 |
double room with extra bed - pp | £685.00 | £755.00 | £775.00 | |
single room | £960.00 | £1025.00 | £1055.00 |
Bicycle & equipment | Prices |
21-speed-bike | £95.00 |
E-bike | £190.00 |
Bike helmet rental | £10.00 |
Date From | Date To |
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19 March 2021 | 03 October 2021 |