Loire Cycling Weekend - Self Guided Holiday

Visit magnificent UNESCO chateaux
Excellent food and wine of the Loire region
Relaxed cycling along quiet country lanes and backroads

The Loire Valley is the perfect place for a long weekend break, exploring the charming chateaux and enjoying a wine tasting or two. The magnificent Loire Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it is the outstanding number of historic towns and villages and great architectural monuments that justify this accolade.

On this trip we visit, amongst others, the world famous Chateau de Chambord, which lies in an ocean of trees, and was originally built to reflect the king's power. In addition to these fine buildings, the Loire valley is famous for its wine, with flourishing vineyards (collectively known as vins de Touraine) set amidst the leafy forests, green valleys and charming villages - ideal for undemanding cycling.

The historic market town of Amboise, nestled under its fortified chateau, makes a perfect starting point from where we wind our way between the Loire and Cher rivers, visiting some of the prettiest chateaux along the way.

With the vast majority of the riding on easy tarmac roads with few hills this is not Le Tour de France but a pleasant pedal through one of the most beautiful corners of France.

Michelin Guide Listing

Michelin Guide writes: Cycling The Loire Valley (Feb 2011)

What makes this trip responsible?

Cycling is a fantastic way to travel while minimising your impact on the environment. Pedalling under your own steam we help the economy of the small villages and communities that we pass through and we use a local operator who employs local staff and uses small, family run hotels.

Take the Train

Here at Exodus we feel the need to offer our clients an alternative to air travel within Europe and to destinations where taking the train can be a viable alternative to flying.

Working in cooperation with Rail Europe, our sales team will be happy to reserve your seats and tickets can be booked 3 months prior right up until the day of departure, subject to availability. Suggested train times and further information can be found within the Trip Notes.

Itinerary

[detailed itinerary...]

Countries visited: France

Day 1

Start Amboise.

Day 2

Today is a day of spectacular chateaux, from Chenonceau in the morning to Montrichard and then onto Cheverny in the evening. It is an architectural feast!

Day 3

Cycle through the forests to the Chateau de Chambord, an extraordinary collection of turrets and spires, then onto the vibrant town of Blois.

Day 4

Follow the quiet banks of the Loire river all the way to Amboise. Most of the route is on a fantastic cycle path via the pretty chateau of Chaumont with it's spectacular gardens.

Day 5

End Amboise.

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Exodus images from LOIRE CYCLING WEEKEND

Note: Click on a thumbnail to enlarge.

Cyclists among poppies in the Loire Valley

Cyclists outside a Chateau close to the River Cher

Cyclists by the Chateau de Chambord, The Loire

The Chateau of Chenonceaux on the River Cher

Chateaux of the Loire