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Cycling the Chateaux of the Loire – Upgraded Short

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Cycling the Chateaux of the Loire - Upgraded Short

Activity Level

Easy & Moderate

Activity

Cycling

Overview

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

This short break, 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.

Enjoy the sweet and peaceful ‘Art de Vivre’ in boutique hotels and relax with a glass of local wine by the pool.

Key Information

Trip Code: C05LX
Ways to Travel: Self-Guided Holidays
Countries: France

What's Included

All continental breakfasts
Route directions and maps
Transfers for Flight inclusive
Luggage transfers between hotels
High Quality Bikes

4 days of Cycling

Terrain:

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

Day 2: 42 km / 26.1 miles
Day 3: 44 km / 27.3 miles
Day 4: 54 km / 33.6 miles
Day 5: 50 km / 31.1 miles

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.
Enjoy the selected charming 4* hotel accommodations for an unforgettable journey.

Itinerary

First Destination: Blois
Next Destination: Blois

Meals included:None

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Blois
Next Destination: Blois

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

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.

Visit the flamboyant Royal Palace and the elegant Clos Luce, a C15 manor house where Leonardo da Vinci lived and worked for the last few years of his life. His workshops house 40 giant models of some of his most spectacular creations, the first plane, helicopter and tank, and the beautifully landscaped gardens bring life to his botanical drawings and geographical designs.
You stay at Hotel Charme Rabelaisien

Meals included:Breakfast

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 Bon Laboureur

Meals included:Breakfast

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 Chateau de Fougeres-sur-Bievre a small fortified castle which perfectly illustrates the local building arts of the 15th century.

Then, 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.
You stay at Relais des 3 chateaux

Meals included:Breakfast

Cycle to the prestigious and largest Chateau de Chambord, a real masterpiece of French Renaissance period with its 440 rooms. Dreamed up by Francois I to cement his power in stone, the Chateau de Chambord is an unparalleled architectural exploit. Among the numerous innovations in Chambord, the double helix staircase is without a doubt one of the most remarkable. This staircase, which allows for two people to walk without crossing paths, has always fascinated visitors.

Then, ride along the Loire riverbank before arriving in Blois.
You stay at the Hotel Mercure

Possibility to upgrade your last night in Blois in a 5* hotel with a gastronomic dining experience

Meals included:Breakfast

Depart Blois after breakfast.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, deposit-only payments, and full ATOL protection available.

Call us on 0203 733 5948

Your Group, Your Adventure

Want to choose your travel companions? Gather your family and friends and let us create a Private Adventure just for you.

View Details

Accommodation

Hotels

HOTEL MERCURE, BLOIS
Guests have free access to the fitness centre and wellness area, including indoor heated pool, a sauna, steam room and hot tub. Free WiFi is available in all hotel’s areas.
All the air-conditioned rooms have a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and Wi-Fi access. A seating area and a courtesy tray with tea and coffee are also provided.
Buffet breakfast is served every morning. Guests can have drinks and cocktails at the Wine Not? hotel bar. ‘Le Quai’, the hotel restaurant, features regional cuisine made from seasonal products.

Room Upgrade

Possibility to upgrade your last night in Blois in a 5* hotel with a gastronomic dining experience

HOTEL AU CHARME RABELAISIEN, AMBOISE
Hotel Au Charme Rabelaisien is a charming 18th-century hotel nestled in the historical heart of the city of Amboise. Make sure you also take the time to relax in the heated, outdoor swimming pool or on the sun terrace. The spacious rooms with antique furniture are a haven of tranquility and provide a great feeling of relaxation in a warm atmosphere. Both rooms are equipped with high-standard bathrooms (jet showers, bathtubs, etc.) A wellness area with hot tub, sauna and fitness room is also available at the property. Free WiFi is provided throughout.

AUBERGE DU BON LABOUREUR, CHENONCEAUX
This 18th-century country inn is located in the centre of Chenonceaux, just 500 m from the Castle of Chenonceau. It offers an heated outdoor swimming pool during summer and winter and Scandinavian baths. Guest rooms are elegantly decorated and are equipped with air conditioning and a TV with satellite channels. Each room has a private bathroom including bathrobes and slippers. Free Wi-Fi is available. You can stroll around the peaceful garden setting before dining in the gourmet restaurant. Auberge du Bon Laboureur also features a bar with an extensive wine list and a buffet breakfast is served every morning, which can also be enjoyed in the guest’s room.

RELAIS DES 3 CHATEAUX, CHEVERNY
Founded in 1850 to welcome voyagers travelling on foot, by horse and by car. The ancient stables are still visible in the current restaurant area, they could shelter up to 100 saddle and draught horses.
It soon became one of the main relay stops between Blois and Romorantin. In order to perpetuate the tradition, the restaurant has kept the original name of Les Trois Marchands : The three Merchands. An additional curiosity about the history of this building: The part that adjoins the church was a former convent.
Located in the heart of Cour-Cheverny, is now a days engaged both in keeping up its history and in preserving its conviviality spirit. This charming four stars hotel has been fully renovated and offers all the comfort of modern facilities. The atmosphere evokes the Renaissance style: curved shaped designed furniture, warm tones of the tapestries together with handcraft made lights respect the refined style of the charm typical of the Loir Valley.

Essential Information

Cycling Conditions
Classification: Self-Guided
Average daily distance: 47km (29 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 adjusted to your height prior to arrival. 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.

Flight inclusive prices include our standard flights, onward rail and station transfers.

British Airways Heathrow to Paris CDG 07:20/09:35 then rail Paris Montparnasse to Blois-Chambord via St Pierre des Corps 12:29/15:15 (Mon-Fri), Paris Austerlitz to Blois-Chambord 12:37/14:06 (Sat) & Paris Austerlitz to Blois-Chambord via Orleans 13:22/15:20 (Sun) and walk to the hotel opposite the station.
Return: Walk to the station opposite the hotel then rail Blois-Chambord to Paris Montparnasse via St Pierre des Corps 11:30/13:33 (Mon-Fri) & Blois-Chambord to Paris Austerlitz 12:03/13:39 (Sat & Sun) then British Airways Paris CDG to Heathrow 17:40/17:55 (Tues), 18:05/18:20 Sun, Mon & Weds) & 18:50/19:05 (Fri, Sat & Thurs).

Alternative transfers
If you require alternative transfers (because you will be arriving at a different time to our standard flights), then we can usually arrange these for you (there may be an additional charge).

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

France

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter France. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/france
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/france
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/France.html

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.

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.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.