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Loire Castles 8-Day Self-guided Cycling Tour Level 2

  • 8days
  • France

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Cycling Tours Europe
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8-day La route royal Cycle Tour on the River Loire

The Loire Valley – the quintessence of the romantic France! The rural charm of this region is in no way inferior to the cultural wealth of its cities. But of course, the castles on the river Loire are the reason, above all else, why this region is so famous. Kings, feudal lords and ladies of the court, seduced by the beautiful natural setting of the Loire Valley, had there, in the ‘garden of France’, several hundred castles, manor houses and dreamy residences built. Villandry, Langeais, Ussé, Chinon,  Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceaux, Chaumont, Blois, just to name the most important ones. Each one of them would be worth a separate holiday, however together they truly display a one of a kind route of dreams as far as architecture and scenery is concerned. First class in every way.

Tour character: Level 2

You cycle on side roads as well as cycle paths and dirt roads on flat terrain and gently curving Loire-valley. The terrain in the vineyards is somewhat more hilly and there are also a few short ascents to tackle (max. over a distance of 500 metres).

Included in the Cycling Tour:

  • 7x nights in 3* Accommodation 
  • Breakfast buffet
  • Welcome briefing (German, English)
  • Luggage transfer between the hotels 
  • Professionally developed route
  • Service hotline
  • App for navigation and GPS-data available

Not included in the tour: 

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price.
  • Bike rental
  • Bike insurance

Arrival / Parking / Departure:

  • Tours train station
  • Paris airport 
  • Multi-storey car park costs EUR 50 per week, payable on site, no reservation possible/necessary.

Notes:

  • For a stress-free start to your travel, arriving at the start point by early evening the day before is recommended. The individual return journey takes place on the last day of travel.
  • The distance travelled is approximate and may differ from the actual distance.
  • This trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

If you would like to rent a bike (99 EUR) or e-bike (239 EUR) please contact our office when booking: [email protected]

Slow Tours offers a number of other Cycling Tours in Europe

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  • Day 1

    Arrival in Tours

    Already discover the historic centre Touraine today, the highly-praised ‚Garden of France‘.

  • Day 2

    Tours – Chinon (approx. 60 km)

    The river Cher leads you directly to the castle Villandry with its terraced gardens. Certainly, you should not miss paying a visit to this famous installation. Every visitor will be amazed by the shadowy footpaths, the flower-bedecked bowers, the fountains and the artistically laid out vegetable gardens. Some kilometres further on you will exchange the bank of the Cher for the bank of the famous Loire. And again you will be tempted by the next castle – Langeais. From the top of the fortified tower (this castle exclusively served for military purposes) you will see the river and its whole surroundings lying in front of you. On the verge of the dark and mysterious forest of Chinon rises the castle of Ussé, the castle of the Sleeping Beauty. Via small villages and on side roads you will reach today’s destination – Chinon.

  • Day 3

    Loop tour Fontevraud l´Abbaye (approx. 55 km)

    The Vienne escorts you first in the small village Candes-St-Matin. A grandiose and romantic church was built at the place of death of the holy St. Martin. In Montsoreau conflate the Vienne with the powerful Loire – a impressing natural spectacle. These ‘cave gardens’ are approx. 800 km long. Your cyclist calves take you first to Fontervraud l’Abbey. Nowhere else in this world, you will find a medieval monastery that is so entirely preserved like the one in Fontervraud. You pass the birth house of Francois Rabelais, the famous author and also through the valley, where his story line of the book “Gargantua” takes place.

  • Day 4

    Chinon – Azay-le-Rideau (approx. 40 km)

    You leave Chinon with its medieval alleys, which crowd between the river and the rocks, towards the north. The tour leads you through vineyards and lonely villages. Like Crissay, once entirely deserted – it is now resettled by artists and people who always know how to make the best of things. But don’t be afraid – there will also be a castle for admiration today: to be precise, one of extremely high quality – Azay-le-Rideau. Balzac wrote about it “a diamond with thousand facets, set by the Indre”. What could we add to this? You will spend the night in town and have, therefore, the chance to enjoy the magic of the castle with its cultural events.

  • Day 5

    Azay-le-Rideau – Chenonceaux (approx. 60 km) There is another highlight in store: this time concerning nature. Through the romantic river landscape, steadily following the Indre, you will reach Montbazon. A short ascent awaits you. By pedalling really hard over a mountain ridge you reach the Cher Valley. On meadow paths and along the Cher you go to Bléré, a small market town. For many visitors the Castle of Chenonceaux is the topping on the cake. A magnificent, double floored bridge gallery goes over the river. But before the lovely palace garden will enthuse your eyes. But see and discover on your own.

  • Day 6

    Chenonceaux – Blois (approx. 45 – 75 km)

    Today you have to choose between two tour variants: the shorter stage takes you through the lovely landscape of the Touraine to the Castle Chaumont, and then on romantic paths along the Loire to Blois. After moving into your hotel room you will go out on reconnaissance! The Castle Blois with its galleries, projected balconies and bay windows could be your destination. Or there is the second, longer variant for all lovers of the Loire Castles: via Montrichard, Cheverny, Villesavine to the Castle Chambord. As far as the eye can see the ‘Domaine de Chambrod’ stretches here. Already from a distance, you can see the walls of the biggest and most magnificent residence on the Loire shimmering through the trees. It is the immortal legacy of a disloyal king. You are spoilt for choice!

  • Day 7

    Blois – Tours approx. (45 - 70 km)

    The river flows between the gold shimmering sandbanks in a leisurely manner. Typical of this area are the rock housings, which are directly built into the soft lime stones. Sometimes, only the rising smoke reveals their existence. You cross the Loire in order to appreciate the most royal of all the Loire Castles: Castle Ambois. It accommodated five kings and a Roman emperor. In addition, a genius of the 16th century attracts your attention – Leonardo da Vinci, who spent his last years in Ambois. Then you bike on concealed paths through vineyards and past wine cellars, via Rochcorbon, to Tours. Alternatively take the train (independently) from Amboise and hence cut the stage short by about 25 km.

  • Day 8

    Departure or extension

  • Read More

Tours marked with are special prices.

Start End Max. No. Guests Accommodation Price p.p.
Apr 01 2023 Apr 08 2023 12 Single rooms 1,328€
Double rooms 979€
Apr 06 2023 Apr 13 2023 12 Single rooms 1,328€
Double rooms 979€
Apr 08 2023 Apr 15 2023 12 Single rooms 1,328€
Double rooms 979€
Apr 13 2023 Apr 20 2023 12 Single rooms 1,328€
Double rooms 979€
Apr 15 2023 Apr 22 2023 12 Single rooms 1,388€
Double rooms 1,039€
Apr 20 2023 Apr 27 2023 12 Single rooms 1,388€
Double rooms 1,039€
Apr 22 2023 Apr 29 2023 12 Single rooms 1,388€
Double rooms 1,039€
Apr 27 2023 May 04 2023 12 Single rooms 1,388€
Double rooms 1,039€
Apr 29 2023 May 06 2023 12 Single rooms 1,388€
Double rooms 1,039€
May 04 2023 May 11 2023 12 Single rooms 1,388€
Double rooms 1,039€
May 06 2023 May 13 2023 12 Single rooms 1,388€
Double rooms 1,039€
May 11 2023 May 18 2023 12 Single rooms 1,388€
Double rooms 1,039€
May 13 2023 May 20 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
May 18 2023 May 25 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
May 20 2023 May 27 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
May 25 2023 Jun 01 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
May 27 2023 Jun 03 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Jun 01 2023 Jun 08 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Jun 03 2023 Jun 10 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Jun 08 2023 Jun 15 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Jun 10 2023 Jun 17 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Jun 15 2023 Jun 22 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Jun 17 2023 Jun 24 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Jun 22 2023 Jun 29 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Jun 24 2023 Jul 01 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Jun 29 2023 Jul 06 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Jul 01 2023 Jul 08 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Jul 06 2023 Jul 13 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Jul 08 2023 Jul 15 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Jul 13 2023 Jul 20 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Jul 15 2023 Jul 22 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Jul 20 2023 Jul 27 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Jul 22 2023 Jul 29 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Jul 27 2023 Aug 03 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Jul 29 2023 Aug 05 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Aug 03 2023 Aug 10 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Aug 05 2023 Aug 12 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Aug 10 2023 Aug 17 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Aug 12 2023 Aug 19 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Aug 17 2023 Aug 24 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Aug 19 2023 Aug 26 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Aug 24 2023 Aug 31 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Aug 26 2023 Sep 02 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Aug 31 2023 Sep 07 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Sep 02 2023 Sep 09 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Sep 07 2023 Sep 14 2023 12 Single rooms 1,448€
Double rooms 1,099€
Sep 09 2023 Sep 16 2023 12 Single rooms 1,388€
Double rooms 1,039€
Sep 14 2023 Sep 21 2023 12 Single rooms 1,388€
Double rooms 1,039€
Sep 16 2023 Sep 23 2023 12 Single rooms 1,388€
Double rooms 1,039€
Sep 21 2023 Sep 28 2023 12 Single rooms 1,388€
Double rooms 1,039€
Sep 23 2023 Sep 30 2023 12 Single rooms 1,388€
Double rooms 1,039€
Sep 28 2023 Oct 05 2023 12 Single rooms 1,388€
Double rooms 1,039€
Sep 30 2023 Oct 07 2023 12 Single rooms 1,328€
Double rooms 979€
Oct 05 2023 Oct 12 2023 12 Single rooms 1,328€
Double rooms 979€
Oct 07 2023 Oct 14 2023 12 Single rooms 1,328€
Double rooms 979€

Car rental in France

If you would like to drive yourself before or after your tour, ask us for a quote on any brand new Renault, Peugeot or Citroen vehicle for driving in Europe.

Pick up your vehicle from most capital cities in Europe and return it to your drop off destination. Top insurance cover. Email [email protected] for a competitive quote

Paris Theatres

Shows in English in Paris: Paris offers a wide variety of shows accessible to English-speakers. One-man shows, classic & modern theatre, musicals, cabarets and more are all performed in the city every night. You can get the full programme of shows in Paris to fit your city break dates by emailing [email protected]

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