8-day Loire and Atlantic Sea Cycle Tour

France’s longest river is also one of the last free-flowing rivers in Europe—wild, beautiful, and captivating is the landscape between Tours and Saint-Nazaire. Magnificent castles like Villandry and Saumur, with their architectural charm and splendid gardens, lie along your route. Stroll through colorful markets and savor aromatic local specialties as you rest in the idyllic Loire villages. The region’s vineyards shape both the landscape and the cuisine, and you’ll cycle repeatedly through gentle rolling wine hills. The larger towns of Angers and Nantes enchant with their picturesque old towns. Finally, you’ll reach Saint-Nazaire and the spectacular Atlantic coast.

Highlights:

• The impressive cultural monuments of the Loire castles: A few kilometres after Tours, Villandry Castle awaits you, which is particularly famous for its six ornate gardens and the oriental salon. The castles of Saumur and Lengeais also exude French charm.
• Idyllic natural experience: The untamed nature of the Loire makes it a spectacle. The charming Loire Valley and the numerous tributaries, plus the varied landscape between wine-growing areas and the Atlantic coast - you will hardly be able to get enough of the beauty of this corner of the world.
• Vibrant French cities: Have a café au lait in a bistro and linger, then stroll through the old alleyways and absorb the culture and architecture. Immerse yourself in the "savoir vivre", the famous French way of life.
• A bold plunge into the waves of the Atlantic: The ocean is considered wild and refreshing here, yet it shows itself to be so inviting that you simply have to dare to take a dip. The coastline is not to be neglected either, with wooded dunes, rocky coves and small beaches making bathing a picturesque experience. Tip: The bay of La Baule is worth a trip!

Tour character: Level 2

You’ll cycle mostly on asphalted and well-maintained gravel paths, with occasional stretches on quiet side roads. Each stage covers up to 65 kilometers (about 40 miles), allowing plenty of time to enjoy the region’s highlights. The well-marked route features only a few moderate climbs, but in return, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views. Occasionally, you may encounter some headwinds as you make your way toward the Atlantic.

Included in the Cycling Tour:

• 7x nights in 3* hotels (French classification)
• Breakfast
• Luggage transfer 
• Proessionally developed route
• Digital travel documents incl. navigation app, GPS-data, route book
• GPS-data is available 
• Service hotline

Not included in the tour: 

• Bike rental, including rental bike insurance
• Tourist tax if due
• Drinks, dinners and lunches
• Anything not mentioned in 'included'

Arrival / Parking / Departure:

• Arrival by train to Tours or St. Nazaire
• Paris airport
• Parking in Tours: Hotel parking garage, costs approx. EUR 15 per day; public garage, costs approx. EUR 12 per day
• Departure by train from Saint Nazaire to Tours on weekends is possible without changing trains, free bike transport, duration approx. 3 hours
• Return transfer by minibus from Saint Nazaire to Tours every Saturday morning, costs EUR 115 per person, EUR 45 extra for your own bike, to be paid in advance, reservation is 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.
• Departures Saturday 
• Extra nights (price depends on date booked)
  
  • Tours: From 95 EUR p.p (+79 EUR single room)
  • St. Nazaire: From 69 EUR p.p (+49 EUR single room)
• This trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility
• Rental bike PLUS - 179 EUR on request

If you would like to rent a 21-Gear bike (99 EUR) or E-bike (289 EUR) please contact our office when booking: [email protected] 

Slow Tours offers a number of other Cycling Tours in Europe

Read More