Self-guided Cycling Tour round trip from/to Saumur

Arrival in Saumur.

Discover the pleasant town of Saumur overlooked by its 14th century château and famous for its National Riding School and its sparkling white wine.

Saumur – Fontevraud | 44 km.

This first stage will guide you through the « Saumur Champigny » vineyards producing very elegant red wines. You will make a stop at château de Brézé, well known by its impressive underground cellars ! Then, ride until Fontevraud and its royal abbey : an outstanding example of Romanesque art founded in 1099, considered as the most important monastic city of Europe.

Excursion Fontevraud – Montreuil Bellay – Fontevraud | 50 km.

Enjoy the swimming pool of your hotel or visit the Fontevraud Abbey which houses the tombs of the Plantagenets Aliénor d’Aquitaine and Richard Cœur de Lion before making a pleasant excursion loop via the typical fortified village of Montreuil-Bellay and its château.

Fontevraud – Chinon | 50 km.

After cycling through the Fontevraud forest, discover the famous Chinon vineyards producing the red wine much appreciated by Rabelais ! After a stop at the château du Rivau which evokes the wonderful middle-Age stories and legends, reach the mediaeval town of Chinon, built on the Vienne river banks.

Chinon – Azay le Rideau | 44 km.

This itinerary via troglodyte wine cellars and vineyards will lead you to the village of Crissay sur Manse, listed among the most beautiful villages of France. Continue along the countryside roads until Azay le Rideau and its romantic Renaissance château, elegantly enclosed in its setting of water and greenery

Excursion to Villandry – Langeais | 37 km.

Ride towards Villandry and its famous French-style Renaissance gardens matchless in Europe and composed of 3 superposed terraces. Then follow the Loire river on the “Loire à Vélo” cycling paths until the Château de Langeais offering a typical form of a medieval fortified castle.

Azay le Rideau – Saumur | 58 km

Join the “Loire à Vélo” routes which will lead you to the village of Candes-Saint-Martin where you can visit the magnificent 12th and 13th century collegiate church. Then proceed to the beautiful village of Montsoreau dominated by its château, built over the Loire river. Continue along troglodyte sites before reaching Saumur and your charming hotel in the town centre.

Departure during the day after returning your cycling equipment