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Castles of the Loire

Discover the famous châteaux of the Loire

Romance knows no bounds in the Loire Valley. The bike tour starts in Tours, a pretty town between the Cher and the Loire. Cultural wealth, rural charm and romantic architecture: these three terms are the best way to describe this journey on two wheels through France.

Between all the famous castles of the Loire, you will cycle through the charming landscape from town to town. The focus is always on the culture! Kings, lords of the castle and ladies-in-waiting once enjoyed their noble lives here and you'll be able to find out more about their unique lives.

Details of the bike ride around the Castles of the Loire

The castles of Langeais, Ussé, Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau - to name just the most famous - make up the dream route “Castles of the Loire”. The first-class mix of unmistakable architecture and impressive landscape makes the bike ride to the castles of the Loire an unforgettable experience. We now tell you which highlights await you!

The highlights of the cycling holiday at a glance

  • Villandry & Ussé Castle: The first beautiful castle on your trip is Villandry Castle. The unique terraced gardens, the flower-covered arbours and the numerous fountains invite you to dream. On the way to Chinon, Ussé Castle stands out on the edge of the forest. Sleeping Beauty Castle evokes imaginative thoughts of the Brothers Grimm's famous fairy tale. You get excited!

  • Azay-le-Rideau: You reach Crissay via the cycle path through old vineyards and villages. With its buildings and houses from the 15th century, the town is one of the most beautiful in France. The castle of Azay-le-Rideau that was built there is bursting with magnificence. In other words: a magical Renaissance castle of exceptional quality!

Worth knowing about the bike tour in the Castles of the Loire region

In eight days, you will experience so much culture, architecture and nature as rarely anywhere else. You will cycle through the flat and gently sloping Loire Valley on roads with little traffic. The program covers between 40 and 75 kilometres per day.

This tour has been graded as Medium. Find out more about our cycling holiday difficulty levels.

Tour information
Medium
  • 8 Days / 7 Nights
  • Self-Guided
  • Luggage transfers included
  • Total cycling distance: approx. 365 km
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Itinerary

Individual arrival at the start hotel. At 7:00 PM, our guide greets you at the centrally located Le Grand Hotel in Tours.

The River Cher takes you first to Villandry Castle with its special terraced gardens. Then via the Loire to Château Langeais. On the edge of the mysterious forest of Chinon stands the Sleeping Beauty Castle Ussé. Continue through small villages to Chinon.

ca. 60 km

Along the river Vienne towards Montsoreau where the Vienne and the Loire become one. Then through lovely vineyards to Fontevraud Abbey (the best-preserved collection of monastic buildings in the world). On the way back to Chinon, you can make a 'literary' stop at the birthplace of the writer François Rabelais.

ca. 55 km

Via lonely villages, the tour first goes to the artists' village Crissay. An extraordinary castle; Azay-le-Rideau, which according to writer de Balzac is a diamond with a thousand facets. Let yourself be enchanted.

ca. 40 km

Today you will experience a picturesque highlight: through the romantic river landscape of the Indre, you reach the beautiful Montbazon. A small ridge has to be climbed, then you roll into the peaceful valley of the Cher. Dreamy villages will accompany you on your way to Chenonceaux with its beautiful castle built in a unique location above the river.

ca. 60 km

A short stage takes you through the Touraine to Chaumont Castle and further along the Loire to Blois. The longer route goes via Montrichard, Cheverny and Villesavine to Chambord Castle: the largest and most beautiful castle in the Loire.

ca. 45-75 km

The most royal of all castles is in Amboise. In addition to five kings and one emperor, Leonardo da Vinci also lived here. Via small country roads and extensive vineyards, it continues via Rochecorbon to Tours.

ca. 45 km + train

C'est la vie, as life goes by... Today it's already over, your bike ride along various castles of the Loire. Enjoy your last breakfast and then it's time to say goodbye to what is probably the most attractive part of France. We are happy to book your extra nights!

Route information

A bike ride on gently sloping terrain with only a few climbs. You need to bring some stamina to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the many sights that are really "relaxed". The route goes via bike paths, car-free side roads and farm roads.



 

Prices and dates

Prices are per person in GBP and exclude flights


Complete a Booking Request: Castles of the Loire

Make an enquiry about 2024 arrival dates and prices for this tour

Prices and services may vary depending on the travel year
Select travel year:
Place of arrival: Tours
  Season 1
01.04.2023 - 14.04.2023
30.09.2023 - 07.10.2023

Thursday, Saturday
Season 2
15.04.2023 - 12.05.2023
09.09.2023 - 29.09.2023

Thursday, Saturday
Season 3
13.05.2023 - 08.09.2023

Thursday, Saturday
Castles of the Loire, Cat. A, FR-LORTT-08A
Base price
949.00
999.00
1,049.00
Single room surcharge 309.00 309.00 309.00
Castles of the Loire, Cat. B, FR-LORTT-08B
Base price
839.00
899.00
949.00
Single room surcharge 309.00 309.00 309.00
  • Category A: You will stay in carefully selected 3*** hotels (French classification)
  • Category B: You stay in decent 2** and 3*** hotels (French classification)
Season 1
Apr 1, 2023 - Apr 14, 2023
Sep 30, 2023 - Oct 7, 2023
Thursday, Saturday
Season 2
Apr 15, 2023 - May 12, 2023
Sep 9, 2023 - Sep 29, 2023
Thursday, Saturday
Season 3
May 13, 2023 - Sep 8, 2023
Thursday, Saturday
Castles of the Loire, Cat. A, FR-LORTT-08A
Base price
Single room surcharge
Castles of the Loire, Cat. B, FR-LORTT-08B
Base price
Single room surcharge
949.00
309.00
839.00
309.00
999.00
309.00
899.00
309.00
1,049.00
309.00
949.00
309.00
  • Category A: You will stay in carefully selected 3*** hotels (French classification)
  • Category B: You stay in decent 2** and 3*** hotels (French classification)
Season 1
Apr 1, 2023 - Apr 14, 2023
Sep 30, 2023 - Oct 7, 2023
Season 2
Apr 15, 2023 - May 12, 2023
Sep 9, 2023 - Sep 29, 2023
Season 3
May 13, 2023 - Sep 8, 2023
Tours
Double room p.p. Cat. A
Single room surcharge
Tours
Double room p.p. Cat. B
Single room surcharge
65.00
45.00
65.00
45.00
65.00
45.00
65.00
45.00
65.00
45.00
65.00
45.00
Additional nights
Place of arrival: Tours
  Season 1
Apr 1, 2023 - Apr 14, 2023
Sep 30, 2023 - Oct 7, 2023

Thursday, Saturday
Season 2
Apr 15, 2023 - May 12, 2023
Sep 9, 2023 - Sep 29, 2023

Thursday, Saturday
Season 3
May 13, 2023 - Sep 8, 2023

Thursday, Saturday
Tours
Double room p.p. Cat. A 65.00 65.00 65.00
Single room surcharge 45.00 45.00 45.00
Tours
Double room p.p. Cat. B 65.00 65.00 65.00
Single room surcharge 45.00 45.00 45.00
Filter
21-Speed Unisex Bike
Unisex E-Bike
27-Speed Bike PLUS
99.00
239.00
159.00
Prices per person in GBP

Our rental bikes

Services / Information

Services

Including

  • 7 nights in the chosen category, including breakfast
  • Luggage transfer(s)
  • Travel folder 1 x per room (German, English with route and overview maps, detailed route description, places of interest, important telephone numbers, luggage labels)
  • GPS data available on request
  • Service Hotline

Not included

  • Tourist tax, if applicable, to be paid locally
Arrival information
  • Train: Tours Station
  • Plane: Paris Airport, train connections from Paris to Tours (about 250 km)
  • Parking: Hotel garage, approximately € 45 per week. No reservation is possible; payable locally at the hotel

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