|
What'sNew
Welcome to our new websiteThis website displays best and works faster with the Microsoft Explorer web browser.
CurrentNews
Click on any picture in this website to enlarge it.
Then click on the back arrow to return.
RecentEvents
New Irish ToursAfter searching for many years we have found an Irish partner with some very original tours in the west Ireland's Connemara and Burren regions. Please check them out. More.... NewsLetter
|
|
|
 |
 |
Cycle by Day...
Live Royally at Night
 |
 |
The Loire Valley Eight Day Luxury Tour
of the Loire Region
Discover the Three Rivers - The Loire, Indre & Cher River Valleys
In the heart of a tranquil and beautiful area planted with vineyards and orchards, blessed with manors and châteaux, we propose to you a journey cycling along the rivers Loire, Indre & Cher to discover the splendid sceneries of the Loire Valley château country. With accommodations and dinners in chateaux and manor houses by night and the magnificent chateaux of French history by day, this is truly a royal experience. Stop to taste the wines and visit the wineries of countless vineyards all along this journey into time.
This is a luxury self-guided bicycle tour with accommodations in beautiful 3* & 4* Manors and Chateaux.
Tour Profile: The cycling is easy with a few long hills. It is mostly on quiet country roads but traffic is unavoidable when entering the sites of the monuments and chateaux.
Highlights:
-
Spend each night in royal surroundings at our especially selected manor houses and chateaux.
-
The many vineyards and wineries with wine tastings all along the way.
-
Chateau Villandry and its beautiful gardens.
-
Chateau Azay-le-Rideau
-
Chateau Chenonceau set astride the river Cher
-
Chateau Amboise
-
The home of Leonardo di Vinci and the models of his many inventions
-
The vineyards of Montlouis, recognized for its stately white wines
-
Chateau Montpoupon
-
Chateau Cheverny
-
Chateau Chambord
-
Chateau Chaumont
-
Chateau Beauregard
Click to See:
Tour Price - Departure Days - What's Included - Reserve this tour
The Itinerary:
Day 1 - Arrival in Joue les Tours
You
Tours confirms its pace as the undisputed capital of the Loire Valley. Don't miss the chance to explore its historic quarter, with its half-timbered houses, and especially the Place Plumereau!
You will be met by your hotel host who will fit your bicycle, present your tour book and answer any questions you may have.
Day 2 - Joue les Tours to Montbazon 59km/28 miles A ride along the "Loire a velo cycling paths" They will lead you to Savonnieres where you can visit the petrified grottos, a troglodyte site became a world of shades, lights, water and stone. Then discover the famous renaissance gardens of Villandry crossing the Indre Valley. The gardens were originally planted and cared for by monks and are spectacular in their array of colors and in their geometric design. To this day, each garden plot has a large planting of a bush or small tree to represent the monk that worked the original garden. Still following the "Loire a velo" cycling tracks until the imposing towers and machicolations of the chateau de Langeais which will remind you of the hazardous Middle Ages, when medieval fortresses were designed to be impregnable! Now leave the Loire River to join the Indre River and Cycle on to the romantic chateau of Azay-le-Rideau, a Renaissance marvel seemingly floating in the center of a placid dreamy lake. A perfect setting of water and greenery effected by diverting a river centuries ago to provide a continuous supply of water.
Day 3 - Montbazon to Chissay 42km/26 miles
Cycling along the Indre valley and reach the Cher Valley presenting an opportunity to explore the most beautiful of all of the chateaux Chenonceau, built across the river Cher. This spectacular structure was the home provided by King Henry II for his favorite mistress, Diane del Poitiers, who, at the time was the second greatest power in the country. Enjoy a walk in the heart of the Diane de Poitier's garden, then the Catherine de Medicis' garden to compare. Upon his death the Queen, Catherine De Medici, threw Diane out and insisted she move to Chaumont. She detested Chaumont and never spent much time there. 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 two rival women.
Day 4 - Chissay to Cheverny 40km/25 miles
Leave the Cher Valley to reach the vineyards of Touraine area via the chateau of Gué Péan and the medieval chateau of Fougère sur Bièvre, a perfect illustration of the traditional 15th century building art. An itinerary through the countryside and vineyards passing by small châteaux before cycling towards the famous château of Cheverny
Day 5 - Excursion to Chambord 50km/31 miles
After a short ride to the chateau of Villesavin, you will continue through the rich Domaine de Chambord forest, where a stop is essential to visit the most famous and majestic château in the Loire Valley. In its Renaissance splendour, the Château de Chambord boasts no less than 440 rooms and its forest is larger than all of Paris.
Day 6 - Cheverny to Amboise 44km/27 miles
Follow the 'pays des châteaux' cycling tracks through nice tiny villages to the château of Chaumont-sur-Loire, which proudly dominates the river. Chateau Chaumont Has one of the finest restored stables in France. The panorama over the river Loire is striking. One of the chateau's! former owners had one of its wings torn down just to open it to the view. This was one of Ben Franklin's favorite places and he spent much time here when he was the ambassador to France.
Then continue on the 'Loire à Vélo' cycling
tracks before arriving at the charming
town of Amboise with its royal château, where the greatest kings of
France lived. The Chateau Amboise has a sound
and light pageant during the summer months that is a spectacular of color and history with a cast of hundreds of local citizens participating. Amboise was the
final home of Leonardo di Vinci. He spent the last seven years of his life here at the invitation of
Queen Catherine De Medici. Models of the many drawings of his inventions have been built and are on exhibit.
Day 7 - Amboise to Joue les Tours 49km/30 miles
Crossing the
vineyards of Montlouis discover the numerous Caves producing the
famous sweet white sparkling wine. Continue in direction of
Gabrielle d’Estrée manor house who was King Henri IV ‘s
favourite mistress. The Chateau de La Bourdaisière will charm
you with its astonishing owner ‘The prince gardener’ who will
enjoy guiding you trough its amazing tomatoes conservatory and
medicinal plants. Finish this stage by reaching the city
of Tours.
Day 8 - Departure - Breakfast and departure.
Overnight Itinerary: Joue les Tours - Montbazon - Chissay - Cheverny - Amboise - Joue les Tours
SELF-GUIDED INN TOUR
Tour # FRB-16022 - 8 DAYS - $2190
Accommodations in 3 and 4 star chateaux hotels and manor houses
Single Supplement $675
Includes all dinners and breakfasts
Additional night in Joue les Tours in half-board basis $165 per person- Single Supplement $60
Bicycle Rental $125
DEPARTURES -
Daily from March through Oct
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
-
3 nights in 3 star & 4 nights in 4 star manor houses and chateau hotels. All rooms have private shower/bath and toilet in the room.
-
All breakfasts and dinners are included. Lunch and beverages are not included.
-
Baggage is transported each day to the next hotel.
DOSSIER
- On the first
day of the tour you will be given maps, road book, fact sheets and
tourist
information.
EXCLUSIONS: The insurance, the transfers from and to the airport, the beverages, the lunches, items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry.
BICYCLES - 21 speed men's and ladies' bikes, equipped with two saddlebags, a water bottle, an anti-theft device, a map holder, a helmet and a repair kit. Adjustment by a cycling specialist.
IN CASE OF BREAKDOWN - We do not intervene for flat tires. However, should any breakdown occur that prevents the completion of the days journey we will make repairs on the road. A phone number will be provided. All other types of necessary repairs that do not make cycling impossible will be repaired at the hotel each night.
Return to Top Reserve this tour Return to Bicycle Tour Finder
