GUIDED

ORIGINAL

BICYCLE

TOUR

FRANCE

Cycling in the Loire Valley

Biking & Ballooning - Chateau to Chateau

Bicycle Tour Finder    Walking Tour Finder    Multi-Active Tour Finder     

Villa and Apartment Rentals  European River & Canal Cruises  Self Drive Barge & Boat Rentals

What's New    Home   FAQ    Schedule of Guided Bicycle Tours  

Bicycle Tour Details    Feedback    Search    Travel Info 

Reservations

The Loire Valley biking and ballooning

Experience the best foods, world-renowned wines, chateaux by the score, and endless fields of flowers. Rendezvous with your balloon and lift into the sunset, flying wherever the winds may take you. Spend easy days cycling to wineries and visiting chateaux ---Azay-le-Rideau, in the center of a placid dreamy lake; Chenonceaux, the crown jewel of the Loire; Chambord, in a park as big as Paris; Chaumont, one of Ben Franklin's favorite places and many more. A new vista awaits at every twist and turn as you cycle this glorious, river-laced valley.

Day 1 - We rendezvous at Tours in time to enjoy an optional ride along the banks of the Loire river. This evening we'll enjoy our champagne reception and our get-acquainted dinner featuring the various wines of the Loire Valley.

Day 2 - Cycling through a rolling landscape covered in Vineyards, we'll come upon Chateau Villandry and its unbelievably beautiful color-washed gardens. Then a few kilometers farther, we'll discover the lake-bound Chateau Azay-le-Rideau. Pedal on to Sache, Balzac's home. This evening we'll join our balloonist friends, Christiane and Pierre Bonnet of Air Escargot, and ascend into the French sky, following the evening breeze wherever it may take us; perhaps over the verdant Loire Valley or across the Beauce Plain or over Chenonceau itself for a one-of-a-kind view of the chateau. Landing with the setting sun, we'll uncork a bottle of champagne and toast our pilot and each other - a superb flight we will long remember.

Day 3 - Today is a lazy day of cycling on tiny, quiet country roads past Chateau Mont Poupon on the way to Chateau Chenonceau, a glorious structure spanning the Cher river, perhaps the most beautiful of the Loire Valley chateaux. It was the home of King Henry II's mistress for many years. When you have seen the chateau and used up all of your film, cycle into town. We'll spend the night in this quiet little French village, a favorite of the King.

Day 4 - Cycle north through beautiful vineyards with stops for winery tours and tastings. Visit the Chateau Amboise and the home of Leonardo De Vinci and his nearby burial site. Pedal along the bank of the Loire River to Chateau Chaumont, one of Ben Franklin's favorite places.

Day 5 - A day of cycling on country lanes through tiny villages to chateau Cheverny. After lunch, we will ride through a dense French forest until we reach Chateau Chambord, which is so large it will take most of the afternoon to explore it well. It is in a park as big as all of Paris! When you have finished exploring, pedal on to our hotel for a gala "Farewell" evening.

Day 6 - A leisurely breakfast before your return to Paris. But, before you leave, visit Chateau Blois. It is one of the most intriguing chateaux in France and the home of Catherine De Medici, from where she controlled Europe..

Overnight Itinerary:   Tours,   Montbazon,   Chenonceau,   Chaumont,   St. Dye

*Ballooning is optional at extra charge

Inn Tour:  June 15-20, Aug 31 - Sep 5

Chateau Tour:  May 25 - 30      

         Return to top      Return to Bicycle Tour Finder