return to France cycling   home

Castles of the Loire - individual or guided

Tour through the enchanting valley of the Loire – 335 kilometres

You cycle on small and quiet woodland lanes, through the mostly flat or over smooth hills of the valley of Loire and Indre. A few short inclines might be coped with by pushing the bicycle.

Route description

1st day – Journey to Tours
Journey to Tours, the historical centre of Touraine and often praised as ‘Garden of France’. Parking facilities are available at the hotel in Tours – about 32,00 Euro per car for one week. There will be a meeting for tour-information in German in the afternoon where you will also get your bicycle. You are welcomed by your tour guide(s) and then, dine with the group once you’ve booked the guided tour.
2nd day – Tours – Chinon about 60 kilometres
We go directly to the Villandry castle with its famous terrace-shaped gardens. Castle Langeais is only a few kilometres further along. The sleeping beauty castle Ussé is located at the edge of the dark and mysterious forest of Chinon. We reach Chinon passing small villages and travelling over minor roads.
3rd day – Chinon – Saumur – Chinon about 55 kilometres
Fontervraud l’Abbey is a totally maintained medieval monastery building. We move onto Saumur (where there is a castle as well, of course). Saumur is the town of mushrooms, that grow in dark, moist caves (about 800 kilometres long). The way back to Chinon leads us along wine gardens.
4th day – Chinon – Azay-le-Ridean about 45 kilometres
Today your way leads through wine gardens again and lonely villages to the artist’s village of Crissay. Like yesterday there is again a castle to gaze at in amazement and this castle is one of the special category of Azay-le-Rideau.
5th day – Azay-le-Rideau – Chenonceaux/ Montrichard about 60 kilometres
Through the romantic river-scenery of the Indre to Montbazon (small incline) then down into the valley of the Chers. Castle Chenonceaux is the cream on the cake for many Val de Loire – visitors.
6th day – Cenonceaux Montrichard – Blois about 45 or 47 kilometres
There are two opportunities but only one destination. The shorter tour leads you through the lovely scenery of Touraine to Chanmont castle and along the Loire to Blois. The second tour is longer passing Montrichard, Cheverny and Villesavine and onto the Chambord castle, which is the biggest and most magnificent residence at the Loire. You must visit castle Blois with its galleries, projected balconies, bays and aspens.
7th day – Blois – Tours about 70 kilometres
Rock flats built directly into the soft limestone are characteristic of this region. Castle Ambois is the most royal castle of all the castles of the Loire. It was the home to five kings, one Roman emperor and Leonardo da Vinci. You cycle back to Tours on hidden paths and passing Rochcorbon.
8th day – departure or extension

Individual departure or extension of overnight stays book able.

Service:
7 overnight stays of the booked category (shower/ toilet) partly French breakfast, or buffet
Baggage transport every day
Maps and other information
Discussion of the tour and bicycle handing over in German

In addition when you booked the group tour:
Local bilingual guides
3-course dinner meal
NO accompanying bus
NO entrance fees/ guided tours in the castles

more information, dates, prices .....

For more details just e-mail us, please: radreise@web.de