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Choose from 5-14 nights
Loire à Vélo from Orleans to the Atlantic |
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 Follow the new cycling path "Loire à vélo." The “Loire à Vélo” trail runs through the Centre and Pays de la Loire regions. As of 2008, you are able to cycle through the Anjou, Touraine, Loir-et-Cher, Loiret and Cher areas over more than 250 miles of signposted tracks alongside the Loire River and its tributaries. Loire à Vélo is part of the future “Euroveloroute” running between Nantes and Budapest (1500 miles).
You can take 6, 7, 10, 11 or 15 days to discover this great valley and reach the Atlantic coast. The route consists of three stages; you can ride just one, or link two or all three together.
Stage A : From Orléans to Tours
Discover the royal valley by longing the majestic river from Orléans to Tours where thousands of treasures are waiting you :historical heritage and testimony with numerous chateaux, wonderful landscapes of different natural areas, regional gastronomy delights…
Stage B : From Tours to Angers
This part of the Loire Valley is the most doted in chateaux and vineyards. Follow the Loire river which will guide you from historical places to famous cellars for tasting. Enjoy the ‘French art de vivre’ along the peaceful and wild landscapes.
Stage C : From Angers to Le Croisic
Discover the charms of the Western part of the Loire valley : from Angers all the way to Le Croisic. This itinerary is your chance to visit the typical countryside by salterns and marsh to finally "take the plunge" into the Atlantic Ocean at Le Croisic.
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Stage A
1st Day : Arrival in Orléans
Discover Orléans and its old historical centre, situated between the large countryside fields of Beauce area, green pastures, ponds and forest of Sologne area. Accommodation in 2* hotel and dinner in a local restaurant
2nd Day : Orléans – Beaugency 28 km/ 18 miles
Longing the wild river banks for a stage in calm and serenity through the charming and very flowered city of Beaugency. Accommodation in 2* hotel and dinner in a local restaurant
3rd Day : Beaugency - Blois 46 km/ 29 miles
Leaving Beaugency by the river banks passing via the prestigious château of Chambord : the widest Château of the Loire Valley masterpiece of the Renaissance period. Then, follow the direction of Blois presenting a rich historical heritage with the château offering a brilliant illustration of the evolution of French architecture from the Middle Ages to the 17th century. Dinner and accommodation in 2* hotel
4th Day : Blois – Amboise 44 km/ 28 miles
Follow the small countryside routes until the chateau of Chaumont overlooking the Loire river, before reaching Amboise and its royal chateau from 15th –16th century. Few streets further on, is the last home of Léonardo Da Vinci : Manorhouse of ‘Clos Lucé’. Accommodation in 2* hotel and dinner in a local restaurant
5th Day : Amboise – Tours 25 or 31 km/ 16 or 19 miles
A stage via the vineyards of Montlouis to discover the numerous cellars offering sweet white or sparkling wines. Then, enjoy the lovely chateau birthplace of Gabrielle d’Estrées, the favorite of King Henri IV. Continue to the heart of the city of Tours to discover the old quarters sheltering the famous 'Place Plumereau' and its half-timbered houses. Accommodation in 2* hotel and dinner in a local restaurant
6th Day: Departure
Stage B
1st Day : Arrival in Tours
Accommodation in 2* hotel and dinner in a local restaurant
2nd Day : Tours – Azay le Rideau 36 km/ 23 miles
Reach Savonnières for a journey in the heart of Petrifying Grottoes. Then proceed to Villandry with its famous Gardens, matchless in Europe and composed of 3 superposed terraces, then Saché, the house of the famous novelist Honoré de Balzac. Finally arrive in Azay le Rideau where you can admire its Renaissance chateau, a jewel set over the Indre river. Accommodation in 2* hotel and dinner in a local restaurant
3rd Day : Azay le Rideau – Chinon 39 km/ 24 miles
Departure towards Langeais and its 15th century château offering a typical form of a medieval fortified castle where you could admire wonderful tapestries and piece of furniture. Then ride towards the ‘Sleeping Beauty’ chateau in Ussé which has inspired Perrault for its famous fairy tale story. Accommodation in 2* hotel and dinner in a local restaurant
4th Day : Chinon – Saumur 43 km/ 27 miles
Before leaving the medieval city of Chinon, founded on the Vienne river, possibility to visit numerous cellars which propose the famous red wine such appreciated by Rabelais. Then, continue towards the abbey of Fontevraud, the largest monastic city remaining in Europe which is the Necropolis of the Plantagenêts sovereigns before reaching the lovely town of Saumur. Accommodation in 2* hotel and dinner in a local restaurant
5th Day : Saumur – Angers 64 km/ 40 miles
A stage following the Loire river before going through the vineyards of Anjou. You will reach the peaceful city of Angers and its chateau sheltering the famous Apocalypse Tapestry. Accommodation in 2* hotel and dinner in a local restaurant
6th Day: departure
Stage C
1st Day : Arrival in Angers
Accommodation in 2* hotel and dinner in a local restaurant
2nd Day : Angers - Montjean or Ingrandes sur Loire 36 km/ 23 miles
From the heart of the vineyards of Anjou : slopes of the River Loire, Aubance and Layon, to the banks of the Loire at Chalonnes, the confluence of the Rivers Loire and Layon. Dinner and accommodation in 2* hotel
3rd Day : Montjean or Ingrandes s/Loire - Champtoceaux 40 km/ 25 miles
A ride along the banks of the River Loire to Champtoceaux, in its magnificent setting marking the boundary between Anjou and Brittany. Dinner and accommodation in 2* hotel
4th Day : Champtoceaux - Nantes 30 km/ 19 miles
From countryside and small villages to the big city of Nantes. Discover another point of view of the Loire in the capital of the western part. Accommodation in 2* hotel and dinner in a local restaurant
5th Day : Nantes – St Brévin 55 km/ 34 miles
A stage along marshlands and countryside to finish at the estuary of the Loire river and enjoy the seaside and beaches. Dinner and accommodation in 2* hotel
6th Day : St Brévin – Le Croisic 53 km/ 33 miles
From the estuary of the River Loire to the wild sea coast of Le Croisic. An opportunity to discover the famous salterns of the medieval town of Guérande. Accommodation in 2* hotel and dinner in a local restaurant
7th Day: Departure
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Self-Guided:
Accommodation: on half board basis in 2** hotels, double room with shower and toilets
Transfer of luggage from hotel to hotel
Maps and itineraries, tourist information
Return transfer of rental bikes
Does not include
Drinks, lunches and personal expenses
Rental bike
Personal bike transfer
Train ticket for return transfer
Luggage transportation on last day
The rental bikes
21-speed men’s and ladies' hybrid touring bikes, equipped with two saddlebags, an anti-theft device, a map holder, a helmet, a high-visibility safety-vest, a cyclometer and a repair kit. Adjustment by a cycling specialist.
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Self-Guided: Daily: March to October 2010
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Self-Guided:
Stage A 6days/5nights
€658: Tour Package
€146: Single supplement (1 person per room)
€145: Solo traveler supplement (not traveling with anyone else). Payable in addition to the single room supplement.
€110: Bike Rental (Trek 7200)
Stage B 6days/5nights
€639: Tour Package
€150: Single supplement (1 person per room)
€145: Solo traveler supplement (not traveling with anyone else). Payable in addition to the single room supplement.
€110: Bike Rental (Trek 7200)
Stage C 7days/6nights
€915: Tour Package
€205: Single supplement (1 person per room)
€190: Solo traveler supplement (not traveling with anyone else). Payable in addition to the single room supplement.
€123: Bike Rental (Trek 7200)
Combined Tours
Stages A and B 10 days/9nights
€1125: Tour Package
€265: Single supplement (1 person per room)
€210: Solo traveler supplement (not traveling with anyone else). Payable in addition to the single room supplement.)
€160: Bike Rental (Trek 7200)
Stages B and C 11 days/10nights
€1290: Tour Package
€315: Single supplement (1 person per room)
€270: Solo traveler supplement (not traveling with anyone else). Payable in addition to the single room supplement.
€174: Bike Rental (Trek 7200)
Stages A, B and C 15 days/14nights
€1785: Tour Package
€425: Single supplement (1 person per room)
€295: Solo traveler supplement (not traveling with anyone else). Payable in addition to the single room supplement.
€200: Bike Rental (Trek 7200)
Extra nights
Orléans (B&B): €47, single €77
Tours (B&B): €46, single €76
Angers (B&B): €50, single €84
Le Croisic (D,B&B): € on request, varies by season
In combination tours, the departure day in Stages A and B are dropped.
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Nearest Airport: Paris
Stage A: By road : RN 152, A10; By train: Orléans station
Stage B: By road: RN 152, A10; By train : Tours station
Stage C: By road : A11; By train : Angers station
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BikeToursDirect does not operate any tours but represents all companies whose tours are listed on this
site. You can book this tour through BikeToursDirect at the same prices you'd pay booking directly through
the tour company. Book this tour by clicking on "Book Trip" button below, or contact us for help planning your tour.
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