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One-Stop Resource for Bike Tours Worldwide
Representing Local Bike Tour Companies
More than 400 Tours in 70 Countries
Get our newsletter | Contact Us
Call (877) 462-2423 or (423) 756-8907
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| Type of tour: | Self-guided |
| Level: | Leisurely |
| Duration: | 7 Nights |
| Distance: | 23 Miles/day average |
| Dates: | Self-guided: Daily: Mar 1- Oct 31, 2012 and 2013 |
| Tour price: | €912 |
| Start city: | Saumur, France |
| End city: | Samaur, France |
Explore the most peaceful part of the Loire Valley with its secret treasures as troglodytes villages, cellars. A magic view from your bike over majestic chateaux surrounded by vineyards. Enjoy the local way of life where time runs slowly along Loire river and enjoy all the numerous local products.
Learn more about self-guided tours.
Explore the most peaceful part of the Loire Valley with its secret treasures as troglodytes villages, cellars. A magic view from your bike over majestic chateaux surrounded by vineyards. Enjoy the local way of life where time runs slowly along Loire river and enjoy all the numerous local products.
Learn more about self-guided tours.
Day 1: Saumur
Arrival. Discover the pleasant town of Saumur overlooked by its 14th century château and famous for its National Riding School and its sparkling white wine.
Overnight in Saumur.
Day 2: Saumur – Fontevraud (27 miles/44 km)
This first stage will guide you through the Saumur Champigny vineyards producing very elegant red wines. You will make a stop at château de Brézé, well known by its impressive underground cellars ! Then, ride until Fontevraud and its royal abbey : an outstanding example of Romanesque art founded in 1099, considered as the most important monastic city of Europe. Dinner.
Overnight in Fontevraud.
Day 3: Excursion to Montreuil – Bellay (28 miles/45 km)
Enjoy the swimming pool of your hotel or visit the Fontevraud Abbey which houses the tombs of the Plantagenets Aliénor d’Aquitaine and Richard Cœur de Lion before making a pleasant excursion loop via the typical fortified village of Montreuil-Bellay and its château. Dinner.
Overnight in Bellay/Fontevraud.
Day 4: Fontevraud - Chinon (30 miles/48 km)
After cycling through the Fontevraud forest, discover the famous Chinon vineyards producing the red wine much appreciated by Rabelais ! After a stop at the château du Rivau which evokes the wonderful middle-Age stories and legends, reach the mediaeval town of Chinon, built on the Vienne river banks.
Overnight in Chinon.
Day 5: Chinon – Azay le Rideau (25 miles/41 km)
This itinerary via troglodyte wine cellars and vineyards will lead you to the village of Crissay sur Manse, listed among the most beautiful villages of France. Continue along the countryside roads until Azay le Rideau and its romantic Renaissance château, elegantly enclosed in its setting of water and greenery.
Overnight in Azay le Rideau.
Day 6: Excursion to Villandry and Langeais (27 miles/44 km)
Ride towards Villandry and its famous French-style Renaissance gardens matchless in Europe and composed of 3 superposed terraces. Then follow the Loire river on the “Loire à Vélo” cycling paths until the Château de Langeais offering a typical form of a medieval fortified castle.
Overnight in Azay le Rideau.
Daily: Mar 1- Oct 31, 2012 and 2013
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These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.
Day 1: Hotel Kyriad, Saumur
www.central-kyriad.com
Day 2 & 3: Hotel la Croix Blanche, Fontevraud
www.hotel-croixblanche.com
Day 4: Hotel Diderot, Chinon
www.hoteldiderot.com
Day 5 & 6: Hotel le Biencourt, Azay le Rideau
www.hotelbiencourt.com
Day 7: Hotel Kyriad, Saumur
www.central-kyriad.com
Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.
These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.
Day 1: Hotel Kyriad, Saumur
www.central-kyriad.com
Day 2 & 3: Hotel la Croix Blanche, Fontevraud
www.hotel-croixblanche.com
Day 4: Hotel Diderot, Chinon
www.hoteldiderot.com
Day 5 & 6: Hotel le Biencourt, Azay le Rideau
www.hotelbiencourt.com
Day 7: Hotel Kyriad, Saumur
www.central-kyriad.com
Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.
The bikes availabile are 21-speed men's and ladies' bikes. Electrically assisted bikes are also available. The bikes are equipped with two saddlebags, a high visibility jacket, an anti-theft device, a mapholder, a helmet, a counter and a repair kit. A cycling specialist will help you adjust your bike upon arrival.
The bikes availabile are 21-speed men's and ladies' bikes. Electrically assisted bikes are also available. The bikes are equipped with two saddlebags, a high visibility jacket, an anti-theft device, a mapholder, a helmet, a counter and a repair kit. A cycling specialist will help you adjust your bike upon arrival.
The tour is rated leisurely and is for cyclists in average physical condition.
The tour is rated leisurely and is for cyclists in average physical condition.
"We had a wonderful time, and everything went like clockwork, just like the other three previous trips (one in Austria, two in Holland) which we booked through your company.
"The route was lovely, along the Loire River and into the French farming country. We cycled peacefully through vineyards, fields of sunflowers, and small sleepy towns, seeing many chateaus, abbeys and old churches. The distance was about right every day for two amateur bikers like us, especially since France has more hills than Holland. I did have one problem with my bike and had to call the company, but it was handled well with no hassles.
"We hope to keep cycling in Europe until we can no longer pedal, and have recommended your company to everyone who asks us about our wonderful trips. Thank you."
- Nancy and Rick
2010
"We had a wonderful time, and everything went like clockwork, just like the other three previous trips (one in Austria, two in Holland) which we booked through your company.
"The route was lovely, along the Loire River and into the French farming country. We cycled peacefully through vineyards, fields of sunflowers, and small sleepy towns, seeing many chateaus, abbeys and old churches. The distance was about right every day for two amateur bikers like us, especially since France has more hills than Holland. I did have one problem with my bike and had to call the company, but it was handled well with no hassles.
"We hope to keep cycling in Europe until we can no longer pedal, and have recommended your company to everyone who asks us about our wonderful trips. Thank you."
- Nancy and Rick
2010
Tour start and end
Nearest airport: Paris, France
Nearest train station: Saumur, France
Tips on getting to and from your tour
Tour start and end
Nearest airport: Paris, France
Nearest train station: Saumur, France
Tips on getting to and from your tour
Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.
Get weather information.
Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.
Get weather information.
Loire Valley Travel has been organising cycling and walking tour packages in a large number of French regions and making its exclusive skills available to you for more than 20 years.
From 3 days to two weeks, our fully inclusive tours and trips allow you to take advantage of our France’s most beautiful regions on cycling tours . You are free to program the visits of sites as you please. Programs adapted to your own rhythm !
With experience and detailed local knowledge, our team ensures your comfort by selecting the best private hotels, where you will be constantly reminded that you are in a region where well-being and living well are key concepts!
When you book one of our tours, you can be sure of the tranquillity of an organised holiday planned down to the last detail before you leave (hotel reservations, luggage transfers, detailed itinerary and maps). Once you arrive, you have all the time you want to complete each day’s itinerary in total freedom and at your own pace, stopping where you like - you can choose from among the various sites suggested along your route depending on your interests (culture, cuisine, vineyards etc.).
Loire Valley Travel has been organising cycling and walking tour packages in a large number of French regions and making its exclusive skills available to you for more than 20 years.
From 3 days to two weeks, our fully inclusive tours and trips allow you to take advantage of our France’s most beautiful regions on cycling tours . You are free to program the visits of sites as you please. Programs adapted to your own rhythm !
With experience and detailed local knowledge, our team ensures your comfort by selecting the best private hotels, where you will be constantly reminded that you are in a region where well-being and living well are key concepts!
When you book one of our tours, you can be sure of the tranquillity of an organised holiday planned down to the last detail before you leave (hotel reservations, luggage transfers, detailed itinerary and maps). Once you arrive, you have all the time you want to complete each day’s itinerary in total freedom and at your own pace, stopping where you like - you can choose from among the various sites suggested along your route depending on your interests (culture, cuisine, vineyards etc.).
Any change to a confirmed booking will give rise to extra cost of: 39 euros per person.
For cancellation of a booking more than 30 days before the departure date, expenses will be payable on the following basis:
And for cancellations of a booking
The insurance costs are not refunded in case of cancellation of the trip.
CHILDREN REDUCTIONS
Any change to a confirmed booking will give rise to extra cost of: 39 euros per person.
For cancellation of a booking more than 30 days before the departure date, expenses will be payable on the following basis:
And for cancellations of a booking
The insurance costs are not refunded in case of cancellation of the trip.
CHILDREN REDUCTIONS
