Cycle the Chateaux of the Loire

This tour is perfectly suited to cyclists that are venturing on their first cycling trip or perhaps haven’t ridden for a few years. It is also well suited for keen cyclists looking for laid back pace on flat terrain. The route follows a combination of dedicated cycle paths, quiet riverside roads and urban roads, so please be mindful of other road users at all times.

This tour is graded easy-to-moderate. Within the tour, individual days may vary in difficulty - some might be a bit tougher or easier than the overall rating suggests.

Accommodation is a mix of boutique B&Bs and 3-star hotels. During the high season you might be booked into an alternative property not listed in your itinerary, though this will always be of the same or better standard.

Yes, solo travelers are very welcome. There will be a supplement because some costs, like transfers, aren't shared. Or if you'd like to book a single room, just ask. These are available for a supplement.

Breakfast is included each day. For other meals, you can eat dinner at your accommodation or explore the local town or village, and there are plenty of villages along the route where you can pick up supplies for a packed lunch.

You can start this tour on any day between May and October, subject to availability, with June, July and August being the peak months, so it's worth getting in touch as soon as your plans are confirmed.

Spring brings pleasant, warm days with the local flora in full bloom, summer offers hot days and plenty of spots for a riverside picnic, and by September the Loire is celebrating its wine harvest, so you may well come across a local festival along the way.

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg/44lbs per person.

If you require an excess luggage allowance, please contact us before you travel.

Navigation is straightforward using our app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone. Once on the trail you do not need signal for the app to work and follow your progress.

Getting to the Start
Paris's airports connect to all major European and worldwide cities, with a train journey from Paris to Blois taking around an hour. Alternatively, Tours Val de Loire airport, in the heart of the Loire, is served by Ryanair from the UK and other European airports, with a journey time from Tours of around 30 minutes by airport bus and an onward train connection to Blois (around 1 hour). If you're travelling by ferry, the French ports of St Malo and Le Havre are around a 4-hour drive away, and the port of Calais is also around 4 hours' drive (check Direct Ferries for crossing routes and sailing times) - from there, onward travel to Tours takes around 1 to 2 hours by train, with regular connecting services to Paris taking between 1 hour 30 minutes and 2 hours 30 minutes (check the Trainline Europe website for timetables and prices).

Getting from the End
Your tour finishes at Azay-le-Rideau. The closest ferry ports are St Malo and Le Havre, around 3 hours 30 minutes' drive away, or Calais, around 5 hours' drive (check Direct Ferries for crossing routes and sailing times).

You'll need your standard cycling gear. Bike hire comes with a pannier rack and bag, a pump, lock, a basic repair kit, and handlebar phone. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

Since you'll have your bike with you, shortening or skipping sections may not be easy. For the best local advice on transport options for cyclists, please consult your accommodation provider or reach out to our local bike partner, where applicable.

Your accommodation hosts can also help with local transport questions, and alternative transport details are included in your Tour Info.

We hire bikes suited to the terrain, including e-bikes for a bit of extra assist, in a range of sizes - just let us know your height when booking so we can get your frame right. If you would like to bring your own bike then, in the majority of cases, this is not a problem – please contact us to talk it through. We encourage all cyclists to wear a helmet, and it is law in many countries across Europe. We recommend bringing your own helmet for hygiene and safety reasons, however on most tours you can hire one.

The following bikes are available for hire:

Touring Bike: ARCADE. Models: Cottage (women's), Country (men's). Frame sizes: women's 45cm and 49cm, men's 48cm and 56cm. Weight: 15kg. 21 speeds, 3 chainrings. 700cm/28" wheels, semi-raised handlebar, Royal Country comfort saddle, aluminium frame, Shimano Altus rear derailleur, V-brakes.

Hybrid Bike: GIANT, Escape City Disc 2. Unisex frame in sizes XS (Liv women's frame), S, M, L, XL. Weight: 12.55kg. 8 speeds, 2 chainrings, 700cm wheels, straight handlebar, Giant Sport Comfort saddle, aluminium frame, disc brakes.

E-bike: PEGASUS. 36V 13.4AH 500W battery, Bosch electric motor, 8-speed hub, 700x32 wheels, weight 25.2kg, range between 60km and 140km depending on performance mode, with 4 performance modes.

Gravel Bike: BULLS, Grinder 1. Unisex frame, weight 14.2kg, 2x8 speeds, 28" wheels, mechanical disc brakes, lightweight aluminium frame and fork, available in sizes 49, 52, 55 and 58. Gravel bikes are only recommended for experienced cyclists who understand the riding position and have the physical fitness needed for this style of biking.

Tandem bikes are not available on this tour. Brand and model may vary depending on availability, and the minimum age for e-bike hire is 16 years.

Please provide the following information on booking: your height for bike sizing, and your head circumference if you'd like to hire a helmet.

Bike hire includes: a repair kit, a helmet (though we recommend bringing your own), a pannier bag (gravel bikes include a small frame and rear bag instead), a handlebar bag, a lock, lights, a water bottle holder, and a battery charger for e-bikes. We'd also recommend bringing your own phone mount.

Many people choose to hire an e-bike for the extra assistance, though do bear in mind that e-bikes are heavier than standard bicycles.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation