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Cycle the Loire In Style

6 Days & 5 Nights 4.3 Read 3 reviews
  • Easy cycling through the Loire Valley staying in exceptional chateau hotels
  • Discover the elegant town of Amboise with it's half-timbered pretty architecture
  • Cycle country and riverside trails, through vineyards and apple orchards
  • Relax poolside at your superior accommodations and enjoy included gourmet dinners
  • Clos du Luce, the summer house of kings and former residence of da Vinci
Treat yourself to a relaxing 6 day cycling tour in the Loire Valley, staying in lovingly converted chateaux and former homes of nobility. Enjoy tranquil cycling on pretty riverside trails, small countryside roads and forested lanes. The most famous towns, villages and chateaux can be visited en route such as the 16th century Chenonceau and Amboise, an architectural jewel of the Renaissance. You will also find youself in peaceful places where you can absorb the hidden gems of "real France" visiting the local markets and perhaps pausing for lunch in a typical village of the region. Expect to see gardens bursting with colourful flowers and opportunities to try excellent wines in vineyards, or during your gourmet dinners each night - what more could you ask for on this In Style cycling adventure through the glorious landscapes of the Loire.
Explore the history of the Loire by day and in the evening enjoy staying in château hotels, selected for their gourmet dining, gardens and poolside relaxation. Graded easy, the daily distances range from 40-45 km on fairly flat, well-signposted cycle routes.

Tour Type:

In Style | After a day of exciting adventures and soaking up unbeatable scenery, retreat to stylish accommodations and unwind with fine food and wine. This trip type is for those who like sophisticated places to stay and are looking for active routes but still want the holiday to feel special.

Activity:

Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

Ideal if you have an interest in:

  • Accessible by Rail

Activity Level & Terrain

This cycling tour is graded easy and 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. Most of the time you will be cycling on quiet back roads and dedicated cycle paths. However, in order to connect the various routes, you will cycle for short distances on busier urban roads. Please do be mindful of all road users at all times.

Navigation

The route notes that accompany each itinerary give a step by step, turn by turn account of your route for continual points of reference, these are provided on our Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app along with maps and GPX tracks. Most of the time you will be cycling on quiet back roads and dedicated cyclepaths. However, in order to connect the various routes, you will cycle for short distances on busier urban roads. Please do be mindful of all road users at all times.

Accommodations

Each evening will be spent in a lovingly converted château hotel. All properties boast gardens, gourmet dining and a rich history of the Loire. We always try and accommodate you at the locations listed, but on occasion, especially during peak season, we may use alternate accommodation of a similar standard.

Single Rooms

If you require single rooms within your party or are travelling as a solo cyclist single rooms are available with a supplement. 

Meals 

Breakfast and dinner is included each day at your hotel apart from Fontevraud L’Hotel in Fontevraud l'Abbaye. Dinner is not included here, it's breakfast only.

A set menu dinner of gourmet cuisine is included for the dinners that are taken at your hotel. Dishes are locally sourced and are often feature a modern twist on French classics. 

Please note that although you can start this tour on any day of the week, there may be nights when the hotel restaurants are closed. If this is the case, you will receive a discounted cost as dinner cannot be included. There are other restaurants either within walking distance of your hotel or a short taxi ride away. You can ask your hotel to help you with recommendations, and we have also included recommendations in your Information Pack.

Lunches are not included although a packed lunch may available from your hotel. If not, we suggest picking up a picnic from a local shop or stopping at one of the many cafes or restaurants along the way.

Included
  • 5 Nights in 4* and 5* châteaux hotels
  • 5 Breakfasts
  • 5 Dinners
  • Baggage transfer
  • Transfer Day 1 Tours Train Station to Amboise
  • Transfer Day 6 to Port Boulet Train Station
  • Information Pack
  • Access to route notes, detailed maps, and GPS tracks in the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
  • 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office
Excluded
  • Travel to Amboise / from Chinon
  • Bike hire (standard hybrid or upgrade to an e-bike)
  • Lunches, drinks & snacks
  • Entrance fees for chateaux (payable locally)
  • Personal equipment
  • Travel insurance (required)
Extras
  • Additional nights along the route
  • Bike hire (standard hybrid)
  • Upgrade to e-bike hire

When To Go

This trip is available to start on any day of the week. However, there maybe certain days when the château restaurants are closed which means that the inclusion of dinner may not be possible. If this is the case your accommodation can assist with taxis into the villages for dinner and we will provide a refund for the cost of dinners that would normally have been included in the cost of your trip. 

Weather and Climate

During the summer months it can get very warm. We therefore recommend using plenty of sunscreen and taking plenty of water on days like these.

Getting to the Start

Paris Orly and Paris Charles De Gaulle airports connect to all major European and worldwide cities. From Paris (Montparnasse Station) it is possible to travel to Tours by train (approximately 1H15). From here an included private transfer brings tou to your accommodation in Amboise.

For full details of timetables visit Trainline Europe.

Getting from the End

From Fontevraud-l'Abbaye you can reach Port Boulet train station by taxi. From here you can take a train to Paris (Montparnasse) with one chnage in Tours and the journey time is approximately 2H15. 

For full details of timetables visit Trainline Europe.

Luggage Transfer

Baggage transfers are included in the price of your trip. We ask you to keep your baggage to a maximum of 1 bag per person (maximum weight 20 kg). If you require excess baggage allowance do contact us prior to travel.

General Information

Equipment

Trek 7.3 hybrid bikes are available for hire. All bikes are equipped with a pannier, trip computer and spare inner tube along with a pump. It's also possible to hire an e-bike for a little extra battery-powered assistance. For more information on how e-bikes work click here. If you’d like to hire a bike, please let us know your height and the frame size you currently ride. 

If you prefer to bring your own bicycle please ensure it is thoroughly serviced and is an appropriate hybrid or touring bike for this trip.

Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and trousers), sun hat and sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard cycling gear such as good shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Amboise and overnight Day 2 Loop ride to the Château de Chenonceau 28 miles / 45 km Day 3 Cycle Amboise to Montbazon 25.5 miles / 41 km Day 4 Cycle Montbazon to Saint Patrice via Azay le Rideau 26 miles / 42 km Day 5 Cycle Saint Patrice to Fontevraud l'Abbaye 22 miles / 36 km Day 6 Onward Travel

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