Cycle the Châteaux of the Loire

Tour Type:

Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.

Activity:

Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling

Activity Level & Terrain

This cycling tour is graded easy to moderate with daily distances between 35 and 55km each day. It 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 other 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 to give you continual points of reference. 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 distance on busier urban roads. Please do be mindful of all road users at all times.

• 6 Nights in boutique B&Bs or 3* hotels
• 6 Breakfasts
• Baggage transfer
• Detailed maps, route notes & information pack
• 24/7 telephone support

• Travel to Blois / from Azay le Rideau
• Lunches
• Drinks and snacks
• Bike hire/helmet
• Entrance fee or gratuities
• Personal equipment and expenditure
• Travel insurance

• Bike Hire
• EBike Hire

When To Go

This trip is available to start on any day from May to October and is subject to availability. Peak months in Loire are June, July and August so we would suggest contacting us as soon as your plans are finalised.

Getting to the Start

Air: Paris Orly and Paris Charles De Gaulle airports connect to all major European and worldwide cities. From Paris it is possible to connect with Blois via train (approx 1hr journey).

Tours Val de Loire is located in the heart of the Loire and is serviced by Ryanair from both the UK and European airports. Journey time from Tours is approx 30mins by airport bus, with onward train services connecting to Blois (approx 1hr).

Ferry: The French ports of St Malo and Le Havre are an approximate 4hr drive. The popular port of Calais is also 4hr drive. Direct Ferries have details of route crossings and sailing times to the UK.

Getting from the End

Train: Onward travel to Tours is around 1-2hr journey time and from here regular services to Paris are between 1hr30mins and 2hrs30mins. For full details of timetables and costs visit The Trainline Europe.

Ferry: The closest ferry ports to Azay le Rideau are St Malo and Le Havre and are an approximate 3hrs 30mins drive. The popular port of Calais is a 5hr drive. Direct Ferries have details of route crossings and sailing times to the UK.

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

The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. 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.

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.

Many people also choose to hire an EBike. The added battery power provides assistance when required. For more information on how EBikes work click here.

If you’d like to hire a bike, please let us know your height and frame size you currently ride. Alternatively we’re happy to answer any questions you have about the hire bike.

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

Travel Insurance

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