Loire Valley 7-Day Gentle

Loire Valley
7-Day Gentle

Embed Book Now Button

Overview

  • Tour DifficultyGentle
  • Tour Duration7 Days / 8 Nights
  • Daily Saddle Time2-4 Hours
  • Daily Elevation141 m (476 feet)
  • Daily Distance36 km (22 miles)
  • Total Distance178 kms (110 miles)
  • StartBlois, France
  • FinishChinon, France
  • Local AirportsParis or Tours
  • Tour SeasonMar 1 - Oct 31
  • Food & DrinkYes
  • History & CultureYes
  • Electric BikeYes
  • Family FriendlyYes
  • Leisure BikingYes
  • Solo TravellersYes

Overview

  • Tour DifficultyGentle
  • Tour Duration7 Days / 6 Nights
  • Daily Saddle Time2-4 Hours
  • Daily Elevation141 m (476 feet)
  • Daily Distance36 km (22 miles)
  • Total Distance178 kms (110 miles)
  • StartBlois, France
  • FinishChinon, France

Highlights

  • Château de Chambord: Marvel at this Renaissance masterpiece, famous for its intricate architecture and double-helix staircase.
  • Amboise: Explore the Château d’Amboise and the nearby Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci’s final residence, surrounded by lush gardens.
  • Villandry: Be enchanted by the Château de Villandry's spectacular formal gardens, a highlight for nature and art enthusiasts alike.
  • Garden of France: A wine enthusiasts paradise, sample your way through the appellations of Cheverny, Touraine, Bourgueil & more.
  • Chinon: Conclude your journey in this medieval town with its hilltop fortress, atmospheric old town, and famed local wines.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Blois

You arrive in Blois, a charming city perched on the banks of the Loire River. Spend the day wandering its cobblestone streets, discovering the Château de Blois, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture, and soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of local markets. Enjoy a quiet moment overlooking the river, preparing for the journey ahead. The evening invites you to sample regional cuisine in a cozy bistro, setting the tone for your cycling adventure.

Day 2: Loop Ride to Château de Chambord

Distance: 37 kms (23 miles) / Elevation Gain: 126 m (425 feet) / Saddle Time: 2-4 hours

Today’s ride leads you through serene forests and rolling countryside to the majestic Château de Chambord, a marvel of French Renaissance design. Pedaling along quiet lanes and shaded paths, you catch glimpses of wildlife and pastoral landscapes. At Chambord, marvel at its iconic turrets and intricate façade before returning to Blois, energized by the beauty of the day.

Day 3: Blois - Amboise

Distance: 42 kms (26 miles) / Elevation Gain: 239 m (805 feet) / Saddle Time: 2-4 hours

Cycling through vineyards and small villages, you follow the Loire River, its shimmering waters a constant companion. The route is scenic and tranquil, leading to Amboise, a town rich in Renaissance history. Explore the Château d’Amboise and discover the legacy of Leonardo da Vinci, who spent his final years here.

Day 4: Amboise - Tours

Distance: 25 kms (16 miles) / Elevation Gain: 120 m (405 feet) / Saddle Time: 1.5-3 hours

The ride today offers a mix of countryside and riverside paths, passing sunflower fields and picturesque farmhouses. You arrive in Tours, a bustling city where medieval charm meets modern vibrancy. Wander the narrow streets of the old town, discover its markets, and indulge in regional delicacies.

Day 5: Tours - Azay le Rideau

Distance: 32 kms (20 miles) / Elevation Gain: 128 m (431 feet) / Saddle Time: 2-4 hours

Pedaling through rolling hills and shaded trails, you enter the heart of the Loire’s castle country, of course stopping at the iconic Château de Villandry. The charming village of Azay-le-Rideau welcomes you with its tranquil setting and iconic château. Surrounded by the Indre River, the château’s reflection creates a magical scene you won’t soon forget.

Day 6: Azay le Rideau - Chinon

Distance: 42 kms (26 miles) / Elevation Gain: 93 m (313 feet) / Saddle Time: 2-4 hours

Your final cycling day takes you through vineyards, orchards, and idyllic landscapes. The approach to Chinon is unforgettable, as the medieval town and its fortress rise above the river. Chinon’s cobbled streets, atmospheric wine caves, and historic charm provide a perfect ending to your ride.

Day 7: Depart from Chinon

Spend your last morning wandering the streets of Chinon, exploring the fortress with its commanding views of the valley. Visit local wine cellars or relax in a café, soaking in the timeless charm of this historic town. Depart with lasting memories of your Loire Valley cycling adventure.

Map

Accommodation

All our accommodation selections are in-house reviewed. We partner with family-owned, charming guesthouses and hotels where you can relax and recharge. Below are some sample accommodations on our Loire Valley tours. Depending on availability, the accommodation you stay at may vary but will always be of a similar standard.

Blois: La Maison du Carroir

Enjoy a pleasant stay full of charm and relaxation in the center of old Blois. La Maison du Carroir offers you 4 large cozy guest rooms, each offering a different atmosphere. Savour locally sourced produce for breakfast in the sun soaked garden terrace or indulge in an evening meal by the dining room fireplace. All served with a warm smile, by owner Chantal.

Tours: LABE Hotel

A relaxed, no-holds-barred place, LABE Hôtel aims to be a caring place, where exchanges, interactions and encounters are given pride of place. A lifestyle hotel with 41 rooms and suites, including 2 for disabled guests, with a relaxed ambience and a friendly atmosphere to make you feel at home. A year’s work has transformed the hotel into a unique and original place that is sure to impress. Each room is unique, with different sizes, decorations and configurations to satisfy all visiting guests.

Chinon: Au Relais Saint Maurice

Within touching distance Chinon fortress, this bed and breakfast captures Loire Valley heritage like no other. The building of Au Relais Saint Maurice dates back as far as the 13th century and every effort to maintain it’s rich history has been made. With its sun soaked terrace, enjoy a fantastic breakfast stocked with local produce, served by the owner Maurice himself.

FAQ

What Is the cycle like?

This tour is in our Gentle difficulty grading. Consisting of a blend of cycle lanes, quiet country roads and forest trails. You’ll spend most of the ride following the Loire river (EuroVelo 6) and passing through the surrounding towns. This means that the route is largely flat with only a handful of brief ascents to overcome.

We offer hybrid bikes, kids bikes and kids trailers for this route. If you are having doubts about your fitness levels, we also offer electric bikes on this tour.

Is this tour for me?

This Loire Valley tour puts leisure and the slow life above all else. If you appreciate river breezes through your hair, quant country villages, long lunch breaks and plenty of time to explore the region’s rich history, this is the tour for you.

It is a perfect route for families and less confident cyclists, with largely segregated bike paths with some occasional low speed country roads. The route attracts large amounts of cyclists from all over the world, giving the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow riders too.

Tour includes

  • 6 nights accommodation in charming guesthouses and hotels.
  • A hearty breakfast each morning
  • Luggage transfers between accommodations
  • Detailed itinerary, GPX files and printable maps of your route
  • Tips on local attractions, history & evening meals
  • On call support before and during your tour

Tour excludes

  • Flights and transfers to and from the trail heads
  • Lunches & Dinners
  • Insurance
  • Bike rental (Selected on checkout)

The Bikes

You have a choice of bringing your own bike or renting your tour bike through us during booking. For the Loire Valley, the bikes available are quality electric or manual touring bikes. If an electric bike is chosen, it will bring the daily saddle time down by approximately 1 hour.

We only partner with the best bike suppliers for all our destinations so you’ll be guaranteed well maintained, premium brand bikes such as Cube, Trek or KTM.

All bike rentals come with helmet, lock and repair kit. A network of mechanics are on call in case of any mechanical issues faced while on tour.

What Is The Climate Like?

We offer tours in Loire from March – October. At the start of the tour season, the average temperatures in Orleans are approximately 9 °C (47 °F). This is the quietest times of the season to miss queues at landmarks and also the driest time of the year. Temperatures peak at 26 °C (79 °F) in July & August. Temperatures as high as 35 °C (95 °F) have been recorded, but these are quite rare. Please see image below for reference.

As you will be cycling through a valley, you’ll encounter micro climates where the weather can suddenly shift. It is recommended to have emergency wet gear packed at all times while riding. Precipitation in this region is typically infrequent but heavy in nature.

Is The Tour Easy To Navigate?

We include detailed navigation instructions and GPX files for your ride. Our navigation app is easy to use and we give a detailed instructional video on how to use it. If you are having any difficulty, we are on call at all times to assist you.

There is frequent marked signage on the routes to keep you on course, as well as many fellow cyclists on the route to steer you in the right direction.

What If There Is An Issue On Tour?

Included in your tour, is 24/7 message and video support. If you have an issue with navigation, bike breakdown, accommodation, medical, etc, we are at the touch of a button away at all times.

We have an extensive network of suppliers along the route, who will resolve the problem as swiftly as possible.

More FAQ

If you haven’t found the answer you’re looking for above, visit our general FAQ page for more information or simply reach out to us with the “Ask A Question” button on the side.

Reviews

Wish List

Adding item to wishlist requires an account

Price

Loire Valley 7-Day Gentle

From$1,112
0
Embed Calendar and Buttons


Tour Includes


3* or 4* Accommodation Throughout

Breakfast Each Morning

Luggage Transfer

Itinerary & Navigation Documentation

Tips & Local Insights

24-Hour Support

From$1,112
Book Now