2023
Bike Tour along the Castles of the Loire

Bike Tour along the Castles of the Loire

Historical round trip from Tours

Tours – Chenonceaux – Tours

  • Garden of France with countless castles and manor houses
  • Daily routes ●●●○○
  • Altitude profile ●●●○○
  • Bestseller!

days
8

km / day avg.
60

On this bike tour along the castles of the Loire Valley you can look forward to pure romance and exploring the heart of the Grande Nation, which is steeped in history, as well as the much praised Garden of France. In this region France’s high nobility realised its architectural vision and left behind countless castles. The diversity and density of castles in this region is unparalleled. Not only the castles and manor houses are eye-catching, the dreamy gardens are also a true feast for the eyes. In addition, the charming villages and breath-taking natural landscapes will make your cycle holiday unforgettable. Be a part of our popular tour through the Loire Valley and go on a rendezvous with the famous castles Chinon, Chenonceau and Blois.

Itinerary

  • Booking code
    FR-LOTT7
  • Start / Destination
    Tours
  • Duration
    8 days / 7 nights
  • Length
    approx. 305 – 365 km
    Daily routes ●●●○○
    between 40 and 80 km, Ø 60 km
    Altitude profile ●●●○○
Biketour Loire Castles

Day 1: Individual arrival in Tours

Arrival in Tours, the historic centre of Touraine. The holy St. Martin was bishop here and Karl Martell defeated the Moors in 732, close to Tours. Right into the 16th century, the town was visited regularly by the King and his court. After damage from the war, the medieval town centre was carefully rebuilt, including the mighty cathedral as focal point. Reserved rental bicycles are parked at the hotel ready for you.

Day 2: Tours – Chinon, approx. 55 km

Starting in Tours, you first cycle to Savonnières. Afterwards, you go on to Villandy Castle, an impressive castle from the Renaissance. Along the Loire, your next château is to be found in Langeais, which closely resembles a medieval castle. Its furniture from the 16th century is almost entirely intact. Next, you soon leave the banks of the Loire to pass Château d´ Ussé and cycle on to Chinon, which is strikingly surrounded by majestic fortifications.

Day 3: Trip to Fontevraud l'Abbaye, approx. 55 km

Today, you cycle along the Vienne to where it joins the Loire in Montsoreau. The Montsoreau castle is particularly worthy of a visit. You soon reach Saumur, with its white tuff-stone houses and the raised majestic castle, also known as Perle des Anjou. Away from the river, the route continues to Fontevraud, the largest monastic complex in Europe. Past the house where the great writer Francois Rabelais was born and through the valley you return to Chinon.

Day 4: Chinon – Azay-le-Rideau, approx. 40 km

You have enough time to visit the Chinon´s fortifications, in which Jeanne d´Arc, played a significant role. Your cycle tour takes you through old vineyards to Crissay. The village counts as one of the most beautiful villages in France, with its old tuff-stone houses from the 15th and 16th centuries. You go on to reach the small town of Azay-le-Rideau on the Indre river. Right in the middle of the water is the castle, a Renaissance building famous for its interior architecture.

Day 5: Azay-le-Rideau – Chenonceau, approx. 60 km

You will be enchanted with the romantic river landscape of the Indre today, which accompanies you all the way to the small, pretty town of Montbazon. The route continues along the Chers to Bléré, a small market town, and then to Chenonceaux, which is home to one of the most beautiful castles in the Loire Valley. Women frequently determined the fate of this estate, which is why it is nicknamed the Ladies´ Castle.

Day 6: Chenonceau – Blois, approx. 50 / 80 km

If you choose the shorter route, you cycle along the Loire through the pleasant countryside of Touraine and past Chaumont Castle. On the longer route, the medieval Montrichard awaits you with its falconry; Cheverny, which is considered to be the most beautiful Renaissance building in the Loire Valley; Villesavin and finally Chambord, the biggest castle of all and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The destination in both routes is Blois and its royal castle.

Day 7: Blois – Tours, approx. 45 km + train journey or approx. 75 km

The route takes you along the river at a leisurely pace through this ancient cultural landscape. Of particular note are the apartments built directly into the limestone rock, and which are still lived in today. Amboise castle was at one time the seat of royal rule and once acted as home to Leonardo da Vinci. You now continue through the Vouvray area, with its vineyards famous for the Chenin Blanc grape, back to Tours. If you would like to shorten the last stage, you can take the train from Amboise to Tours (not included).

Day 8: Individual departure or extension of stay

Your tour along the castles of the Loire Valley ends after breakfast with individual departures back home. We are happy to extend your holiday in Tours if you wish.

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Dates / prices / services

Season times and prices 2023

Arrival on Saturdays and Thursdays from 01.04.2023 to 07.10.2023

Bookable dates are shown in the booking form. The season is dictated by the arrival date.

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Category B

Season A
01.04. - 14.04.
30.09. - 07.10.
from859 €
Season B
15.04. - 12.05.
09.09. - 29.09.
from929 €
Season C
13.05. - 08.09.

from979 €

Category A

Season A
01.04. - 14.04.
30.09. - 07.10.
from979 €
Season B
15.04. - 12.05.
09.09. - 29.09.
from1039 €
Season C
13.05. - 08.09.

from1099 €

All prices per person in a double room.

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Services

  • 7 nights incl. breakfast, national 2* / 3* level,
    category B (FR-LOTT7b)
  • 7 nights incl. breakfast, national 3* level,
    category A (FR-LOTT7a)
  • Luggage transport from hotel to hotel, no limit on the number of pieces, max. 20 kg / piece
  • GPS-tracks available on request
  • Cycle route description with maps (1 x per room)
  • Service Hotline (7 days, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
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Not included:

  • City or visitor's tax (if payable)
  • Train ride Amboise – Tours, approx. 6 € per person excl. bike
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Child reduction on basic price

discount-icon discount-icon-baby

From 0 to 5 years

-100%

discount-icon discount-icon-lego

From 6 to 11 years

-50%

discount-icon discount-icon-football

From 12 to 14 years

-25%

discount-icon discount-icon-joystick

From 15 to 17 years

-10%

Applies for accommodation in rooms with 2 full-paying guests.

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Additional Services

Additional bookable services

Category B
Category A

Additional fee single room

349 €

All prices are per person

Additional nights

Room
Breakfast
Category B
Category A
Tours
 DBL

65 €

 SGL

109 €

All prices are per person

Rental Bikes

Rental Bikes

Rental Bike
Rental Bike
99 €
E-Bike
E-Bike
239 €

Types of rental bikes

  • 21-gear unisex bike, derailleur gears with free-wheel (men’s bikes from 1.80 m)
  • Electric bike
Fittings

Pannier, handlebar bag, milometer, bike lock, pump, repair kit

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Rental Bike

21-gear Rental Bike

99 €

E-bike

239 €

Brief Information

  • Booking code
    FR-LOTT7
  • Start / Destination
    Tours
  • Duration
    8 days / 7 nights
  • Length
    approx. 305 – 365 km
    Daily routes ●●●○○
    between 40 and 80 km, Ø 60 km
    Altitude profile ●●●○○
  • Parking information
    Garage, approx. 50 € / week, payable on site.
    No reservation possible through Radweg-Reisen.
  • Note
    In France bicycle helmets are mandatory for children under 12 years of age. However, for safety reasons we generally recommend wearing a helmet.
  • Own bikes
    If you do not need a rental bike, please indicate in the booking form, whether you arrive with your own bike or your own E-Bike.
  • Tour operated by
    Local cooperation partner
  • Mobility note
    This holiday is suitable to only a limited extent for people with restricted mobility.
    Please contact us if you have individual requirements.
Bike Tour along the Castles of the Loire

days
8

km / day avg.
60