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Cycling holidays Castles on river Loire

Touring bike & e-bike
8 Days / 7 Nights
Self-guided tour
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from
1'009.- CHF
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La Route Royale

There are no limits to the romance of the Loire Valley. The cycle tour starts in Tours, a pretty town between the Cher and Loire rivers. Cultural wealth, rural charm and romantic architecture: these three terms best describe a tour on two wheels through France. In between all the famous castles of the Loire you cycle through the charming landscape from city to city. Always taking centre stage: the culture! Kings, feudal lords and court ladies once enjoyed a noble life here.

Today you can explore the historical residences and be transported back in time. Would you like an extra helping of history? Then come with us on a cycle tour over La Route Royale! The castles Langeais, Ussé, Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau – to name but a few – form the dream route ‘La Route Royale’. The first-class mix of unmistakable architecture and impressive landscapes make the cycle tour to the castles of the Loire an unforgettable experience.

Cycling holidays Castles on river Loire
medium
Touring bike & e-bike
8 Days / 7 Nights
Self-guided tour
from
1'009.- CHF
Calculate price
Book now Book

Itinerary

Discover the historic old town and the imposing castle, already the kings of France were magically attracted to this place.

The river flows between the gold shimmering sandbanks in a leisurely manner. Typical of this area are the rock housings, which are directly built into the soft lime stones. Sometimes, only the rising smoke reveals their existence. You cross the Loire in order to appreciate the most royal of all the Loire Castles: Castle Ambois. It accommodated five kings and a Roman emperor.

In addition, a genius of the 16th century attracts your attention – Leonardo da Vinci, who spent his last years in Ambois. On the Loire Cycle Path you keep cycling on to Tours. Alternatively take the train (independently) from Amboise and hence cut the stage short by about 30 km.

The river Cher leads you directly to the castle Villandry with its terraced gardens. Certainly, you should not miss paying a visit to this famous installation. Every visitor will be amazed by the shadowy footpaths, the flower-bedecked bowers, the fountains and the artistically laid out vegetable gardens.

Some kilometres further on you will exchange the bank of the Cher for the bank of the famous Loire. And again you will be tempted by the next castle – Langeais. From the top of the fortified tower (this castle exclusively served for military purposes) you will see the river and its whole surroundings lying in front of you. On the verge of the dark and mysterious forest of Chinon rises the castle of Ussé, the castle of the Sleeping Beauty. Via small villages and on side roads you will reach today’s destination – Chinon.

The river Vienne initially leads you into the little village of Candes-St-Martin. At the place of death of Saint Martin an amazing Romanesque church was built. In Montsoreau the river Vienne joins the mighty river Loire – an impressive nature spectacle. The ‚Cave Gardens‘ feature a length of over 800 km. You cycle through neat vineyards to Fontevraud l'Abbaye. Nowhere else in the world will you come across a medieval monastery complex so completely preserved as Fontevraud. Now follows a ‚literary return journey‘ to Chinon. Your route leads you past the birth place of the distinguished author Francois Rabelais, as well as through the valley where the plot of his famous book "Gargantua" takes place.

You leave Chinon with its medieval alleyways clustered between river and castle headed North. The route leads you through old vineyards and remote villages to Crissay, with its houses dating back to the 15th century it is considered one of the most beautiful villages in France. Naturally again today you get to marvel at yet another palace, in fact a grade A specimen: Azay-le-Rideau, a Renaissance palace featuring peak perfection. ‚A diamond with a thousand facets, set by the river Indre‘, according to the words of Balzac. What else is there to say? You spend the night directly in the village and hence have the opportunity to enjoy the magic of the palace together with its cultural events.

There is another highlight in store: this time concerning nature. Through the romantic river landscape, steadily following the Indre, you will reach Montbazon. A short ascent awaits you. By pedalling really hard over a mountain ridge you reach the Cher Valley.

On meadow paths and along the Cher you go to Bléré, a small market town. For many visitors the Castle of Chenonceaux is the topping on the cake. A magnificent, double floored bridge gallery goes over the river. But before the lovely palace garden will enthuse your eyes. But see and discover on your own.

Today you have to choose between two tour variants: the shorter stage takes you through the lovely landscape of the Touraine to the Castle Chaumont, and then on romantic paths along the Loire to Blois. After moving into your hotel room you will go out on reconnaissance! The Castle Blois with its galleries, projected balconies and bay windows could be your destination.

Or there is the second, longer variant for all lovers of the Loire Castles: via Montrichard, Cheverny, Villesavine to the Castle Chambord. As far as the eye can see the ‘Domaine de Chambrod’ stretches here. Already from a distance, you can see the walls of the biggest and most magnificent residence on the Loire shimmering through the trees. It is the immortal legacy of a disloyal king. You are spoilt for choice!

Day
8
Departure or extension

Tour character

Mainly flat on cycle paths and low traffic secondary roads with almost consistently very good signposting. The terrain in the vineyards is somewhat more hilly and there are also a few short ascents to tackle.

medium

 

Prices & dates

Category A: 3* hotels (french classification)
Category B: 2* and 3* hotels (french classification)

Prices per person in CHF

Services & Information

Included:

  • Accommodation in your selected category incl. breakfast
  • Daily luggage transfer
  • Carefully elaborated route
  • Detailed tour documents 1x per room (German, English, French)
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data
  • Service hotline

Note:

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Bike rental including rental bike insurance
  • Reservation fee of CHF 20.- per adult (incl. legally required customer money protection)

Arrival/Parking/Departure:

  • Blois Train station
  • Paris airport
  • Public garage costs approx. CHF 35.- per week, no reservation possible

Other important information:

  • The distance travelled is approximate and may differ from the actual distance
  • Travel cancellation insurance, including travel interruption insurance is recommended

Our rental bikes

Eurobike unisex rental bike with 21 gears
Unisex bike 21/24-speed

With this high-quality touring bike you are well equipped for all our trips.

Height: approx. 148 cm - 190 cm

 

43 cm
46 cm
51 cm
56 cm
Eurobike Rental Bike PLUS
Rental bike PLUS 20/27-speed

Sportier, lighter and more precise premium bike with diamond frame.

Body height: approx. 155 - 205 cm

 

46 cm
50 cm
51 cm
55 cm
60 cm
63 cm
Eurobike e-bike rental from KTM
Unisex 8-speed electric bike

High-quality unisex electric bike with comfortable low entry.

Body height: approx. 148 - 195 cm

 

46 cm "xs"
46 cm
51 cm
56 cm

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