Grand Loire Cycle Tour

Individual arrival to Orleans in the heart of the Loire Valley, Orleans is Jeanne D’Arc’s homeland.

Today you begin your cycle tour along the Loire, cycling along lovely cycle paths and side roads. Soon you can visit the Cathedral of Clery St. Andr. Afterwards, you will arrive at the castles of Meung sur Loire and Chateau Dunois. In Beaugency you can admire the beautiful medieval centre.  St Dye is a little hidden jewel with an ancient harbour.

Today’s ride will first take you to Chambord. The huge park surrounding Chambord Castle is worth exploring. The huge white Chateaux is one of the Loire’s most visited and a walk through the grand rooms is not to be missed. The very special spiral staircase is pretty unique.  After your visit, you cycle through the park to Cheverny Castle. The rooms are lavishly furnished but not on the same scale as Chambord. One last ride to the Chateau of Beauregard through the forest of Beauregard before your eventual arrival to Blois.

Before setting out on your ride today visit the city of Blois with its impressive castle. Then you cycle through forests to the town of Onzain. Here it is possible to visit Chateau Chaumont built on the top of a hill overlooking the river. Then you continue east along the back roads to Amboise. In Amboise, you should not miss the house where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last years of his life.

Today you first head south through the forest of Amboise until you arrive at Chenonceaux, known as the Chateau of the three ladies. Its impressive rooms nearly straddle the river. You then continue cycling along the river Cher till the city of Tours. You might also decide to stop for a visit to the castle of Nitray with its famous wine cellars.

Today between the Loire and the Cher rivers you arrive at Villandry Castle, well known for its gardens. From Chateau Villandry to cycle away from the Loire to the Castle of Azay Le Rideau. This chateau is pretty unique in the Loire and well worth a visit. Now you head back towards the Loire to Usse and its castle of the Sleeping Beauty. Now a short undulating section will take you to Chinon.

The tour continues along country roads beyond the confluence between the rivers the Loire and Vienne arriving at Savigny en Vron and the jewels of Candes St-Martin. A few kilometres away there is the castle of Montsoreau. Now you head away from the Loire to Fontevraud and its huge Abbey. Now it is time to cycle east for the last time passing vineyards and fruit fields to Saumur. Saumur with its impressive white Chateau is considered the “Pearl of Anjou”.

Depart after breakfast.