Day 1 Tours
Arrival near Tours and welcome meeting in the romantic château hotel. Check in and first French dinner.
Day 2 Blois – Chambord 55 km
After breakfast we are fully motivated to start our trip. Transfer by bus to Blois. Visit the Château de Blois and cycle over the Loire to our first destination the Château de Chambord. You go through a huge forest, a wonderful cycle, until you reach the Loire’s largest chateau. It is unique in its size and splendour. Visit of the chateau with its impressive architecture. Return by bike along the Loire to Blois.
Day 3 Vouvray – Amboise – Chenonceaux 36 km
Short transfer to Tours and we start on a romantic path along the banks of the Loire River and after a short climb arrive at the vineyards of the Vouvray white wine Now the famous troglodyte cliff dwellings aren’t far. It is possible to visit them. After a longer path along the Loire, we stop in Amboise for a picnic. Leonardo da Vinci spent his last years here. In the afternoon the tour continues to Chenonceaux. Catherine de Medici lived here, after she got rid of Diane de Poitier. We will stay a bit longer in the Château de Chenonceaux and visit the impressive interior as well as the gardens of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici.
Day 4 Chinon – Fontevraud – Saumur 44 km
Chinon, known for its association with Joan of Arc, was very important in the Middle Ages and has preserved its historical character. In the impressive castle complex, which sits above the city, Jeanne d’Arc and Charles VII had their famous meeting in 1429.
From there, you cycle to one of the biggest monastery complexes in France, the Fontevraud Abbey. Many members of the house of Plantagenet are buried here, among others Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard the Lionheart. Our journey continues through the vineyards of Saumur to the town of the same name.
Visit the cave of one of the biggest Crémant producers and taste the delicious drink.
Day 5 Ussé – Langeais – Villandry 46 km
Admire Ussé, the chateau of the Sleeping Beauty. With its white facade it is a great contrast to the dark forest right behind it. From here you take the causeway and enjoy the view over the sandbar of the picturesque Loire river. More than 1,000 km in length, it is the longest river in France. Picnic next to the river followed by a stop at the Château de Langeais for a guided visit. We leave the Loire and join its largest tributary the Cher. Cycle along its banks to the château of Villandry with its unique and unforgettable Renaissance gardens and extraordinary and colourful vegetable patches, It is the garden of love and music.
Day 6 Vouvray – Vouvray 46 km
Today we cycle to the Renaissance chateau de Valmer, which is private with fantastic gardens. The cycle tour passes close to the charming troglodyte houses. Time to visit a small one to have an idea of what it means to live in the rock.
Oh well, the end came very fast. Last evening and dinner. Bon appétit.
Day 7 Departure
After a last breakfast, we have to say “Au revoir et à bientôt“.
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