(No availability) 5 Days Cycling Holidays in the Castles of the Loire Valley, France

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN AMBOISE

From Paris, you can take the TGV to Saint Pierre des Corps and then a taxi to Amboise. Transfer on your own and settle into your hotel. If you arrive early enough, take the chance to visit the nearby Clos Lucé or the Royal Chateau of Amboise. Orientation and bike set up by the night.

• Meals included: Dinner
• Accommodation: Various 2-star, 3-star, 4-star hotels

DAY 2: LOOP RIDE TO CHATEAU DE CHENONCEAU FROM AMBOISE

A short and moderately flat ride will take you through the forests and alleys of the Amboise countryside passing by the Parc Mini-Chateaux (great for kids) and then dropping down to the fabulous Chenonceau castle that must be discovered with plenty of time to visit.

Chenonceau has been erected by Henry II in the 16th century over the Cher river and improved by Catherine de Medicis. The castle hides several pieces of historical interest, furniture, and tapestries. For the long option, you will continue on to Montrichard, La Genaudière and St. Regle before returning to Amboise.

• Total distance: 36 or 50 kilometers, 22 to 31 miles
• Elevation gain: 131 or 349 meters
• Meals included: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Various 2-star, 3-star, 4-star hotels

DAY 3: CYCLE TO BLOIS

Depart from Amboise and ride through many small villages, stopping at privately owned chateaux on the way. For lunch, why not stop at the famous Gardens festival and Chateau of Chaumont for a picnic followed by a visit? Then you will either go on a short and quiet ride to Blois or choose the longer option riding through sunflower fields and deep countryside of the area to visit more chateaux such as Fougeres and Beauregard.

• Total distance: 44 or 68 kilometers, 27 or 42 miles
• Elevation gain: 229 or 467 meters
• Meals included: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Various 2-star, 3-star, 4-star hotels

DAY 4: LOOP RIDE TO CHATEAU DE CHAMBORD AND CHEVERNY

Today, you will again have two ride options. The short option takes you to the famous Chambord, where you can enjoy the magnificent architecture and unique features. Then you can enjoy a chocolate tasting in a chocolate factory in a nearby charming village before heading back to Blois with a stop at the Chateau de Villesavin.

On the longer option, after Chambord, you will continue south to the Chateaux of Cheverny, Troussay, and Beauregard. Those are easy rides on flat terrain, just enjoy the scenery imagining how and why the kings chose this area as their vacation place!

• Total distance: 49 or 63 kilometers, 30 or 39 miles
• Elevation gain: 212 or 306 meters
• Meals included: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Various 2-star, 3-star, 4-star hotels

DAY 5: DEPARTURE DAY

Today is departure day, you can take your time getting started in the morning to have breakfast and depart at your leisure from Blois by train for Paris or other destination.

• Meals included: Breakfast

road books

Your road books are complete packages of information that will help you to guide yourself through the itinerary that was planned and laid out. Discover France had invested significant time and incorporated the feedback of their customers over many years (since 1997) to make the road books even better. The road books include color maps, highlighted routes, touristic information, orientation points to reach hotels, and easy to follow directions (step by step).

Hybrid bike (SCOTT SUB Sport 20)

The SCOTT SuB Sport 20 features a sporty trekking geometry that suits trips of all distances. Equipped with a Shimano 30 speed transmission, integrated front and rear lights, a custom Racktime carrier and compatibility with Snap'it accessories, this bike is begging to go on an adventure. All sizes are available including small, medium, large, and extra large.

Electric bike (CANNONDALE MAVARO ACTIVE 1)

With its integrated rack, seamless assist, and comfortable upright position, the Mavaro is all about freedom: The freedom to enjoy weekend treks or trips to the store, the freedom to escape the car for the daily commute or the freedom to feel the wind in your face effortlessly.

Road bike (SYNAPSE CARBON 105 6)

Cannondale's carbon construction method uses precisely placed high stiffness fibers over a base of high tensile strength fibers and high impact resins to deliver an extremely lightweight and perfectly tuned stiffness, without sacrificing strength. All sizes are available for rent for 65 EUR including extra small, small, medium, large, and extra large with an approximate weight of eight kilograms.

Tandem (CANNONDALE Tandem 29ER)

This bike is a more upright and adventurous model that brings the strength, stability and smooth-rolling comfort of 29 inches wheels to the two-up crowd. This bike is available for 30 EUR.

Kid bike (ORBEA MX 20p or 24p)

The ORBEA MX 20 or 24 (or equivalent) is a truly functional bike for smaller riders who like a race-inspired style. This bike lets your children ride totally safe. This bike is available for 65 EUR.

Accessories included in Hybrid and Electric bike hire

• Two bags (one rear pannier and one front pannier)
• Rear pannier containing helmet / lock / pump / two spare tubes
• Handlebar bag containing toolkit / tire levers / patch kit
• One water bottle "souvenir"
• Odometer
• Flat pedals (toe straps on request)

Accessories included in Road bike hire

• Saddlebag containing toolkit / tire levers / patch kit / two spare tubes / one hand pump
• Helmet
• Odometer
• Lock
• Flat pedals (toe straps on request)
• Two water bottle "souvenir"

Accessories included in kid bike hire

• Helmet
• One new bottle
• Two tire levers
• One spare tube
• Patch kit and multi-tool

GARMIN Global Positioning System (GPS)

Since 2008, Discover France has mainly chosen Garmin for their GPS (or equivalent brand in some countries). They change the units every two years and always invest in the best models. It is simple to use, easy to read, yet sophisticated devices. The routes described in your roadbook are stored as tracks in the GPS unit. You simply have to follow the line shown on the GPS and enjoy. One GPS is provided for every three people.

Skill level

Beginner

• Can cycle for 2-3 hours
• Assistance required
• Comfortable with curves and leans
• Basic experience with unsurfaced roads
• Short distance ascents and descents

• Explore the fabulous Chenonceau Castle on your second day
• Stop at the famous Gardens Festival and Chateau of Chaumont for a picnic on your third day
• Enjoy the chocolate tasting in a chocolate factory on your fourth day

This cycling holidays will take place in Loire Valley, France. Only a short train ride south of Paris, the Loire Valley is recognized as a World Heritage site. Touring this French region, you ride from one amazing castle to another: Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise, and Villandry.

Although the Loire Valley is best known for its many castles, it also boasts lovely historical towns such as Chartres, picturesque villages, and many vineyards from which the Loire Valley wine is made. There are about 3000 castles in the area! The most remarkable castles are Chateau de Chambord, Chateau de Chenonceau, Chateau Chinon, and Azay-le-Rideau.

CHARTRES AND ITS CATHEDRAL

Chartres’s breathtaking cathedral is considered to be one of the best examples of gothic architecture in the entire world. It is, therefore, a UNESCO World Heritage site and its towers are listed as a French National Monument. Rebuilt on the site of a holy cathedral destroyed by lightning and fire, the Chartres Cathedral was designed and erected to honor the sacred relic Sancta Camisa, which miraculously survived fire and destruction unharmed.

GARDENS OF VILLANDRY

The gardens surrounding the Chateau de Villandry are often referred to as the most beautiful gardens in the world. Among the 15 acres of different gardens featured at Villandry, there is a water garden, vegetable gardens, and incredible ornamental flower gardens, all of which are strategically laid out in formal patterns and linked together with low hedges. Give your legs a break from pedaling, while you take a stroll through an assortment of picture-perfect gardens.

LOIRE VALLEY VINEYARDS

A trip to France would not be complete without a visit to the Loire Valley. Perfectly located nearby Paris, it offers visitors a chance to experience the natural beauty of the French countryside with quiet riverbanks and countless vineyards. The Loire Valley is known for its great wine, and cycling through the villages and vineyards you must go on a wine tasting tour!

AMBOISE AND ITS CASTLE

Amboise was once home of the French royal court and the royal castle became one of the favorite royal residences. It was rebuilt in the 15th and 16th centuries and introduced Italian style and taste into the Loire Valley. Nearby is a smaller castle, Le Clos Lucé, where Leonardo Da Vinci lived and worked for a few years.

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You will be provided with a daily breakfast at each hotel and one dinner on your first day. As you probably already know, the Loire Valley is a wine country. From the dry white Muscadet, Pouilly Fume and Sancerre wines to the light red Saumur, Bourgueil, and Chinon, the Loire Valley wines are famous worldwide. Don’t miss out!

The Loire Valley also offers some fine cuisine. Try the very typical Fricassee D'escargots Au Sancerre, snails cooked in Sancerre wine! And don’t leave without tasting the goat cheese specialties: the Crottin de Chavignol and the Valancay. Served warm on a bed of greens or in a cheese pie, they are delicious.

• 3-day self-guided bike tour
• Orientation in person with a local guide
• Guide / local contact support
• Detailed road book
• Comprehensive trip literature
• Professionally planned routes
• Technical and emergency support available at all times
• Hybrid bike hire
• 1 GPS Garmin Oregon for three people
• Daily breakfast and 1 dinner
• 4 nights accommodation
• All luggage transfers

• Airfares
• Lodging before and after the trip
• Drinks
• Additional meals
• Fulltime guide
• Travel insurance
• Excess baggage charges
• Any personal items

• A reservation requires a deposit of 20% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.