Cycle the Loire Valley
Cycle the Loire Valley
Cycle the Loire Valley
7 Days Starting in Blois and ending in Saumur
Visiting: France
Tour operator:
Tour code:
MLV
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 16
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans
Tour operated in:
EnglishActivities:
Tour Overview
From magnificent chateaux steeped in Renaissance history to world-renowned vineyards, the Loire Valley is a dream destination for a gentle cycling adventure. On this trip, we ride sections of the Loire à Vélo, a scenic cycling route tracking the Loire river past orchards, vineyards and small villages. Starting in Blois and finishing in Saumur, we take in a host of architectural treasures, including the fairytale Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire and the river-spanning Château de Chenonceau, not to mention enjoying multiple wine tastings along the way.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start In Blois; Welcome Dinner
Meals Included: Dinner
The adventure starts in Blois, a charming small town on the banks of the Loire river. If you have time, make sure to explore the cobbled streets and beautiful gardens here. There will be a welcome briefing and group dinner in the evening, where we meet each other for the first time and discuss the adventures to come.
Accommodation: Novotel Blois Centre Val de Loire (or similar)
Day 2 : Cycle From Blois To Château De Chambord
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
We leave Blois and follow the Loire river on cycle paths to the village of Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire, a port town used during the construction of the Château de Chambord. We cross the expansive castle estate until reaching the chateau itself. Built under the reign of François I, it is a true masterpiece of the French Renaissance movement. After free time in Chambord, we continue cycling through the Sologne region taking quiet roads and paths before returning to Blois.
Accommodation: Novotel Blois Centre Val de Loire (or similar)
Day 3 : Cycle From Blois To Amboise, Wine Tasting In Amboise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we follow the Loire à Vélo through tiny villages to the fairytale castle of Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire, which dominates the Loire river and the little town, before reaching the city of Amboise and its royal chateau. Here we visit the Château du Clos Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci lived for the last three years of his life. There is free time to explore the history of the great man.
Before going to the hotel, we stop for a wine tasting in a Loire cellar. The sommeliers will show you tasting techniques and let you sample five wines, including an old vintage. They will explain how to match food and wine, and present the products with a gourmet selection from an aperitif plate to accompany the tasting.
Accommodation: Best Western Le Vinci Loire Valley (or similar)
Day 4 : Cycle From Amboise To Vouvray; Wine Tasting In Vouvray; Transfer To Chinon
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we follow the river once more, before cycling up the banks to reach the Vouvray vineyards, which are lined with troglodyte houses. These beautiful cave-like homes carved into limestone have been used for hundreds of years as dwellings by the locals. We can also admire private Renaissance castles, such as the Château de Valmer. After lunch, Maison Brédif welcomes you to the majestic site of its 10th-century troglodyte cellars for an exclusive visit. After discovering this heritage, you are welcomed in the Pavillon Fines Bulles, a warm and welcoming house for a tasting of five wines.
We then transfer by minibus to Chinon (approximately one hour); on the way, we see Château de Chenonceau, which majestically spans the river Cher. Here there is free time to explore this stunning property and beautiful gardens.
Accommodation: Rive Sud Hotel (or similar)
Day 5 : Excursion To Château Du Rivau And Chinon Vineyards
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today’s cycling takes us to the little church of Notre Dame, hidden in the village of Rivière, where we see magnificent 11th-century murals. We continue to Château du Rivau, which looks like it’s been plucked from the stories and legends of the Middle Ages, before riding through the most prestigious Chinon vineyard of Cravant les Côteaux.
Once back in Chinon, we enjoy a cellar visit for another wine tasting. From the first wine to the finest cuvées, the grapes are harvested with the greatest care by hand. With no chemical yeast, no chaptalisation and no other additions, the grapes are slowly transformed into wine that reflects the land in which they come from. In this unusual place, where wine breathes, you can taste all the estate's vintages.
Accommodation: Rive Sud Hotel (or similar)
Day 6 : Cycle From Chinon To Saumur
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is the weeks longest cycling day as we follow the Loire à Vélo to the village of Candes-Saint-Martin (where you can visit the magnificent 12th and 13th-century collegiate church) and the beautiful village of Montsoreau. We have time to visit Fontevraud Abbey before cycling mostly uphill past troglodytic sites and vineyards before arriving in the historic town of Saumur.
Accommodation: Le Londres Hotel (or similar)
Day 7 : End In Saumur
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our cycling adventure across the Loire Valley ends after breakfast. However, if you’d like to spend more time exploring this beautiful part of France, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
What's Included
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All breakfasts, four lunches, two dinners
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Three wine tastings
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All accommodation
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All transport and listed activities
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Tour leader throughout
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Group arrival and departure transfers available
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Visas or vaccinations
Food
All breakfasts, four lunches and two dinners are included.
For breakfast, the hotels offer a wide choice of cereals, fruit, cheeses and cold meats and a selection of drinks (tea, coffee, milk and fruit juice).
Four picnic lunches are included, prepared by the guide or assistant guide. Picnics are an important part of a day’s cycling, and we’ve selected a few products from the Loire Valley for you to try during your stay: rillons from Touraine, rillettes from Tours and goat cheeses (Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine, Selles-sur-Cher, Valencay) accompanied in moderation by Loire wines. We are committed to offering quality regional products on this trip, chosen whenever possible from local producers and including a proportion of organic food. We also aim to reduce packaging (particularly plastic) and recycle what remains.
The two dinners are taken in a restaurant with a set menu comprising a starter, main course and dessert. The restaurants were selected to help you explore French gastronomy, including local specialities.
Vegetarians can be fairly easily accommodated in this area of France; however, vegans may find the variety of dishes available is rather limited.
Accommodation
Each hotel has a unique character and is ideally situated to provide a memorable experience. The accommodations we usually use are listed below.
Blois: Novotel Blois Centre Val de Loire (nights 1-2)
Amboise: Best Western Le Vinci Loire Valley (night 3)
Chinon: Rive Sud Hotel (nights 4-5)
Saumur: Le Londres Hotel (night 6)
Check out our Q&As
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.