France : The Loire

Cycling The Chateaux Of The Loire

Trip code: C07LO 4.5 (10 reviews)

Self-guided cycling

7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 1+
Leisurely plus

8.0Kg CO2e

Navigation App

Optional
e-bike hire

SUMMARY

  • Perfect for cycling, traffic-free lanes, majestic forests, vineyards, poppies and sunflowers fields
  • Splendour of the 'jewel' in the Loire crown, the Renaissance Chateau de Chenonceau and Chambord the largest chateau in the Loire Valley.
  • Masses of history and culture: pretty wine villages, charming towns including royal Blois, more chateaux than you could imagine.

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

  • 7 nights accommodation
  • All continental breakfasts
  • Bike fitting and briefing at the start of your holiday
  • Navigation app
  • Bike hire included
  • Luggage transfers between hotels

TRIP DESCRIPTION

This gentle and unhurried cycling holiday follows a triangular route through the heart of the great Loire Valley. Highlights include the majestic chateaux of Amboise and Chambord, and the rich Renaissance splendour of Chenonceau. You'll pass vineyards, sunflowers fields and pretty, sleepy villages, before pedalling gently along shady riverbanks and out through open countryside abundant with wildlife.

On each cycling day, you'll have the opportunity to taste dozens of different wines - stopping at big wineries or village vineyards as the mood takes you - in a wine region more varied and diverse than any other in the world.

Terrain

This gentle and unhurried cycling holiday follows a triangular route through the heart of the great Loire Valley. Mostly on tarmac roads and sign posted cycling paths.

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DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

 

Day 1 : Arrival in Blois

Explore the cobbled streets, arcaded squares and impressive chateau of this pretty riverside town before dinner.

You stay at Hotel Novotel.

hotel details

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Hotel Novotel, Blois

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR


Located 5-minutes from the historic town centre of Blois, the Hotel Novotel is in the heart of the administrative zone. Opposite the Halle aux Grains, and is only 15 minutes by foot from the Château de Blois and Maison de la Magie, making it a perfect base for sightseeing. Completely renovated in 2018, each room at the Novotel Blois Centre Val de Loire is modern and comfortable.

Day 2: Blois to Amboise (42km/26.1mi)

Cycle through nice tiny villages to Chaumont-sur-Loire and its spectacular chateau, which hosts the International Garden Festival (May-Oct). Then continue on the 'Loire a Velo' cycling tracks before arriving at the charming town of Amboise where the greatest Kings of France lived.

You stay at Hotel Bellevue.

hotel details

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Hotel Bellevue, Amboise

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Shops
Mastercard
Visa
AmEx
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Minibar
Aircon
Safe


Situated in the centre of Amboise in the Centre region, this hotel is just 50 m from Château d’Amboise. It offers a terrace and a lounge bar and restaurant. Each of the soundproofed guest rooms at Hotel Bellevue is equipped with a flat-screen TV and free WiFi access. They also include a private bathroom with a shower or a bathtub. Breakfast including fresh fruit, bread and cakes is served in the spacious breakfast room or on the terrace on sunny mornings. Eggs, bacon and sausages are also provided. Drinks can be enjoyed in the hotel’s bar.

Day 3: At Amboise (45km/28.0mi)

Visit the flamboyant Royal Palace and the elegant Clos Luce, a C15 manor house where Leonardo da Vinci lived and worked for the last few years of his life. His workshops house 40 giant models of some of his most spectacular creations, the first plane, helicopter and tank, and the beautifully landscaped gardens bring life to his botanical drawings and geographical designs.

Alternatively cycle to wine capital, Vouvray, famous for their fine white wines and explore the troglodyte caves en route. Here you'll find wine tasting possibilities and the option to visit Chateau de Valmer where King Charles VII once stayed.

You stay at Hotel Bellevue.

hotel details



Hotel Bellevue, Amboise

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Shops
Mastercard
Visa
AmEx
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Minibar
Aircon
Safe


Situated in the centre of Amboise in the Centre region, this hotel is just 50 m from Château d’Amboise. It offers a terrace and a lounge bar and restaurant. Each of the soundproofed guest rooms at Hotel Bellevue is equipped with a flat-screen TV and free WiFi access. They also include a private bathroom with a shower or a bathtub. Breakfast including fresh fruit, bread and cakes is served in the spacious breakfast room or on the terrace on sunny mornings. Eggs, bacon and sausages are also provided. Drinks can be enjoyed in the hotel’s bar.

Day 4: Amboise to Chenonceaux (44km/27.3mi)

Gentle pedalling through the vineyards of Montlouis sur Loire will bring you to the superb Chateau de Chenonceau with its famous arches majestically spanning the river. Described by Flaubert as floating 'on air and water', it's arguably the most beautiful of all the Loire landmarks. This chateau was the scene of a famous rivalry in French history: that of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici.

Enjoy a walk in the heart of the Diane de Poitiers's garden, then the Catherine de Medici's one. Take a breath, under the shadow of one of the huge park trees, at the rhythm of the river murmur which will tell you stories about these 2 rival women.

You stay at Hotel La Roseraie.

hotel details



Hotel La Roseraie, Chenonceaux

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
AmEx
Pool
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Aircon
Safe


Ideally situated in the centre of Chenonceaux and just a 400m from the chateau, the Hotel La Roseraie, built in the 18th century offers comfortable rooms and a wonderful place to relax after a day walking or sightseeing with its garden and pool.

Day 5: Chenonceaux to Chitenay (40km/24.9mi or 54km/33.6mi)

Ride along the peaceful riverbanks of the Cher to the medieval town of Montrichard. Leaving the Cher Valley and enter the vineyards of Touraine via the Château de Fougères-sur-Bièvre a small fortified castle which perfectly illustrates the local building arts of the 15th century.

You stay at Auberge du Centre.

hotel details



Auberge du Centre , Chitenay

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
AmEx
Pool
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV


Tucked away in the elegant little village of Chitenay is the lovely ivy-clad Auberge du Centre, run by the charming Martinet family. Dinner is served either in the pretty dining room, or on the terrace.

The hotel has a pleasant terrace overlooking its pretty gardens and swimming pool (pool towels are provided; ask at reception), which are a real treat on a summer's day, as well as an attractive sitting area inside, complete with wooden beams and comfy chairs.

Access to the Spa area is payable locally at 15€ per person per day. Access is free to those staying in a 'Balneo' room.

Day 6: At Chitenay (47km/29.2mi)

Relax on the terrace overlooking the pool or cycle to the Château in Beauregard famous for its Portrait Gallery. Then continue your excursion to the rich and mysterious ‘Sologne’ with magnificent landscapes: beautiful forests sheltering game, ponds at every crossroads and small private châteaux hidden behind their vineyards or groves.

You stay at Auberge du Centre.

hotel details



Auberge du Centre , Chitenay

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
AmEx
Pool
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV


Tucked away in the elegant little village of Chitenay is the lovely ivy-clad Auberge du Centre, run by the charming Martinet family. Dinner is served either in the pretty dining room, or on the terrace.

The hotel has a pleasant terrace overlooking its pretty gardens and swimming pool (pool towels are provided; ask at reception), which are a real treat on a summer's day, as well as an attractive sitting area inside, complete with wooden beams and comfy chairs.

Access to the Spa area is payable locally at 15€ per person per day. Access is free to those staying in a 'Balneo' room.

Day 7 : Chitenay to Blois (40km/24.9mi or 50km/31.1mi)

Discover the famous sumptuously furnished Chateau of Cheverny. Inhabited by the same family for over 6 centuries, the Chateau, its gardens, its labyrinth and its Tintin exhibition will give you an unforgettable experience. Then, continue to the prestigious and largest Chateau de Chambord, a real masterpiece of French Renaissance period with its 440 rooms, built during the reign of Francis the 1st. Then, ride along the Loire riverbank before arriving in Blois.

You stay at Hotel Novotel.

hotel details



Hotel Novotel, Blois

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR


Located 5-minutes from the historic town centre of Blois, the Hotel Novotel is in the heart of the administrative zone. Opposite the Halle aux Grains, and is only 15 minutes by foot from the Château de Blois and Maison de la Magie, making it a perfect base for sightseeing. Completely renovated in 2018, each room at the Novotel Blois Centre Val de Loire is modern and comfortable.

Day 8 : Leave Blois

Extending your holiday

If you'd like to extend your trip with extra hotel nights we recommend: Hotel Novotel, Blois.

hotel details



Hotel Novotel, Blois

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR


Located 5-minutes from the historic town centre of Blois, the Hotel Novotel is in the heart of the administrative zone. Opposite the Halle aux Grains, and is only 15 minutes by foot from the Château de Blois and Maison de la Magie, making it a perfect base for sightseeing. Completely renovated in 2018, each room at the Novotel Blois Centre Val de Loire is modern and comfortable.

CHOOSE A DEPARTURE DATE

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These tour only prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from C$796.

TRAVEL DETAILS

Call now to speak to our specialist team at 0044 1606 720199 or email us at sales@headwater.com for enquiries or to book your trip.

REVIEWS

Always a good holiday with Headwater. Good activities in great places with well chosen accommodation

Patrick Sharp, 21 Jul 2024

 

We were quite late booking but Headwater were very helpful in finding us Hotels to suit. The Routes were great with only minimal on road travel. We were unfortunate in that one of our party became ill and was unable to complete the cycling part of the holiday. The bike company were very happy to collect our cycles from 2 different locations.

Kathryn Richardson, 14 Jun 2024

 

Great holiday except for the travel through Paris - the persistent problems with the navigation app detracted from the enjoyment of the cycling

Jeremy Harbinson, 11 Jun 2024

 

We were very happy with the organisation and communication from Headwater.

The amount of cycling per day was just right for us and the App was easy to use.

It was great that our luggage was waiting for us on arrival at the next hotel.

Alison Smith, 1 Jun 2024

 

A well judged trip with easy cycling and great places to visit

COLWILL, 12 Jun 2023

 

lovely but not too challenging cycling, good accomodation, food everywhere outstanding. All in all a great week

WESSELY, 27 May 2023

 

This holiday was a new challenge for us as we are occasional cyclists and normally organise everything for ourselves. The experience was just great! All of the arrangements worked perfectly and we had a fantastic holiday. The cycling was perfectly suited to our standard and the chateau and landscapes were magnificent. We arrived home and immediately grabbed the brochure to plan our next trip.



Mr Carter, 1 Sep 2022

 

A generally enjoyable trip slightly marred by a couple of issues which were not Headwater's fault. As part of the holiday booking, we paid for three 'gastronomic' meals in the places we stayed, where local alternatives were very limited but found only one of these could be remotely worthy of the term 'gastronomic' and we could have purchased the same meals much cheaper directly at the hotels concerned.

Mr Daking, 1 Jun 2022

 

Cycling per se was enjoyable. Very angry to be offered a family room at Chenonceaux when we are not related. Gastronomic meal on the last night never materialised.

Experience left a bitter taste.

Dr Sadler, 1 Jun 2022

 

We really enjoyed the biking adventure, we are not avid bikers, but found the routes a good pace for us. We did have one challenge because we did not receive our last days GPS map, so our advice to others is to double check to ensure you have them all before you go.

Mrs Clarke, 13 Apr 2022

 


Self-guided cycling

7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 1+
Leisurely plus

8.0Kg CO2e

Navigation App

Optional
e-bike hire

7 nights from C$2500

CHOOSE A DEPARTURE

Call: +44 1606 720199

 

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