Loire Valley Cycling

Our trip begins at Tours Val de Loire Airport (TUF) at 12pm. If you would like to join the complimentary airport transfer today, the latest your flight can arrive is 11.30am. We will travel together as a group by taxi to the tiny village of Chenonceaux, home to one of the most famous and beautiful chateau in France. There will be an introductory briefing and bike fitting this afternoon. If time allows there will be a short optional 10km cycle ride along the Cher River, for those who wish.

If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you may have time to wait ahead of our group transfer to Chenonceaux. If you wish to drive to the start of the trip, please ask us for parking details.

If you have booked an optional e-bike, you will be required to pay the €250 or £250 cash deposit and sign an agreement of care upon receipt of the bike.

We start by exploring the area around Chenonceaux. We ride east to the town of Montrichard where we can taste the food and wine of the Cher valley, view the 17th century Château of Gué Péan, this is a gentle introductory ride. Following the local back roads through small, quiet villages, this afternoon gives time for an optional tour of the large Monmousseau wine caves.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 35 kilometres (Total 166 metres ascent and 166 meters descent)

After the morning optional visit to the Château of Chenonceaux, we pedal through the village of Chissay into the countryside. We cycle though the tranquil Royal Hunting Forest and several pretty villages towards our overnight stop in Amboise. On arrival you may choose to visit Clos Lucé, the house where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last 3 years and now a museum dedicated to his life and work, or the Royal Château of Amboise on the banks of the Loire River.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 40 kilometres (Total 263 metres ascent and 263 meters descent)

A longer days' cycling on cross country routes via St Martin-le-Beau and Nitray to Cormery, a town famous for its macaroons, and then along the River Indre, with stops at Veigné and Artennes-sur-Indre.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 54 kilometres (Total 387 metres ascent and 387 meters descent)

We spend the day in Azay, where we can visit the château and walk in its gardens along the banks of the River Indre. For those wanting to explore further, south-east of Azay is the troglodyte village of Villaines-les-Rochers, now famous for its willow basketweaving. Or north of Azay is Villandry, with its beautifully recreated Renaissance garden, one of the finest in the whole of France.


Our total cycling distance today is approximately 38 kilometres (Total 214 metres ascent and 214 meters descent)

South-west of Azay, en-route to Chinon and situated between the banks of the Loire and the Forest of Chinon, is the Château d'Ussé - a truly romantic château and reputedly the setting for the fairy tale 'Sleeping Beauty'. On the north bank of the river are the vineyards of Bourgeuil, famous for their velvety red wines. A variety of routes to Chinon are possible, depending on your preferences.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 35 kilometres (Total 349 metres ascent and 349 meters descent)

Today we suggest that you walk through the cobbled streets of the old town of Chinon and up to the Fortress, where Joan of Arc identified the Dauphin, or ride the circular cycle route to the southeast along the River Vienne through the famous Chinon vineyards. Alternatively, you can take a westerly direction with the option to visit Fontevraud Abbey, which houses the tombs of the Plantagenet Kings including Henry II and Richard the Lionheart.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 43 kilometres (Total 272 metres ascent and 272 meters descent).

Departing Chinon, we drive 1 hour to Tours Val de Loire Airport (TUF) where we will arrive at about 8.30am and this is where our trip ends. The earliest your flight can depart is 10.45am.