Days
Destination
France
The Loire Valley
overview
From its legendary wine estates and palatial châteaux to its stunning scenery and culinary traditions, the entire Loire Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll discover why it’s so prized as you ride between châteaux and visit the wine-and-cheese caves created by quarrying the stone that built them. Begin along the Cher River at Renaissance Château de Chenonceau, a vision of unmatched architectural splendor. Ride the vibrant streets of Amboise and visit Clos Lucé, a 15th-century manor-house museum honoring Leonardo da Vinci, who’s buried nearby. Stop in the tranquil and picturesque village of Limeray or watch wildlife in Autrèche, then stroll the gardens of Chaumont, the spectacular château that once belonged to Catherine de Medici. See the priceless antiques at Cheverny’s castle and the portrait gallery at the 16th-century Château de Beauregard. Just pack your appetite! You’ll have numerous opportunities for tastings at famed vineyards and enjoying meals of regional cuisine featuring local fish and game.
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| Biking | |
| 7 days, 6 nights | Trip Includes |
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| per person double occupancy Single supplement + $0 |
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| Call | 800.464.9255 to book this trip. | ||
Itinerary and Accommodations
Day 1
Chissay-en-Touraine
Arrival to Chissay
You are met at the Blois train station and driven about a half-hour to Chissay, to your sumptuous château hotel, with time to settle in and perhaps enjoy a swim before dinner.
Château de Chissay
Chissay-en-Touraine, France
This historic four-star château hotel set in 10 acres of parkland on the Cher River hosted 15th-century French kings, Charles VII and his son, Louis XI. Tastefully decorated rooms have individual mosaics depicting different periods in French history. The stately dining room in the renovated guard room features excellent cuisine from local products and an extensive wine list. An outdoor swimming pool is also on the grounds.
Day 2
St. Ouen-les-Vignes
Chissay to St. Ouen-les-Vignes; 27km/17mi
Gentle pedaling along the banks of the Cher brings you first to the superb Château de Chenonceau, 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. You may choose to have lunch here, perhaps on the terrace of the Orangerie restaurant, before heading off through the shady Amboise forest and on to Amboise, which hosts a large market on Sundays. If you don’t have time to explore the castle thoroughly, you can easily come back tomorrow. Your final stretch leads to the elegant village of St. Ouen-les-Vignes and a gem of a hotel beside the river. A warm welcome and fine wine and dining are served up by the husband-and-wife team of professional sommelier and artistic chef de cuisine.
Hôtel L'Aubinière
St. Ouen-les-Vignes, France
An intimate hotel with a lush riverside garden just outside of Amboise and near the wine town of Vouvray. Individually decorated rooms are spacious, light, and contemporary. Its restaurant, also run by the hotel-owning husband-and-wife, chef-and-sommelier team, is truly outstanding in a region of excellent food and wine. An 11th-century church is in the center of the peaceful village of just under 1,000 inhabitants.
Day 3
St. Ouen-les-Vignes
Layover at St. Ouen-les-Vignes
It’s just a 5-km ride south to the narrow bustling streets of Amboise. Here, you visit the flamboyant royal palace and the elegant Clos Lucé, a 15th-century 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. Or you may opt to take an easy spin along the River Cisse to the wine capital Vouvray. Wine-tasting possibilities abound, and you can also visit the Château de Valmer, where King Charles VII once stayed.
Hôtel L'Aubinière
St. Ouen-les-Vignes, France
An intimate hotel with a lush riverside garden just outside of Amboise and near the wine town of Vouvray. Individually decorated rooms are spacious, light, and contemporary. Its restaurant, also run by the hotel-owning husband-and-wife, chef-and-sommelier team, is truly outstanding in a region of excellent food and wine. An 11th-century church is in the center of the peaceful village of just under 1,000 inhabitants.
Day 4
Chitenay
St. Ouen-les-Vignes to Chitenay; 37km/23mi or 43km/27mi
Today offers a choice of routes depending on how far you want to ride. The shorter option takes you via the sleepy village of Limeray with its picturesque white church and impressive collection of statues, or you can head north through open countryside to Autreche, where wildlife is plentiful, so keep the binoculars handy! All cyclists then continue on to Chaumont—the spectacular château that once belonged to Catherine de Medici. Between May and October, it hosts the International Garden Festival with a different theme each year. A final shady riverside stretch takes you via the pretty villages of Les Montils and Seur and on to Chitenay, your home for the next two nights.
Auberge du Centre
Chitenay, France
An inviting ivy-clad hotel tucked into an elegant little village that is an ideal base for visiting the most famous châteaux in the Loire Valley. Rooms are bright and decorated in a contemporary French country style. A terrace, gardens, and wooden-beamed sitting area are pleasant for relaxing with a before-dinner drink in its fine restaurant with terrace dining, weather permitting. Blois and Cheverny castles are within easy cycling distance, as well as many wine-tasting opportunities at local vineyards.
Day 5
Chitenay
Layover at Chitenay
The 17th-century château at nearby Cheverny, with its wonderful white stone façade, is a popular day trip. The richness of its furnishings and antiques is breathtaking, and the gardens are superb. This château was used by Hergé, the author of Tintin comic books, as a model for the fictional Moulinsart castle, and a permanent exhibition is open for viewing. A longer option, a 50-km round trip, includes the magnificent Château de Chambord. Set in the heart of the huge Forêt (forest) de Boulogne, this 16th-century masterpiece looks as if it is straight from a fairy tale, and reflects the lavish tastes of its original owner, King François I. Today, the surrounding park has been declared a national nature reserve, protecting a range of wildlife, including deer, boar, and eagles. Or you may choose to visit the Château du Chaumont’s unique International Garden Festival—33 km round trip.
Auberge du Centre
Chitenay, France
An inviting ivy-clad hotel tucked into an elegant little village that is an ideal base for visiting the most famous châteaux in the Loire Valley. Rooms are bright and decorated in a contemporary French country style. A terrace, gardens, and wooden-beamed sitting area are pleasant for relaxing with a before-dinner drink in its fine restaurant with terrace dining, weather permitting. Blois and Cheverny castles are within easy cycling distance, as well as many wine-tasting opportunities at local vineyards.
Day 6
Chissay-en-Touraine
Chitenay to Chissay; 31km/19mi
This morning you head south past well-tended vines and sleepy hamlets surrounded by fields of sunflowers. You may choose to have lunch under the umbrellas on the terrace beside the fortified château of Fougèrs-sur-Bièvre, before an exhilarating descent takes you to the River Cher. The charming old quarter of medieval Montrichard is huddled beneath the 11th-century keep, with plenty of beautifully restored half-timbered houses as well as outdoor cafés to choose from. A final flat stretch of road follows the Cher back to Château du Chissay for a well-earned dip in the hotel’s pool!
Château de Chissay
Chissay-en-Touraine, France
This historic four-star château hotel set in 10 acres of parkland on the Cher River hosted 15th-century French kings, Charles VII and his son, Louis XI. Tastefully decorated rooms have individual mosaics depicting different periods in French history. The stately dining room in the renovated guard room features excellent cuisine from local products and an extensive wine list. An outdoor swimming pool is also on the grounds.
Guest Comments
Experience More
J. Burian, Pennsylvania, May 2012
We thoroughly enjoyed our first cycling vacation! The bicycles were comfortable and in like-new condition; the routes were scenic and pleasant to ride with minimal traffic, and the map/directions provided were detailed and helpful. Our local representatives were very friendly, knowlegeable and accessible. The accommodations were nicely located, the proprietors were very gracious and welcoming, especially at the smaller auberges. Bring your appetite and appreciation for fine dining. The evening meals are artfully and skillfully prepared, the food and sevice was absolutely beautiful and delicious!!! Bon appetit and bon voyage.