Castles, vineyards & gardens
Did you know that the Loire is the only large river in Western Europe that still follows its natural course? Not canalised or dammed, but a true winding river, with sandbanks, rapids — a natural habitat. This makes for a varied and intimate landscape that justly bears the name of The Garden of France.
Follow the cycling path ‘Loire à vélo’ from Orléans to Tours. You will ride on well-signposted cycle paths and minor roads with little traffic. And of course, you will ride along this string of jewels of beautiful castles, abbeys, historical towns and picturesque villages. Discover the royal valley by longing the majestic river from Orléans to Tours where thousands of treasures are waiting for you: historical heritage and testimony with numerous chateaux, wonderful landscapes of different natural areas, regional gastronomy delights.
Discover Orléans, the “City of Art and History” liberated in 1429 by Joan of Arc from the English siege.
Longing the wild river banks for a stage in calm and serenity through the charming and very flowered city of Beaugency.
Leave Beaugency by the river banks passing via the prestigious château of Chambord: the widest Château of the Loire Valley masterpiece of the Renaissance period. Then, follow the direction of Blois which presents a rich historical heritage with the château offering a brilliant illustration of the evolution of French architecture from the middle Ages to the 17th century.
Follow the small countryside routes until the chateau of Chaumont overlooking the Loire River, before reaching Amboise and its royal chateau from 15th –16th century. Few streets further on, is the last home of Leonardo Da Vinci: Manorhouse of ‘Clos Lucé’.
Ride through the vineyards of Montlouis to discover the numerous cellars that offer sweet white or sparkling wines. Then, enjoy the lovely chateau of la Bourdaisière, birthplace of Gabrielle d’Estrées, the favourite of King Henri IV. Continue to the heart of the city of Tours to discover the old quarters sheltering the famous 'Place Plumereau' and its half-timbered houses.
Your cycling holiday ends today. There is a good train connection back to the airport from the railwaystation in Tour.
France
A cycle route has been constructed along the Loire. This route is sign-posted. Cycletours has selected the most beautiful part for you to explore. The distances are never long, so you have enough time to visit a castle along the way.
Prices for 2024
Supplements:
Reservation costs € 25,- per booking
Contribution Dutch Guarantee Fund € 5,- per person (Insolvency Protection)
Per person in a double room category Standard (2* and/or 3* hotels)
Surcharge single room € 295,-
Half board € 245,-
Per person in a double room category Superior (3* hotels)
Surcharge single room € 440,-
Half board € 265,-
Per person in a double room category Privilege (3* and/or 4* hotels)
Surcharge single room € 615,-
Half board € 275,-
For all categories
Supplement solo-traveller € 195,-
"Chateaux" package, p.p. € 75,-
Extra night in Orléans (incl. breakfast)
Per person in a double room category Standard
March - October € 75,-
Surcharge single room € 55,-
Per person in a double room category Superior
March - October € 94,-
Surcharge single room € 75,-
Per person in a double room category Privilege
March - October € 155,-
Surcharge single room € 115,-
Extra night in Tours (incl. breakfast)
Per person in a double room category Standard
March - October € 75,-
Surcharge single room € 60,-
Per person in a double room category Superior
March - October € 94,-
Surcharge single room € 65,-
Per person in a double room category Privilege
March - October € 135,-
Surcharge single room € 119,-
Rental bikes:
Included
Not included
Special details
By car:
From Paris, take highway A10 Exit «Orléans centre».
For more detail, do not hesitate to visit: goo.gl/maps/QXqlS GPS point : N 47°89’79” / E 1°89’24”
About your personal car:
Possibility to park the car during your trip at the hotel (guarded & closed car park): 7 € per night
NB : to reach the hotel at the end of the tour, you have to go by train
From Angers station to Orléans station. For more information, do not hesitate to visit: www.sncf.fr
By train:
From Paris Austerlitz station Arrival Orléans station (town centre). For more information, visit : www.sncf.fr
From Orléans station:
by taxi : about 15€/20 € (day) / 20€/26€ (nights, weekend and bank holidays) by Bus : take line n°10 until Quai St Laurent (about 25 min)
by Tramway : take line Tram A direction « Hôpital de La Source » and go down at the station «Quai Royale Châtelet » (about 9 min), then reach by foot « Quai St Laurent » (about 5 min).
By plane:
From Roissy CDG airport : Roissy Charles de Gaulle T.2 train station > St Pierre des Corps train station > Orléans train station.
From Orly airport or Beauvais airport: taxi or shuttle transfer : Austerlitz train station > Orléans train station.
From Tours airport: taxi or shuttle transfer : Tours train station > Orléans train station.
From Nantes airport: taxi or shuttle transfer : Nantes train station > Orléans train station.
(Please note that the hotels listed are only examples and are subject to change. You will find your final hotel in the hotel list, which you will receive before departure)
Escale Oceania Orléans sits along the banks of the River Loire. It offers modern en suite rooms with a shower, a TV, and a 24-hour front desk. A full buffet breakfast is served provided every morning. and can be served in your room. There is also a cosy lounge bar.
Located in the historic centre of Orléans, this 3-star hotel is just a 5-minute walk from the Maison de Jeanne d’Arc. With a modern decoration, the soundproofed guest rooms all have air conditioning. You can enjoy a drink at the bar in the Hôtel d'Orléans.
Situated on the banks of the Loire River, Empreinte Hotel & Spa is offering a range of wellness facilities and a bar. A buffet breakfast, including sweet, savoury items and local products is served every morning in the breakfast room.
It is set in traditional settings fitted with classic furnishings and modern facilities. La Tonnellerie is a former wine-merchant's house located in a picturesque village near Beaugency.
L'écu de Bretagne is situated in the quiet medieval village of Beaugency. It features an outdoor, heated swimming pool, and WiFi is free of charge in the entire property. The air-conditioned rooms all have en suite facilities with free toiletries.
Located in Blois, 400 m from Blois Castle, Hôtel Restaurant Le Monarque boasts a restaurant and a bar. Each room is equipped with a private bathroom with a hairdryer. A buffet breakfast including cold meats, eggs and hot drinks is served every morning.
Best Western Blois Château is located 5 minutes from Blois city centre and 150 m from Blois SNCF train station. Each air-conditioned rooms is equipped with tea and coffee making facilities, satellite TV and a fully equipped private bathroom. All rooms have access to the executive lounge.
Mercure Blois Centre is located 500 m from Blois city centre. Guests have access to the fitness centre and wellness area, including indoor heated pool, a sauna, steam room and hot tub. All the air-conditioned rooms have a seating area and a courtesy tray with tea and coffee are also provided.
The Originals Boutique, Hôtel Chaptal, Amboise (Inter-Hotel) is located in the city centre of Amboise, near the Clos Lucé and Amboise castles, and the Loire River. It offers free WiFi access. All the rooms are soundproofed and air-conditoned. Guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast in the dining room every morning.
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 free WiFi access. Breakfast including fresh fruit, bread and cakes is served in the spacious breakfast room or on the terrace on sunny mornings.
Hotel Le Manoir Saint Thomas is located near the Château d'Amboise. It offers a large outdoor swimming pool with a terrace and sun beds, and a free bottle of Liqueur de Fraises. The rooms are air-conditioned and feature a traditional decoration.
The Citôtel Criden is close to the TGV railway station, the Vinci convention centre, historical areas. The hotel has 33 spacious rooms, all with free Wi-Fi access and a private bathroom. You can enjoy a drink in the bar and lounge. A buffet breakfast is prepared every morning.
Best Western Plus l'Artist Hotel is a 10-minute walk from the Old City centre and 150 m from the train station. A full breakfast buffet is served daily. Guests are invited to relax in the hotel's bar or on the terrace.
Hotel L'Univers Tours features accommodation with a bar, private parking, a spa and wellness centre and a terrace. Among the facilities of this property are a bistro-style restaurant. Guests are welcome to take advantage of a Turkish bath and a hot tub.
All rental bikes are equipped with 1 rear pannier (saddlebags 40l.), 1 front pannier with holder, 1 repair kit, 1 pump, 1 lock and 1 counter.
By this tours you can rent the following bikes:
Local hybrid 21-gears 10 days
Local electric bike 9-gears 10 days
Welcome
Your room is available from 3 p.m. on the day of arrival. Upon check in, you receive the following items:
– hotel vouchers for the other hotels
– luggage stickers
– the detailed itinerary of your trip day by day and colour maps
– tourist information about the area, cities and different sites you will be able to visit along your stages
– some information leaflets about the area.
Your stay is based on bed & breakfast. Normally breakfast is served between 7.30 a.m. and 9.30 a.m.
No lunch is included. As you will ride through villages where you could meet shops (butcher, baker, grocer’s shop, restaurants…) where to buy for your picnic.In your itinerary, you will see notes ‘Food & drinks’ which means that you will be able to meet shops on these places. If any notes are mentioned on one stage, you will have to look for food before leaving (some hotels propose picnic).
Also, keep in mind that generally, in small villages, shops are closed on Sundays and Mondays. This is why we suggest you have always some snacks with you!
Luggage transport
Please leave your luggage for the luggage transfer (1 suitcase or large bag per person) before 9.45 a.m. at the reception (do not forget to use the luggage tags). Usually you’ll find your luggage from 4 p.m. in the next hotel but at least at 5 p.m. Do not leave any securities or cash in your luggage.
The bike
For a successful cycling holiday it is necessary to have a good bike. If you bring your own bicycle check it carefully before departure. Pay special attention to tires, brakes and gears. If you bring your own bike don’t forget to bring a repair kit with you. You can leave your bike in the therefore intended place in the garage. Don’t forget to bring comfortable cycle clothing. Since 2008 you are obliged to wear a safety vest when you’re cycling in France outside the city area after sunset or at low visibility.
The rental bicycles can be requested at the hotel reception upon arrival. The 21-speed bicycles come with a map holder, panniers, lock, repair kit and pump, counter, bike helmet and safety vest. You don’t have to pay a surety but you’re personally responsible for your rental bike in case of damage or theft.
Itinerary
Itinerary, maps and information concerning this trip you will receive upon arrival. If there are any mistakes in the descriptions please inform so we can correct these for future guests.
Clothing
We advise you to wear comfortable shoes and various layers of practical clothing to be prepared for sudden changes of climate and temperature; don’t forget a K-Way or a poncho, both indispensable in the event of rain, besides a light jacket for cold days and evenings. Sunglasses, a hat, protective suntan cream and insect repellent sprays are important, especially in summer. Cycling trousers and gloves are advisable but not essential. Also remember to bring a first aid kit with you.