Trip description Cycle amongst the Loire valley châteaux from Blois to Tours From Blois to Tours, ride along the Loire à vélo cycling paths and discover France s most prestigious chateau de la Loire. The Loire Valley is on the Unesco World Heritage List and is perfect for a cycling holiday. Destination France Location Loire Valley Duration 8 day s Dif f iculty Lev el Very easy Validity From 1st of April to 5th of No M inimum age 1 y ear Ref erence L0701 Ty pe of stay itinerant trip Itinerary
From Blois to Tours, ride along the Loire à vélo cycling paths and discover France s most prestigious chateau de la Loire: Blois, Chambord, Amboise, Cheverny, Beauregard, Chaumont, Le Clos-Lucé, Chenonceau... The Loire Valley is on the Unesco World Heritage List and is perfect for a cycling holiday: cycling paths and roads take you across forests, plains and vineyards on a flat itinerary. Day after day, your cycle tour reveals the wonders of this enchanting area: the magic of Chambord, the delicious Loire wines tasting, the medieval town in Tours and the iconic chateau de Chenonceau. This bike trip combines on a wonderful way the beautiful landscape, the unmissable chateaux de la Loire and the delicious French cuisine. Day 1 Arrival in Blois Walk your way through Blois old town, its old paved streets and all small stairs. Discover the charms of Blois castle, which was the stage of many court plots and particularly the spiral staircase is an architectural marvel. Day 2 Blois - Ch everny 24/40/68km 3 route options Enter chateau de Chambord s magnificent forest and take a peek at the sculpted salamanders engraved on the walls of 24/40/68km Loire s most extravagant castle. Enjoy the shade of the hundred years old trees, then ride along the Cosson creek to the château de Cheverny. This should bring up some memories, if you ever read Tintin: it was the inspiration for Moulinsart castle. Day 3 Ch everny - Mosnes 39/46km 2 route options Stroll inside the château de Beauregard with its gallery of 327 portraits of famous European leaders that forged history 39/46km between the 14th and the 17th century. Or choose to ride through vineyards before arriving in front of the drawbridge of Fougères-sur-Bièvre stronghold. Follow the toues (traditional boats) along the Loire to Chaumont-sur-Loire. This place is famous for its fairytale castle but also for its International Garden Festival which displays talented creations. Then, you continue your bike ride to the village of Mosnes, near to Chaumont-sur-Loire. Day 4 Mosnes - Amboise 11km Ride directly to the beautiful city of Amboise and let the medieval atmosphere of this city seduce you. Discover the architecture of the 11km château d Amboise, which is iconic of the transition period from Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Day 5 Amboise Let the medieval atmosphere of this city seduce you. Admire the machines designed by Leonard da Vinci which are surprisingly up-to-date in Clos-Lucé, the last place where he lived and died.
Day 6 Day trip to the castle of Ch enonceau 45/70km Through the forest and along the river s banks you reach one of the most iconic châteaux de la Loire, the chateau de 45/70km Chenonceau overlooking the Cher river. You can continue along the Cher banks to the underground city near Bourré. 2 route options Day 7 Amboise-T ou rs 26/34km 2 route options To reach Tours old town and its halftimbered houses, you can choose between two wine routes. The first leads you through 26/34km Vouvray s sparkling wine wineyards and the second along Montlouis-sur-Loire white wine domains. DAY 8 Departure from Tours Discover the charming old neighborhood in Tours boasting many half-timbered houses. Stroll around and visit Saint-Gatien cathedral, the Wilson bridge and Plumereau square. If you want the regional train takes you back to your starting point or you can also extend your stay. Accommodation Category A You stay in hotels with ** standards offering all the necessary comfort after a day outdoors. These family hotels welcome you warmly. Breakfast is included. * Example of the type of accommodation
Category B You stay in hotels with *** standards or bed & breakfasts selected for their style and quality. Breakfast is included. * Example of the type of accommodation Category C You stay in small castles, ****hotels or charming bed and breakfasts where you can enjoy the "vie de château" in an exceptionnal environment. They are selected for their impeccable service. Breakfast is included. * Example of the type of accommodation Practical information To get to departure point: By plane: flight to Paris or Tours and then train to Blois. By train: inter-regional trains from Paris-Austerlitz station (direct or 8min connection in Orléans). The duration of the trip is from 1h20 to 2h00. Or TGV (fast trains) from Paris Montparnasse and connection in Saint-Pierre-des-Corps to take a regional train to Blois. The duration of the trip is about 2h00. To plan your trip, www.raileurope.com. Parking If you drive to Blois, you can park your car in a secured car park located in the city center, close to your accommodation and the train station. The daily rate is 5,5 and decreases depending on the duration. The location and contact details of the car park will be given in your travel documents. To get back to starting point: Regional trains take you back to your starting point if you wish. They are accessible without booking in advance and bicycles are free. You have to
buy your ticket on spot (full rate 10.90 /adult). There are several trains per day. You will find the timetable in your travel documents. We can also organise a transfer in a private vehicule on demand. Meeting time: The first day is an arrival day without cycling. You arrive whenever you want depending on from where you come. Please note that rooms are usually available in the middle of the afternoon depending on your accommodation. We thank you to advise us if you plan to arrive late. Price description Category A Double room fare 789 /pers 7 nights in ** or *** hotels 7 breakfasts 6-day rental of a fully-equipped bike (sadddle bags, locks, toolkit) the luggage transport from one lodging to the other a road book with maps and descriptions of the routes a visit of a chocolate factory a visit and tasting in "Cave des Producteurs de Vouvray" a bottle of Vouvray wine for two people the return of the bikes local visitors' taxes sending charge of the travel documents in France 24h/24 hotline High season (*) Half-board Single occupancy extra Extra night in Bois Extra night in Tours Category B Double room fare 40 /pers 26 /dinner 43 /night 48 /pers 54 /pers 839 /pers 7 nights in ** or *** hotels or bed & breakfasts 7 breakfasts 6-day rental of a fully-equipped bike (packs, helmets, locks ) the luggage transport from one lodging to the other a road book with maps and descriptions of the routes a visit of a chocolate factory a visit and wine tasting in "Cave des Producteurs de Vouvray" a bottle of Vouvray wine for two people the return of the bikes local visitors' taxes sending charge of the travel documents in France 24h/24 hotline High season (*) Half-board Single occupancy extra Extra night in Bois Extra night in Tours Category C Double room fare 50 /pers 27 /dinner 45 /night 55 /pers 59 /pers 1399 /pers 7 nights in *** or **** hotels 7 breakfasts 6-day rental of a fully-equipped bike (packs, helmets, locks ) the luggage transport from one lodging to the other a road book with maps and descriptions of the routes a visit of a chocolate factory a visit and tasting in "Cave des Producteurs de Vouvray"
a bottle of Vouvray wine for two people the return of the bikes local visitors' taxes sending charge of the travel documents in France 24h/24 hotline High season (*) Half-board Single occupancy extra Extra night in Blois Extra night in Tours 60 /pers 32 /dinner 75 /night 82 /pers 83 /pers Options Extra for the rental of an electric bike (6 days) Discount if you ride your own bicycle 50 /pers -87 /pers (*) High season : from 27.04 to 01.05.2018 from 04.05 to 21.05.2018 from 29.06 to 03.09.2018 The package doesn't include: the journey to the tour location the drinks the meals which are not included the entrance fee to sites insurances (optional) Children discount (in the same room as 2 full rate participants): 0-4 year : -70% 5-11 year : -50% 12-17 year : -30% For more information or booking : www.levelovoyageur.com +33 (0)1 80 91 98 18 or bonjour@levelovoyageur.com