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The Loire Valley by bike from Tours to Nantes

Price per person

From 945€

Type of stay

Voyage à vélo

Location

Tours, Nantes - France

Duration

8 days

Difficulty

Departures

Every day from April 15 to October 15

Capacity

2 people minimum

Reference

Cyclo 43

Your stay

Follow the Loire Valley by bike from Tours to Nantes.

The Loire by bike is a remarkable route for many reasons. Accessible to all levels and all ages, it offers you the opportunity to learn more about the culture and rich heritage of the Valley of the Kings. Accompanied by magnificent landscapes around the river, the valley will amaze you throughout this journey.

Explore France’s Eurovelo 6 and the cities of Tours, Chinon and Angers and end your stay in Nantes, nicknamed “the city of Dukes” or “The Venice of the West”. Try famous wines and explore chateaux and their gardens on this memorable cycling trip.

This cycling tour of the history of the kings of France along the Loire, between Tours and Nantes, offers you the opportunity to discover the region’s vineyards and exceptional heritage. Take the time to discover this corner of France at your own pace!

You'll enjoy :

Possible visit to the Château de Villandry and its gardens, the Fortress of Chinon or the Château de Nantes
The emblematic cities of the region, namely Tours, Angers and Nantes
The “Loire by bike” cycle paths

Back to travel

Daily program

Day 1 - Arrival in Tours

Arrival and check-in at your hotel in Tours.

Tours, capital of Touraine, is built on the banks of the Loire. We invite you to visit its historic center and its must-see attractions such as the former “Palais des Archevêques”, the Grand Théâtre, the Charlemagne Tower or the old Grand-Rue from the Middle Ages now called “Rue Colbert”. You will also see the half-timbered houses and the antique dealers’ district “Rue de la Scellerie” with its numerous second-hand bookstores.

Overnight at your hotel.

Day 2 - from Tours to Chinon

On this first stage, you will cycle along the Loire to reach the Savonnières caves. Then visit the Château de Villandry and its architecture, unique in France, as well as its Renaissance garden, built on 3 levels.

You will also enjoy the architectural treasures of the Ussé castle called Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Overnight in Chinon.

Option: Entrance to the castle and garden of Villandry

Day 3 - from Chinon to Saumur

Leaving Chinon, you will follow the Loire and if you wish, cycle another 10 km to Fontevraud. Here you can visit the Royal Abbey, known as the largest monastic complex in the West. Built in 1101, it became a prison in the 19th century, it has now been a cultural center since 1975.

Before reaching your destination, you will cycle through the village of Montsoreau, you will finish your stage by arriving in Saumur, also called “The white city”.

Overnight in Saumur.

Option: Entrance to the Chinon fortress

Day 4 - Loop to Montreuil Bellay

This day allows you to complete a loop circuit to Montreuil Bellay. You will mainly be cycling along the Loire route, through the vineyards of Saumur.

Leaving Saumur, you will follow the Loire before entering the Saumur countryside, passing various chateaux and picturesque villages. Once in Montreuil Bellay, we recommend a visit to the chateau. Between vineyards and countryside, this loop offers a variety of rural landscapes.

Overnight in Saumur.

Day 5 - from Saumur to Angers

Leaving Saumur, you will continue your route along the Loire Valley, passing through some of the region’s typical villages before ending your stopover in the city of Angers. Capital of the Dukes of Anjou, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its castle, gardens (including the University garden) and old town.

Overnight in Angers.

Day 6 - from Angers to Montjean-sur-Loire

This cycling stage continues along the Loire through landscapes of hedged farmland and vineyards. The route passes along the banks of the river, offering magnificent views of the Loire islands and typical villages. When you reach Montjean-sur-Loire, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the old quarries and its suspension bridge.

Overnight in Montjean-sur-Loire.

Day 7 - From Montjean-sur-Loire to Nantes

For this last leg of your journey by bike, head for Nantes, the city of the Dukes! Your arrival in Nantes will be very pleasant by bike, thanks in particular to the new cycling facilities.

We invite you to take the time to stroll along the quays of old Nantes, and discover the machines on the island, the Jardin des Plantes, the Château des Ducs de Bretagne and the old fishing village of Trentemoult.

Overnight in Nantes.

Day 8 - Departure

End of the tour, after breakfast.

Option: Entrance to the castle of the Dukes of Brittany

rates

Price per person

	From April 15 to October 15,	July and August
Comfort version Superior version	945 € 1085 €	995 € 1135 €

Price includes

7 nights in hotels with breakfast (double/twin room)
A GPS application for navigation
Luggage transfer at each stage
24/7 technical assistance

Supplement

Touring bike rental (helmet not provided): €245
Electric bike rental (helmet not provided): €330
Entrance to the Château de Villandry: €16
Entrance to the Chinon Fortress: €12
Entrance to the Château de Nantes: €13

Further information

We take care of transporting your luggage every time you change accommodation, so you can travel light and enjoy your day’s hiking.

Leave your luggage at the reception desk of your accommodation before departure.

At the end of the afternoon, you’ll meet them at the reception desk of your new accommodation or directly in your room.

Luggage accepted per person: 1 suitcase or travel bag (maximum 23 kg) + 1 carry-on.

We remind you that rental bicycles are equipped with panniers that you can use to carry any items you may need for the day.

Your travel file corresponds to the documents or files you receive prior to your trip (usually one month before) and on arrival at your first accommodation.

It includes :

A welcome letter with key practical information
Baggage transport times
Details of delivery and collection of rental bikes if required
Your local contact and emergency telephone number(s)
Any additional information
Travel logbook including map with route (at the appropriate scale) and directional, tourist and practical information
Necessary voucher(s) to be given to the service provider(s) (only if necessary!)

On request and depending on the tour:

Download the “Evazio” application onto your smartphone for GPS navigation with visual (reading the route on your smartphone screen) and/or spoken guidance.
The application also contains practical and tourist information. Once the trip has been downloaded, no Internet connection is required.
Loan of a GPS device with pre-recorded tracks
Send GPX tracks of each stage for use with your own navigation device

On this tour, we can provide you with a choice of the following, upon reservation:

A touring bike adapted to the ride and the route (UNISEX model)

An electric bike adapted to the route (UNISEX)

With equipment :

Bag 1

Handlebar bag

Repair kit

Anti-theft device

1 rear bag
1 handlebar bag
1 repair kit
1 anti-theft device
1 charger (for electric bike)

For younger children, depending on age and size, we can offer

Children's bikes

Bicycle follower

Follow Me Tandem Loire Valley

Second trailer

A child’s bike
A baby seat
A trailer
A follower bike
A Follow-Me Tandem

The bike is adjusted to your size and delivered to the first accommodation.

At the end of the tour, the bike must be left at the last accommodation with its equipment. We’ll take care of collecting them.

This circuit is offered in “comfort” and “superior” version.

The type of accommodation is classified into 3 ranges:

Comfort: The tour features mainly 2 and 3-star hotels (or equivalent) and bed & breakfasts.
Superior: The tour features mainly 3- and 4-star hotels (or equivalent) and charming bed & breakfasts.
Luxury: The tour features mainly 4 and 5 star hotels or equivalent

For the duration of your stay, our telephone assistance service is available: