Spend a week biking through the world famous Loire Valley and seeing the magnificent Chateaux. From the town of Amboise, where Leonardo da Vinci was the guest of King Francis I, you cycle on tiny roads through vineyards and beside poplar-lined rivers, to the Chateau of Chenonceau, the crown jewel of the Loire. You will also ride to Loches and see the mediaeval dungeons of the Chateau of Loches. Admire the ivory towers of the Chateau of Azay-le-Rideau and explore Chinon's ancient cobbled streets. Marvel at the mediaeval turreted kitchens of Font-Evraux Abbey, and the tombs of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Our hotels are comfortable and traditional, often housed in centuries-old buildings. This cycling tour combines all the best ingredients to make an unforgettable vacation - rolling countryside, splendid chateaux, incredible wines and exceptional cuisine.

Package Includes

7 nights accommodations with private facilities

Daily breakfasts

5 dinners (beverages not included)

Bicycles

Daily luggage transfers

Detailed route notes and maps

Local contact

Vacation Package Itinerary

Day 1: Amboise

Individual arrival in the medieval town of Amboise, its ivory walls reflected in the broad river Loire. Bikes are delivered to your hotel. Take time to see the Chateau and as many as 40 scale-models and blueprints of Leonardo's inventions, in the elegant manor-house where he lived and worked for several years until his death in 1519; a tunnel connects the house and Chateau. A renowned chocolatier in the town is also worth a visit! Dinner is included tonight. Overnight, Amboise.

Day 2: Amboise

Ride out in the morning along the Loire passing the tall elegant pagoda which is all that remains of the Chateau of Chanteloup. This provides splendid views if you have the energy climb its 149 steps! Dinner is included tonight. Overnight, Amboise

Day 3: Amboise to Chenonceau

Bike on tiny roads heading South from Amboise. The highlight of the day is the beautiful Chateau of Chenonceau. We highly recommend a visit to this fabulous Chateau. Chenonceau is not only remarkable for its architecture and history but also for the fine quality of its collections as can be seen from the inside visit: Renaissance furniture, a vast ensemble of 16th and 17th century tapestries and a great number of masterpieces. Le Primatice, Rubens, Le Tintoret, Rigaud, Nattier, Van Loo are among the most famous names that can be found there. Dinner is included tonight. Overnight Chenonceau.

Day 4: Chenonceau to Loches

Cycle along winding lanes, over undulating country, to picnic near the isolated medieval Chateau of Montpoupon, whose pepperpot roofs emerge in a clearing where 3 valleys meet. Your final destination today is the ancient town of Loches. This town is extremely interesting and attractive and merits some exploration. You should allow at least two to three hours to explore the mediaeval town and walk the ramparts of the old town. Dinner is included tonight. Overnight Loches.

Day 5: Loches to Montbazon

Visit the Chateau de Loches, whose 10th Century walls house dungeons and a torture chamber. The town has associations with Agnes Sorel, the Dame de Beaut?, mistress of Charles VII, and her tomb and effigy can be seen in the chateau. Bike along the poplar-lined valley of the peaceful River Indre, through villages where time seems to have stood still. Dinner is included tonight. Overnight Montbazon.

Day 6: Montbazon to Chinon

Cycle through peaceful villages with troglodytic caves in the shallow chalk cliffs. Many of these caves are still in use. Basketwork was traditionally carried out in these caves, using the supple osier twigs taken from the willows which overhang the riverbanks here. The magical Chateau of Azay-le Rideau is wonderfully reflected in the waters of the River Indre, and can be visited today. The Renaissance Chateau was built on an island by the Indre River in the early 1500s. Constructed on piers by Gilles Berthelot, mayor of the city of Tours and the son of a wealthy courtier to both King Louis XI and King Charles VIII. In 1524 Berthelot was convicted of fraud, banished and his chateau confiscated by King Francois I who gave it as a reward to one of his high-ranking soldiers. Over the centuries, it changed hands several times until the early part of the 20th century when it was purchased by the government and restored. The interior was completely refurbished with a collection of various Renaissance pieces. Arrive at the elegant little town of Chinon, overlooking the wide River Vienne. Overnight Chinon.

Day 7: Chinon

Today bike via the Chateau of Montsoreau, at the confluence of the Loire and the Vienne, to the stunning Abbey of Fontevraud, which contains the tombs and sculpted effigies of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry II, and Richard the Lion-Heart. The medieval domed kitchens make a fascinating part of the visit. Overnight Chinon.

Day 8: Chinon

Tour ends after breakfast.