girolibero Cycling holidays
Self-guided Cycling / Original tour
Web code FR005
France / Loire valley
Et voilà la Loire: castles, gardens and towns
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Day by Day
1. Orléans
Individual arrival and overnight in Orléans, homeland of Joan of Arc.
2. Orléans – Blois (60 km)
Today you pedal along the Loire alternating cycle paths with back roads. After a visit to the village Meung-sur-Loire, you arrive at the Chateau Dunois, with the beautiful medieval centre of Beaugency. Today’s destination is the charming town of Blois, with it's splendid stone bridge over the Loire. When you arrive in the city you can visit the castle, explore the streets of the old town and the Cathedral of St. Louis.3. Blois – Chambord – Blois (40 km)
Today’s stage leads you to one of the most famous and majestic of all Loire castles: Chambord. Leaving the hotel, we head for Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire, an ancient hamlet perched on the river. From here we continue southwards into the heart of the countryside until we reach the castle’s surrounding forest.
4. Blois – Amboise (45 km)
You saddle up for the start along the River Loire to Amboise. Here you can visit the castle of Chaumont built on the top of a hill overlooking the river. In Amboise you cannot miss the house where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last years of his life.
5. Amboise – Tours (50 km)
After the forest of Amboise you arrive in Chenonceau, known as the castle of the three ladies. You continue along the river Cher up to the city of Tours. You may also decide to stop for a visit at the castle of Nitray with its famous wine cellars.6. Tours – Villandry – Tours (50 km)
You cycle along the strip of land between the Loire and Cher rivers to the Renaissance castle of Villandry, famous for its six luxuriant ornamental gardens. The entire park is preserved and treated with natural methods, without the use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers. You then head to Tours along the River Cher for the last evening in the Loire. If you haven’t already, it’s time to taste the famous crepes!
7. Tours
After breakfast end of services.
Due to organisational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations caused by roadworks, which cannot be foreseen; in this case please follow the indications you will find on site. -
Route profile
- Total length: 245 km
- Terrain: 80% tarmac, 20% unpaved
- Train connection among the overnight stays: day 2, 4 and 5
- Possibility to shorten the itinerary by taking the train: day 2, 4 and 5
On this tour you cycle through the wonderful Loire Valley. This cycle trip is not very demanding, though sometimes there are some hilly sections. The daily stages are not very long – always about 50 kms – mostly in the lowlands. The itinerary is mainly on cycle paths or paved roads with a low volume of traffic.
Leisure cycling in mostly flat areas, with only a few short ups and downs. Little effort required, suitable for everyone.
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How to get there
Orléans is connected with the following airports:
Tours: 110 km, Paris ORY: 120 km, Paris CDG: 150 km, Paris BVA: 220 km.Trains
For information on train timetables and prices you can consult the following website: www.sncf.com.
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Accommodation and meals
We personally choose all the hotels mindful of your comfort as well as the proximity to cycling paths and any relevant local sites.
You will be accommodated in 3/4* hotels (French hotel classification).
All rooms have en suite facilities and air conditioning.
When you book the tour please specify the type of room requested:- double room is a room with one double bed
- twin room is a room with two single beds
- triple room is usually a room with one double bed and a single bed or a sofa bed.
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Bikes and accessories
Girolibero bikes are available in different sizes and frames:
- Touring bike 27-gear Shimano Deore
- E-bike 9-gear Shimano
Features:- aluminium frame
- mudguard
- rear rack
- comfort gel saddle www.selleroyal.com
- anti-puncture Schwalbe tyres
- ergonomic bicycle grips
- Speed Lifter system
AccessoriesAll rented adult bikes are equipped with:
- 1 cycle computer
- 1 Ortlieb one-sided saddlebag
- 1 front bar bag per room
- 1 repair kit per room: 1 spare inner tube, glue, patch, a pump, 2 allen keys and tyre levers
- 1 combination bike lock
At the moment of booking you can also rent helmets, suitable for head circumferences from 58 to 61. All helmets have a certification mark according to the DIN EN 1078 (CE) European norm.Important notes:
We recommend that you bring your own reusable water bottle with you.
In order to cycle smoothly following our App, we suggest that you bring with you a holder for your mobile phone to be fixed on the handlebar, as well as a power bank (even if the App can be used offline, too). -
Accompanying material
Before your arrival, you will receive an email from us with the digital information material. It contains:
1. Link to download the App including maps, roadbook, points of interest and GPS tracks (you can use the App offline, too)
2. Link to download the tour information material in Pdf:- Tour notes
- Final tour details
3. Digital travel documents:- Final hotel list (due to overbooking or organizational needs your hotel list may change just before your arrival)
- Hotel vouchers to show to the hotel reception upon arrival
- Entrance ticket for the castels Chambord, Chenonceau and Villandry
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By your side
Staff support
In the Final Tour Details you will find the contact phone numbers you can call during the tour in case of emergency.
