(29 reviews)

Self-guided Cycling / Original tour

Web code FR003

France / Loire Valley classic tour

Orléans-Saumur

The Loire Valley, also known as “garden of France”, is a charming land of vineyards, flowers and rolling green hills, which will enchant you with its more than two hundred castles and luxuriant natural landscapes. It will be like riding in a fairy tale, in a picturesque countryside dotted with romantic châteaux, providing regular interludes to the cycling. While you marvel at this medieval splendour, don’t forget to try the region’s sumptuous cuisine and famous wines, for a true royal holiday experience!
  • Day by Day

    map

    1. Orléans
    Individual arrival and overnight in Orléans, homeland of Joan of Arc.
     
    2. Orléans – Beaugency/St. Dyé and surroundings (25/45 km)
    You pedal along the Loire alternating cycle paths with back roads. After a visit to Meung-sur-Loire you arrive at the Chateau Dunois, with the beautiful medieval centre of Beaugency. A land full of water and culture will lead the way to the beautiful town of St. Dyé, an ancient river harbour.
     
    3. Beaugency/St. Dyé and surroundings – Blois (60/40 km)
    From the huge park surrounding Chambord Castle today’s trip continues at the border of the forest of Boulogne. On the other side of the Loire crowded with a wonderful bridge, you can already see the profile of Blois and its castle, the steeples of the abbey and the Cathedral of St. Louis standing out. 

     

    4. Blois – Amboise (45 km)
    After the visit of the city of Blois and its impres- sive castle, you pedal along the Loire river. 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 crossing 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 – Chinon (55 km)
    Pedalling between the Loire and the Cher rivers you arrive at Villandry Castle, well known for its gardens. Following the Loire river, you’ll reach the city Langeais where you can stop for a break. Before arriving in Chinon you will visit Ussé, where you can admire the castle of the Sleeping Beauty.
     
    7. Chinon – Saumur (35 km)
    The tour continues along country roads beyond the confluence of the rivers Loire and Vienne, where you’ll get to Savigny en Vèron and the wonderful village of Candes St-Martin. A few kilometres away you’ll see the castle of Montsoreau from which you can enjoy the landscape over the Fontevraud Abbey. At the end of the stage you will visit Saumur, considered the “Pearl of Anjou”.
     
    8. Saumur
    Departure after breakfast. 


    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: 270 km
    • Terrain: 80% tarmac, 20% unpaved
    • Train connection among the overnight stays: every day
    • Possibility to shorten the itinerary by taking the train: day 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.


    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 little traffic.

     

    Some days the itinerary will be flat, others it will present some hills. Suitable for everyone in good physical condition and with some cycling experience.

     

     

     

  • 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.

     

     

  • 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.

     

    According to your category of choice you will be accommodated in:

    • Cat. A: 3/4* hotels*
    • Cat. B: 2/3* hotels*

     

    *French hotel classification


    All rooms have en suite facilities. In some 2* hotels there may be some cases of accommodation without 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.

     

     

  • 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


    Accessories

    All 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

     



  • 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.

  • 29 Client reviews
    • Charmaine

      Departure 09-16 September 2023

      Online from 21 September 2023

      Overall a very relaxing and well enjoyed cycle tour.
    • Christensen

      Departure 10-17 June 2023

      Online from 27 June 2023

    • Monica

      Departure 06-13 August 2022

      Online from 21 August 2022

      Una ciclabile ben segnalata, che alterna, tratti pianeggianti lungo i percorsi fluviali, in prevalenza, a tratti con dislivelli medi nella parte interna. Pedalando in un paesaggio ricco di testimonianze culturali e di prodotti gastronomici locali.
    • paolo

      Departure 31 July - 07 August 2022

      Online from 15 August 2022

      Molto bello, sia per il paesaggio che per le destinazioni da visitare, più impegnativo di quanto previsto.
    • Felipe

      Departure 31 July - 07 August 2022

      Online from 12 August 2022

      Que pena que se acabaron!
    • Sira

      Departure 30 July - 06 August 2022

      Online from 12 August 2022

      Magica Loira, tra vigneti e castelli incantati
    • Lars

      Departure 10-17 July 2022

      Online from 27 July 2022

    • Cinzia

      Departure 28 May - 04 June 2022

      Online from 12 June 2022

      Vacanza da consigliare e adatta a tutti i tipi di ciclisti.
      Bellissima esperienza ben organizzata e con paesaggi molto belli, tra foreste, campi e vigneti
    • Gisela

      Departure 09-16 September 2019

      Online from 22 September 2019

    • Barbara

      Departure 09-16 September 2019

      Online from 22 September 2019

      I liked this tour much better than the bikenBarge Avignon to Aigues-Mortes due to scenery nicer, and great Castles to see.
      I think it being rated Easy/Moderate is accurate but someone should ride the routes to make it more clear when there are climbs and how to get out of town each day. Some days were pretty confusing as to where the route started.
      All in all, this was my favorite tour vs the BikenBarge Avignon-AiguesMortes.
      Also, some of the hotels were too far out of town.
    • Tatiana

      Departure 31 August - 07 September 2019

      Online from 12 September 2019

      Un bellissimo viaggio, ricco di tantissime tappe interessanti. Il viaggio si articola tra boschi, villaggi e castelli e all'arrivo c'è sempre una bella città tutta da scoprire. Annoiarsi è impossibile.
    • Antonio

      Departure 24-31 August 2019

      Online from 06 September 2019

      E' un tour che merita di esser fatto. Fatto poi in sella a electro bike, che ci ha consentito di percorrere le sei tappe senza eccessiva fatica, consentendoci di apprezzare le bellezze naturali della campagna francese (meno la centrale nucleare) e le bellezze architettoniche e storico/artistiche dei suoi castelli.
    • Andrea

      Departure 17-24 August 2019

      Online from 30 August 2019

      Una vacanza fantastica da godersela in pieno con amici o in copia esplorando tanti bei posti e assaggiando piatti tipici della zona .
    • Paolo Alessandro

      Departure 11-18 August 2019

      Online from 27 August 2019

      Probabilmente non esiste miglior compromesso per percorrere la Loira in libertà e con un itinerario comunque soddisfacente, ma senza la scomodità di doversi portare pesanti bagagli al seguito. Sicuramente valuterò altre destinazione dell'offerta di GiroLibero.
    • Gianluca

      Departure 11-18 August 2019

      Online from 23 August 2019

      Posto ideale per una vacanza in bicicletta, percorsi tranquilli e molto sicuri, interamente su ciclabili o strade pochissimo trafficate, paesi caratteristici e castelli meravigliosi. Siamo stati contentissimi
    • Manuela

      Departure 06-13 July 2019

      Online from 14 August 2019

      Vacanza perfetta, organizzazione senza pecche sia come documentazione, bici, alloggi...
    • Mauro

      Departure 28 July - 04 August 2019

      Online from 09 August 2019

      Bel tour ben studiato e organizzato.
      Alberghi confortevoli, colazioni ottimo livello.
      Materiale e biciclette ottimi.
      Personale simpatico professionale e servizievole, servizio impeccabile.
      Bravi!
    • Davide

      Departure 27 July - 03 August 2019

      Online from 08 August 2019

      La vacanza in bici lungo la Loira, da Orléans a Saumur, è stata un'esperienza magnifica. Abbiamo coniugato cultura, attività fisica, ammirato panorami meravigliosi e degustato cibo e vino con piacere.
      La scelta della vacanza individuale ci ha permesso di muoverci con massima autonomia e serenità.
      L'organizzazione Girolibero puntuale e professionale.
      Sicuramente ripeteremo l'esperienza!
    • Ester

      Departure 15-22 June 2019

      Online from 27 June 2019

      Una vacanza da grandi spazi!
      Castelli maestosi e natura sconfinata! Campi di grano, papaveri, vigneti a perdita d'occhio e, all'improvviso, una chiesetta o un gruppo di case!
      Bisognerebbe avere più tempo per vedere tutto e fotografare tutto!
    • Michael

      Departure 25 May - 01 June 2019

      Online from 08 June 2019

      Leo war supernett und hilfsbereit.
    • Giovanna

      Departure 27 April - 04 May 2019

      Online from 09 May 2019

      La stagione primaverile s'è dimostrata ideale per questa splendida pedalata tra colline, castelli e corsi d'acqua...un connubio perfetto tra natura, cultura e sport. Colori, profumi e suoni che riempiono anima e corpo.
    • Stefano

      Departure 12-19 August 2018

      Online from 02 October 2018

      Vacanza perfetta! L'organizzazione impeccabile di Girolibero ci ha piacevolmente soddisfatti!
    • Alessandra

      Departure 01-08 July 2018

      Online from 25 September 2018

      Un viaggio da fare ...si viaggia tranquilli, godendo della vacanza fino in fondo, sapendo che quando si arriva sì trova il confort di alberghi scelti con cura e poi paesaggi stupendi
    • Achille

      Departure 01-08 July 2017

      Online from 10 January 2018

      Un perfetto mix tra arte, paesaggio e sport.
      Consiglio di non seguire pedissequamente l'itinerario base proposto, ma di percorrere le numerose varianti al percorso (che trovate sul libretto) per poter visitare più castelli, anche se, così, si ha un po' meno tempo per visitare le città lungo il percorso (Orléans, Blois e Tours su tutte).
    • Guido

      Departure 05-12 August 2017

      Online from 18 August 2017

      Giro bellissimo, grandi pedalate e tanti castelli da visitare lungo l'itinerario proposto. Strutture ricettive non sempre soddisfacenti. Comunque consigliato!
    • Adriana

      Departure 30 July - 06 August 2017

      Online from 11 August 2017

      Questo è stato il mio secondo viaggio con Girolibero, dopo la Passau/Vienna. Rispetto a quello precedente questo presenta qualche difficoltà in più e alberghi meno confortevoli. Ho comunque apprezzato i posti visitati e la possibilità di effettuare visite ad alcune cantine incontrate lungo strada.
    • Donatella

      Departure 15-22 July 2017

      Online from 28 July 2017

      Non potrei pensare al tour dei castelli sulla Loira se non in bicicletta!
    • Sara

      Departure 20-27 August 2016

      Online from 10 September 2016

      Una settimana davvero rilassante!
      La Valle della loira offre bei paesaggi e bellissimi castelli da visitare.
      Le biciclette erano davvero molto comode e ben accessoriata, il materiale informativo ottimo.
      Unico neo sarebbe utile specificare meglio cosa si intende per "strada sterrata" perché un giorno abbiamo seguito un itinerario alternativo proposto dalla guida in dotazione (per arrivare a Tours) e il percorso era molto dissestato con pietre, sabbia e numerose buche, non adatto alle biciclette in dotazione.
      Il personale di Girolibero si è mostrato molto cortese, così come i gestori degli hotel in cui abbiamo soggiornato.
    • ATTENZIONE
      Le seguenti impressioni sono state pubblicate prima del nuovo sistema di rating

      John, UK

      Departure 2016

      Online from 29 June 2016


      Hello Maddalena,
      We returned from another very successful Girlolibero holiday at the weekend.The documentation,route, hotels and bike preparation were all to the high standard we have come to expect .
      Of particular note were the 2 typically French hotels at Chinon and St Dye, the later providing a really excellent evening meal.
      The decision to opt for the electric bike enabled me to thoroughly enjoy the holiday despite the foot being in plaster for three months prior to the holiday.
      Many thanks to you and the Girolibero team – hope to see you again next year for our 6th holiday with you.
      Kind regards and best wishes,
      John

Tour details

 

from 770 €

8 Days / 7 Nights, Cat. B

Tour type

Self-guided

 

Departure dates

SA 4.05 - 28.09.2024
SU 7.07 - 18.08.2024

Special departure dates for at least 6 people.

 

Seasons

Season 1 | 4.05 - 10.05 and 7.09 - 28.09.2024
Season 2 | 11.05 - 21.06 and 24.08 - 6.09.2024
Season 3 | 22.06 - 23.08.2024


Price per person
Season 1 | 4.05 - 10.05 and 7.09 - 28.09.2024

Cat. A | 3/4* Hotels

870 € in double room
1,200 € in single room
690 € 3rd person in triple room


Cat. B | 2/3* Hotels

770 € in double room
1,100 € in single room
620 € 3rd person in triple room



Included

  • 7 nights hotel accommodation
  • Breakfast
  • App including maps, roadbook, points of interest and GPS tracks
  • Digital tour information
  • Luggage transportation
  • Hotline service
  • Tourist taxes


Not included

  • Everything not mentioned in the section “Included”


Supplements per person

130 € season 2 | Cat. A+B | 11.05 - 21.06 and 24.08 - 6.09.2024
180 € season 3 | Cat. A+B | 22.06 - 23.08.2024


Girolibero rental bikes
including insurance against theft and damage

110 € Touring bike
270 € E-bike
15 € Helmet | head circumference 58-61 cm


Extra nights
in double/single room with breakfast

70 / 125 € in Orléans | Cat. A+B
75 / 120 € in Saumur | Cat. A+B


Transfer

90 € transfer Saumur-Orléans (min. 2 persons)
30 € supplement own bike
Available only on Saturday

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