(20 reviews)

Self-guided Cycling / Original tour

Web code FR004

France / Loire Valley Short Break

The highlights from Orléans to Tours

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 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
    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: 180 km
    • Terrain: 75% tarmac, 25% unpaved
    • Train connection among the overnight stays: every day
    • Possibility to shorten the itinerary by taking the train: every day


    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.

     

     

  • 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.

  • 20 Client reviews
    • Malcolm

      Departure 10-15 September 2022

      Online from 04 October 2022

      Very enjoyable
    • Chiara

      Departure 20-25 August 2022

      Online from 05 September 2022

      Consigliato
    • Benedetta

      Departure 30 July - 04 August 2022

      Online from 09 August 2022

      molto positiva! qualche indicazione in più sulla necessità di prenotare alcuni castelli, o su piccole cose utili sarebbe stata utile.
    • Raquel

      Departure 16-21 July 2022

      Online from 04 August 2022

      Foi aquém da minha expectativa. Esperei dois anos por esse tour e me decepcionei.
    • Lisa

      Departure 23-28 July 2022

      Online from 02 August 2022

      Bella vacanza all’aria aperta in paesi molto ben attrezzati per chi si sposta in bici!
    • Ermanno

      Departure 02-07 July 2022

      Online from 24 July 2022

      Il tour mi è piaciuto e l'organizzazione è sempre ottima.
    • Paola

      Departure 04-09 June 2022

      Online from 24 June 2022

      Il mio voto è 10! Una vacanza sulla Loira è adattissima a chi vuol fare una vacanza in bicicletta, coniugando sia attività fisica che culturale. I castelli e i relativi parchi sono davvero molto belli. Il percorso è medio-facile, ma occhio al vento!
    • Rossella

      Departure 04-09 June 2022

      Online from 17 June 2022

      Consiglio molto ma con bici pedalata assistita
    • Nadia

      Departure 04-09 June 2022

      Online from 15 June 2022

      Viaggio ben organizzato da eseguire anche in gruppi ristretti o singolarmente
    • Maurizio

      Departure 04-09 June 2022

      Online from 15 June 2022

      Null'altro da aggiungere.
    • Paolo

      Departure 04-09 June 2022

      Online from 15 June 2022

      Prima esperienza molto positiva sicuramente la ripeterò
    • Maria Bernarda

      Departure 21-26 May 2022

      Online from 31 May 2022

      aiutati dal bel tempo di maggio , poca pioggia e non troppo caldo, la vacanza è assolutamente da consigliare per conoscere nuovi posti e rilassarsi in mezzo alla natura. Le città visitate durante il percorso sono deliziose.
    • Mario

      Departure 08-13 August 2020

      Online from 24 August 2020

    • Ivano

      Departure 11-16 August 2019

      Online from 30 August 2019

      Vacanza bellissima, l'itinerario non presenta difficoltà e si snoda fra i castelli più importanti e conosciuti della Loira, alcuni sono veramente spettacolari. A seconda delle aspettative di pernottamento occorre valutare attentamente le sistemazioni.
    • Yasmin

      Departure 04-09 August 2019

      Online from 17 August 2019

      La Loira in bici é un bel giro ma bisogna organizzare bene i tempi se si vogliono vedere i castelli che richiedono minimo due ore di visita: da non perdere i castelli di Chambord, Amboise e Chenonceau.....sono spettacolari!
    • Lavinia

      Departure 10-15 July 2019

      Online from 21 July 2019

      Viaggio bellissimo per il nostro gruppo di 11 amiche, tra incantevoli paesaggi naturali e grandiosi palazzi reali. Ottima organizzazione, grande assistenza sia da parte dell'ufficio (nella fase precedente la partenza) che da parte del referente in loco. Posti meravigliosi e molto ben segnalati.
    • Fiorella

      Departure 30 June - 05 July 2019

      Online from 10 July 2019

      Eravamo alla prima esperienza di vacanza in bici e siamo tornati entusisti con la voglia di ripartire. Organizzazione perfetta (bici, alberghi, mappe, indicazioni e materiale informativo per una fruizione individuale).
      Il percorso è alla portata di tutti, se piace pedalare e mettere in conto un po' di fatica...ben ripagata da luoghi e paesaggi che s'incontrano.
    • Sandra

      Departure 12-17 August 2017

      Online from 22 August 2017

      viaggio consigliatissimo: posti bellissimi ed ottima organizzazione
    • Alberto

      Departure 06-11 August 2017

      Online from 21 August 2017

      Bella esperienza. Da tenere in conto il fatto che è possibile incontrare frequenti temporali e vento freddo. Attrezzatevi!
    • Silvia

      Departure 07-12 August 2016

      Online from 12 September 2016

      Vacanza meravigliosa e che replicheremo. Non avevo mai fatto una vacanza in bici ed amici ci hanno consigliato voi. Organizzazione perfetta. il signore che ci ha accolto è stato veramente gentile e ci ha dato alcune "dritte" che ci hanno aiutato. Strutture da voi prenotate semplici ma alcune veramente deliziose con personale gentile e comode al centro delle varie città. Bagagli sempre presenti al ns. arrivo nei vari alberghi. Ringrazio davvero e ci rivolgeremo nuovamente a voi per le ns. future vacanze su due ruote.

Tour details

 

from 540 €

6 Days / 5 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

620 € in double room
820 € in single room
500 € 3rd person in triple room


Cat. B | 2/3* Hotels

540 € in double room
740 € in single room
430 € 3rd person in triple room



Included

  • 5 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

90 € season 2 | Cat. A+B | 11.05 - 21.06 and 24.08 - 6.09.2024
140 € 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 from 58 to 61 cm


Extra nights
in double/single room with breakfast

70 / 125 € in Orléans | Cat. A+B
75 / 130 € in Tours | Cat. A
65 / 115 € in Tours | Cat. B


Transfer
Transfer Tours-Orléans on request

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