The gorgeous Chateau de Chaumont. Photo via Flickr:laing Scallop! Photo via Flickr:stu_spivack

Loire Valley I: Orléans to Tours

France Bike Tour

The three Loire Valley tours from Orléans to Tours, Tours to Angers and Angers to Le Croisic can be taken individually or one after the other. Starting in Orléans, the routes travel west all the way to Le Croisic on the Atlantic Ocean.

The Orléans to Tours route includes the historic town of Orléans, the flowered city of Beaugency, the Château of Chambord (see Château Country tour), the Château of Blois, the Château of Chaumont, and ‘Clos Luce.’ Tours to Angers route includes Villandry with its famous gardens, a Renaissance château in Azay Le Rideau, a 15th château in Langeais, the ‘Sleeping Beauty’ château in Ussé, the abbey of Fontevraud, the vineyards of Anjou, and the château in Angers. Angers to Le Croisic route includes the vineyards at Anjou, the rivers Loire and Layon, Champtoceaux in its magnificent setting, Nantes, and the beaches of St. Brévin and Le Croisic.

Where You’ll Stay

Very nice 2 star hotels, rooms with private facilities.

What’s Included

  • 5 night accommodations
  • Breakfasts & dinners
  • Luggage transportation
  • 21-speed hybrid bicycle
  • Bicycle helmet
  • Route descriptions & maps

What’s Not Included

  • Train ticket, Paris to starting city
  • Drinks and lunches

Loire Valley I: Orléans to Tours Map

Book This Trip

TourBike
TypeSelf Guided
SkillEasy
Length6–15 days
From€706
Print Tour

Tour Dates

  • Daily from March to October, 2012.

Skill Level

Easy self-guided hotel tour

Easy self-guided hotel tour with 4 days of cycling from 19 to 28 miles per day. Terrain is mostly flat with some rolling hills. Electric bicycles available upon request.

Day-To-Day Itinerary

Loire Valley I: Orléans to Tours Map
  1. Arrival in Orléans.
  2. Orléans - Beaugency, 19 mi. (28 km)
  3. Beaugency - Blois, 29 mi. (46 km)
  4. Blois - Amboise, 27 mi. (44 km)
  5. Amboise - Tours, 25 mi. (31 km)
  6. Departure from Tours.

Day 1: Arrival in Orlèans.
Discover Orlèans and its old historical center, situated between the large countryside fields of the Beauce region and the green pastures, ponds and forests of Sologne region.

Day 2: Orlèans – Beaugency, 30 km or 19 mi.
Following the wild river banks, you bike in peace and serenity through the charming and very flowered city of Beaugency.

Day 3: Beaugency – Blois, 36 km or 23 mi.
Leaving Beaugency, you bike once again along the river banks passing the prestigious château of Chambord: the most popular Château of the Loire Valley, a masterpiece of the Renaissance period. Follow the path in the direction of Blois. This charming town presents a rich historical heritage with a château offering a brilliant illustration of the evolution of French architecture from the Middle Ages to the 17th century.

Day 4: Blois – Amboise, 45 km or 29 mi.
Today you discover a beauty of the forests and vineyards of Touraine Mesland until you reach the chateau of Chaumont. This castle, originally built in the 10th century but then burned to the ground in the 15th century by orders from King Louis XI, was rebuilt later in the 15th century. Enjoy the view overlooking the Loire river before cycling on to Amboise and its royal chateau from 15th-16th century. A little further down the road you find the last home of Léonardo Da Vinci : Manorhouse of ‘Clos Lucé’.

Day 5: Amboise – Tours, 40 km or 25 mi.
Today you bike through the vineyards of Montlouis to discover the numerous cellars offering sweet white or sparkling wines. Then, enjoy the lovely chateau birthplace of Gabrielle d’Estrées, the favorite of King Henry IV. Continue to the heart of the city Tours to admire the old quarters sheltering the famous “Place Plumereau” and it’s half-timbered houses.

Day 6: Departure from Tours.

**Below is the itinerary for the 15 day combined tour. Also available is a 10 day tour which is from Orleans to Angers. Please contact us for details.**

15 Day Tour:

  1. Arrival in Orléans.
  2. Orléans - Beaugency, 19 mi. (28 km)
  3. Beaugency - Blois, 29 mi. (46 km)
  4. Blois - Amboise, 27 mi. (44 km)
  5. Amboise - Tours, 25 mi. (31 km)
  6. Tours - Azay le Rideau, 25 mi. (36 km)
  7. Azay le Rideau - Chinon, 24 mi. (39 km)
  8. Chinon - Saumur, 27 mi. (43 km)
  9. Saumur - Angers, 40 mi. (64 km
  10. Angers - Montjean or Ingrandes sur Loire, 23 mi. (36 km)
  11. Montjean or Ingrandes sur Loire - Champtoceaux, 25 mi. (40 km)
  12. Champtoceaux - Nantes, 19 mi. (30 km)
  13. Nantes - St. Brévin, 34 mi. (55 km)
  14. St. Brévin - Le Croisic, 31 mi. (53 km)
  15. Departure from Le Croisic.

Book This Trip

Questions? Call us! 877-965-2064 or e-mail us

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