Amboise in the Loire Valley
France Bike Tours
Bike tour featuring vineyards and castles in the Loire Valley
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length4 days
- Prices from€450 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
Experience the France of Kings, in the heart of the valley of the Loire Castles! During this luxurious bike tour in France, you will have your choice of three levels of accommodations, and from which you will have your choice of cycling itineraries.
Amboise is set upon the southern bank of the Loire and is overlooked by an inspiring 15th-century château. This was the childhood home of Charles VIII and the final resting place of the great Leonardo da Vinci, who, as a guest of the king, came to Château Amboise in December 1515 and lived and worked in the nearby Clos Lucé.
From your hotel, you will be able to cycle to the various Touraine Vineyards and discover many treasures of history, architecture, and culture each day.
Highlights
- France Art de Vivre
- French cuisine and wine
- Lovely French landscapes
- Chateaux!
- Le Clos Lucé and Da Vinci display
- Vouvray Vineyards
We have many other bike tours in France or the Loire Valley for you to explore!
Itinerary
There are various excursions offered from which you can choose:
Excursion 1: Arrival in Amboise + Montlouis: 21 mi. (33 km)
This is an excursion through the heart of the Montlouis vineyards, whose wines tend to reflect earthy and mineral notes. There is the possibility to visit the Aquarium de Touraine and the magnificent Château de la Bourdaisière and its gardens. Upon arrival back in Amboise, be sure to stroll about and visit the Manoir du Clos Lucé, made from pink bricks and tufa stones. Leonardo da Vinci lived here for the last 3 years of his life and you can see firsthand the genius of the famous inventor. Forty of his fabulous machines are displayed at Le Clos Lucé such as the first automobile, the metric counter, the paddleboat, the machine gun – and the life-size flying machine.Excursion 2: Chenonceau, 27 mi. (43 km)
Once you have crossed the forest of Amboise, you will come to the famous Château de Chenonceau, uniquely built over the Cher River. Nicknamed the Ladies Castle and once the residence of Catherine de’ Medici, it was the scene of a famous rivalry in French history between her and Diane de Poitiers, mistress of the king. It is French history at its best; passionate, scandalous, and torrid. Upon the death of King Henry II, Catherine banned Diane from Chenonceau, sentencing her to live out the rest of her days in obscurity at a castle in Anet.Excursion 3: Chaumont-sur-Loire, 28 mi. (45 km)
This cycling excursion follows the meandering country roads to the banks of the Loire in Chaumont-sur-Loire, whose 15th-century château proudly dominates the town and the river. The "Festival des Jardins" (garden festival) is held between late May and mid-October, showcasing the art of gardening with new flower arrangements, garden sculptures, and innovation in design.Excursion 4: Vouvray Vineyards, 28 mi. (45 km)
This route leads away from the banks of the Loire to reach the picturesque Vouvray vineyards, surrounded by troglodyte houses, dwellings dug into the slopes and rock faces of the landscape. The region is famous for its fine and elegant white wines. You will cycle past superb Renaissance private châteaux such as Château de Valmer (remarkable for its Italian and vegetable gardens), and the beautiful Château de Jallanges as well. Be sure to stop for a visit to a local wine producer to sample a glass of Vouvray wine!Think about booking the Chateaux Package! See pricing.
- Châteaux of Amboise
- Park Leonardo da Vinci in Amboise
- Château of Chenonceaux
- Wine tasting in Amboise (3 wines) (2020 itinerary only)
- Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire (château + garden festival)
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Hotels & Bikes
Accommodations
Choose one of the following categories:
Standard category: 2 and 3 star
Superior category: 3 and 4 star
Deluxe category: 4 star
In the day-to-day itinerary you will find the name of the preferred hotel. If you cannot be accommodated in the preferred hotel, you will be informed and offered alternative accommodations. Price change may be incurred.Bicycles
Accessories
Included accessories
- Helmet
- Counter (one per booking)
- One bottle (100% recyclable)
- Repair kit and life/visibility jacket
- Pump
- Lock
- Front pannier with map holder
- Rear rack and pannier (2 panniers on e-bike)
Supplemental accessories
- Child trailer (up to 5 years old)
- Maximum weight: 37kg
- Steel structure
- 2 seats with a security system
- Wheels: 20" quick release
- Waterproof polyester hood
- Anti-insect net
- Storage at the back
- Child helmet and repair kit
- 'Follow-me' tandem (5 to 8 years old)
- Lock, child helmet, and life jacket
- Trail a bike (5 to 8 years old)
- Aluminium frame
- Adjustable seat post
- Wheel: 20"
- Lock, child helmet, and life jacket
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations for 3 nights
- Breakfasts
- 1 dinner
- 27-speed hybrid Scott Sub Sport 20 bike. Both men and women’s frames available (please specify when you book).
- Included accessories: 1 rear pannier, handlebar bag, repair kit, pump, odometer, and helmet (4-day rental)
- Route descriptions and maps (one set per room)
- GPS tracks available (must be requested in advance!)
- City taxes
- 7-day hotline
What’s Not Included
- All other meals
- Drinks
- Entrance fees to various chateaux (can be booked for a supplement)
- Bicycle protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Daily arrivals possible from March 1 to October 31, 2020 and 2021
Please Note
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
Tour package Standard category Superior category Deluxe category Twin/double $ 719 £ 408 $ 706 € 450 NZ$ 776 kr 4648 $ 555 $ 911 £ 517 $ 894 € 570 NZ$ 983 kr 5888 $ 703 $ 1110 £ 630 $ 1,090 € 695 NZ$ 1199 kr 7179 $ 857 Single supplement $ 152 £ 86 $ 149 € 95 NZ$ 164 kr 981 $ 117 $ 367 £ 209 $ 361 € 230 NZ$ 397 kr 2376 $ 284 $ 535 £ 304 $ 525 € 335 NZ$ 578 kr 3460 $ 413 2 dinners included (excluding drinks) $ 120 £ 68 $ 118 € 75 NZ$ 129 kr 775 $ 93 $ 136 £ 77 $ 133 € 85 NZ$ 147 kr 878 $ 105 $ 160 £ 91 $ 157 € 100 NZ$ 172 kr 1033 $ 123 Tour package Standard category Superior category Deluxe category Twin/double $ 823 £ 467 $ 808 € 515 NZ$ 888 kr 5320 $ 635 $ 999 £ 567 $ 980 € 625 NZ$ 1078 kr 6456 $ 771 $ 1206 £ 685 $ 1,184 € 755 NZ$ 1302 kr 7799 $ 931 Single supplement $ 184 £ 104 $ 180 € 115 NZ$ 198 kr 1188 $ 142 $ 367 £ 209 $ 361 € 230 NZ$ 397 kr 2376 $ 284 $ 535 £ 304 $ 525 € 335 NZ$ 578 kr 3460 $ 413 2 dinners included (excluding drinks) $ 128 £ 73 $ 125 € 80 NZ$ 138 kr 826 $ 99 $ 136 £ 77 $ 133 € 85 NZ$ 147 kr 878 $ 105 $ 168 £ 95 $ 165 € 105 NZ$ 181 kr 1085 $ 130 Extra Options
Extra nights Standard category Superior category Deluxe category Amboise B&B $ 105 £ 60 $ 104 € 66 NZ$ 114 kr 682 $ 81 $ 149 £ 84 $ 146 € 93 NZ$ 160 kr 961 $ 115 $ 228 £ 130 $ 224 € 143 NZ$ 247 kr 1477 $ 176 Single room supplement $ 48 £ 27 $ 47 € 30 NZ$ 52 kr 310 $ 37 $ 112 £ 63 $ 110 € 70 NZ$ 121 kr 723 $ 86 $ 176 £ 100 $ 173 € 110 NZ$ 190 kr 1136 $ 136 Chateaux package: $ 128 £ 73 $ 125 € 80 NZ$ 138 kr 826 $ 99 Electric bike* rental: $ 64 £ 36 $ 63 € 40 NZ$ 69 kr 413 $ 49 Extra day electric bike rental: $ 48 £ 27 $ 47 € 30 NZ$ 52 kr 310 $ 37 Extra day hybrid touring bike rental: $ 32 £ 18 $ 31 € 20 NZ$ 34 kr 207 $ 25 One way transfer: Paris CDG to Amboise (1-4 pax): $ 543 £ 308 $ 533 € 340 NZ$ 586 kr 3512 $ 419 One way transfer: Paris CDG to Amboise (5-8pax): $ 623 £ 354 $ 612 € 390 NZ$ 673 kr 4029 $ 481
* The electric bike is a Scott e-sub Active with universal frame, 9-speeds, equipped with 2 rear panniers, 1 handlebar bag with map holder, 1 repair kit, 1 pump, 1 lock, 1 counter, and helmet. 80 to 100 km autonomy.
Trailer bikes, tandems, children bikes, and baby seat available. Please ask.Extra nights Standard category Superior category Deluxe category Amboise B&B $ 101 £ 57 $ 99 € 63 NZ$ 109 kr 651 $ 78 $ 152 £ 86 $ 149 € 95 NZ$ 164 kr 981 $ 117 $ 219 £ 124 $ 215 € 137 NZ$ 236 kr 1415 $ 169 Single room supplement $ 48 £ 27 $ 47 € 30 NZ$ 52 kr 310 $ 37 $ 112 £ 63 $ 110 € 70 NZ$ 121 kr 723 $ 86 $ 176 £ 100 $ 173 € 110 NZ$ 190 kr 1136 $ 136 Chateaux package: $ 104 £ 59 $ 102 € 65 NZ$ 112 kr 671 $ 80 Electric bike* rental: $ 64 £ 36 $ 63 € 40 NZ$ 69 kr 413 $ 49 Extra day electric bike rental: $ 48 £ 27 $ 47 € 30 NZ$ 52 kr 310 $ 37 Extra day hybrid touring bike rental: $ 32 £ 18 $ 31 € 20 NZ$ 34 kr 207 $ 25 One way transfer: Paris CDG to Amboise (1-4 pax): coming soon
One way transfer: Paris CDG to Amboise (5-8pax): coming soon* The electric bike is a Scott e-sub Active with universal frame, 9-speeds, equipped with 2 rear panniers, 1 handlebar bag with map holder, 1 repair kit, 1 pump, 1 lock, 1 counter, and helmet. 80 to 100 km autonomy.
Trailer bikes, tandems, children bikes, and baby seat available. Please ask.
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
Easy self guided bike tour on flat terrain.
Airport Info
Fly to Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG).
Local Travel
You will have a couple of options to travel from the airport to Amboise. You can take the TGV from the airport to St. Pierre des Corps, transfer and then take the express regional train to Amboise. You can also take a train via Paris Austerlitz to Amboise. Be sure to research local travel before your tour and note that TGV travel requires advance reservation. You can visit the SNCF website for more information and to book.
Climate
Please check local conditions before arrival. Once Spring arrives in the Loire Valley, the days begin to get longer and the temperatures rise steadily to up around 68° F/20°C. You can have misty starts to the morning clearing away quickly to give very pleasant days and nights. There will be occasional days of rain but rarely for long periods. This is also a good time to visit as there are fewer tourists around! Late spring and into summer brings dependable weather with long dry spells with average daily temperatures around 75°/24°C. July temperatures peak as high as 82°/28°C dropping to 72°/22°C as September approaches. On average, there are 11 days of rainfall during this period. It may not be as warm as those in the far south of France, but a far more comfortable heat. The climate in Amboise is categorized as warm and temperate. A good website to visit to research average high/low temperatures, average rainfall, and more is weatherbase.com.
Day of Rest
Any day can be designated a day of rest!
Remarks
Ebikes are also available to hire!
Important to know
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Before you travel, please check your country's passport and visa requirements and the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. For US citizens, the US Department of State website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab in the International Travel section provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc. For our other international clients, please be sure that you research your own country's travel requirements. It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure proper documentation.
*Important note: Beginning July 1, 2021, additional documentation from the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.
Extra Stay
Always recommended!
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Loire Valley Travel.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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