Amboise in the Loire Valley
France Bike Tours
Bike tour featuring vineyards & castles in the Loire Valley
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length4 days
- Prices from€510 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 tours in France including hiking, bike & boat, or more specifically, the Loire Valley for you to explore!
Itinerary
Please note that we highly recommend that you book an extra night both before and after your tour so that you can fully experience the different itineraries and full chateaux package offered. In this way, you can arrive to your chosen accommodation, rest and recover, and be ready for cycling the next day. As well, at the end of your last excursion, you do not have to worry about being ready to check-out after a full day on the bike.
Itinerary 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.Itinerary 2: Chenonceau, 28 mi. (45 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.Itinerary 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.Itinerary 4: Vouvray Vineyards, 30 mi. (48 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!Your tour will officially end on Day 4 so we strongly suggest that you request an addtional night in the level of accommodation of your choosing.
Think about booking the Chateaux Package! See pricing.
- Châteaux of Amboise
- Park Leonardo da Vinci in Amboise
- Château of Chenonceaux
- Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire (château + garden festival)
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Map
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)
- Bike protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
2022
Daily arrivals are possible from March 1 to October 31, 2022
Please Note
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2022
Standard category Superior category Deluxe category Twin/double $ 790 £ 448 $ 698 € 510 ₪ 1900 NZ$ 873 kr 5606 $ 543 $ 945 £ 536 $ 835 € 610 ₪ 2273 NZ$ 1045 kr 6705 $ 649 $ 1301 £ 738 $ 1,149 € 840 ₪ 3130 NZ$ 1439 kr 9233 $ 894 Single supplement $ 147 £ 83 $ 130 € 95 ₪ 354 NZ$ 163 kr 1044 $ 101 $ 294 £ 167 $ 260 € 190 ₪ 708 NZ$ 325 kr 2088 $ 202 $ 310 £ 176 $ 274 € 200 ₪ 745 NZ$ 343 kr 2198 $ 213 Extra Options
Dinners included:
Standard category Superior category Deluxe category 2 dinners included (excluding drinks) $ 116 £ 66 $ 103 € 75 ₪ 279 NZ$ 128 kr 824 $ 80 $ 139 £ 79 $ 123 € 90 ₪ 335 NZ$ 154 kr 989 $ 96 $ 139 £ 79 $ 123 € 90 ₪ 335 NZ$ 154 kr 989 $ 96 Extra nights:
Standard category Superior category Deluxe category Amboise B&B $ 90 £ 51 $ 79 € 58 ₪ 216 NZ$ 99 kr 638 $ 62 $ 130 £ 74 $ 115 € 84 ₪ 313 NZ$ 144 kr 923 $ 89 $ 245 £ 139 $ 216 € 158 ₪ 589 NZ$ 271 kr 1737 $ 168 Single room supplement $ 46 £ 26 $ 41 € 30 ₪ 112 NZ$ 51 kr 330 $ 32 $ 93 £ 53 $ 82 € 60 ₪ 224 NZ$ 103 kr 659 $ 64 $ 93 £ 53 $ 82 € 60 ₪ 224 NZ$ 103 kr 659 $ 64 Chateaux package: $ 105 £ 60 $ 93 € 68 ₪ 253 NZ$ 116 kr 747 $ 72 Electric bike: $ 62 £ 35 $ 55 € 40 ₪ 149 NZ$ 69 kr 440 $ 43 Extra day electric bike rental: $ 46 £ 26 $ 41 € 30 ₪ 112 NZ$ 51 kr 330 $ 32 Extra day hybrid touring bike rental: $ 31 £ 18 $ 27 € 20 ₪ 75 NZ$ 34 kr 220 $ 21 Transfers:
One way transfer: Paris CDG to Amboise (1-4 pax): $ 666 £ 378 $ 588 € 430 ₪ 1602 NZ$ 736 kr 4726 $ 458 One way transfer: Paris CDG to Amboise (5-8 pax): coming soonTrailer bikes, tandems, children's bikes, and baby seats are available. Please ask.
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
This is an easy to moderate self-guided bike tour on flat terrain in which you will be accommodated in one hotel. You decide how far you want to cycle each day.
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.
Day of Rest
Any day can be designated a day of rest!
Remarks
Children’s bikes, trailers, FollowMe tandem, and baby seats are available for rental. Just ask.
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.
*Please check the status of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) as once implemented 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.
Covid-19 Info
Country Entry Requirements
Due to the changing requirements for entry, it is imperative that you stay up to date on requirements set by the country/countries that you are visiting. Please visit our Travel Restrictions Tool page and the country/countries government webpage for this information.
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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