Loire to Atlantic 10-day Self-guided Cycling Tour (Level 2)

by Tour provider slowtours

Region

Loire Valley

Duration

10 days

Guided Status

Self-Guided

Difficulty

Moderate

D-Score™

N/A - Unknown

Overview

The impressive cultural monuments of the Loire castles Idyllic natural experience Lively French towns A bold leap into the waves of the Atlantic You'll cycle mostly on asphalted and well-maintained gravel paths, with occasional stretches on quiet side roads. Each stage covers up to 75 kilometers (about 45 miles), allowing plenty of time to enjoy the region's highlights. The well-marked route features only a few moderate climbs, but in return, you'll be treated to breathtaking views. Occasionally, you may encounter some headwinds as you make your way toward the Atlantic. 9x nights in 3* hotels (French classification) Breakfast Luggage transfer Welcome briefing (English) Digital travel documents incl. navigation app, GPS-data, route book Service hotline

Daily Ride Schedule

Day 1: Arrival in Orléans

Arrival in Orléans

Day 2: Orléans – Blois

65 km 0 m

N/A

Orléans – Blois

Day 3: Blois – Tours

75 km 0 m

N/A

Blois – Tours

Day 4: Tours – Chinon

55 km 0 m

N/A

Tours – Chinon

Day 5: Chinon – Saumur

40 km 0 m

N/A

Chinon – Saumur

Day 6: Saumur - Angers

55 km 0 m

N/A

Saumur - Angers

Accommodation & Services

Accommodation

Hotel

What's Included

Catering services

Accommodation arrangements

Bike rental

About the Loire Valley

A dedicated guide for this region is not available yet.

EUR 1469

per person

Go to Provider

Why Choose This Tour?

France's longest river is also one of the last free-flowing rivers in Europe--wild, beautiful, and captivating is the landscape between Tours and Saint-Nazaire.
Magnificent castles like Villandry and Saumur, with their architectural charm and splendid gardens, lie along your route.
Stroll through colorful markets and savor aromatic local specialties as you rest in the idyllic Loire villages.
The region's vineyards shape both the landscape and the cuisine, and you'll cycle repeatedly through gentle rolling wine hills.
The larger towns of Angers and Nantes enchant with their picturesque old towns.
Finally, you'll reach Saint-Nazaire and the spectacular Atlantic coast.
The first day is perfect for the start of the cycle tour.
Perfectly signposted, leading on flat terrain throughout and featuring best trail conditions the Loire-cycle path presents its best side.
Beautiful views onto the river, the off majestic villa and little palaces keep you on your toes en route to Blois.
Apart from the palace the cathedral, the beautifully restored historic centre and the stone bridge across the river Loire are especially worth a visit.
Fascinating views onto the gold-shimmering sandbanks of the Loire and with the characteristic cliff dwellings of this region are lying in front of you.
Halfway along the route the most royal palace of all Loire-palaces awaits: Amboise palace.
It was home to five kings and one Roman emperor.
Also, a genius from the 16th century, Leonardo da Vinci, who spent his last few years here in Amboise, draws attention to it.
You can also visit his manor.
You proceed along the shores of the Loire until Tours.
The river Cher, a Loire tributary, leads you directly to Villandry palace with its terraced gardens.
Certainly, you should not miss paying a visit to this famous installation.
Every visitor will be amazed by the shadowy footpaths, the flower-bedecked bowers, the fountains and the artistically laid out vegetable gardens.
Some kilometres further on you will exchange the bank of the Cher for the bank of the famous Loire.
And again you will be tempted by the next castle – Langeais.
From the top of the fortified tower (this castle exclusively served for military purposes) you will see the river and its whole surroundings lying in front of you.
Via small villages and on side roads you will reach today’s Day Finish – Chinon, impressing visitors with its mighty castle complex.
You leave Chinon with its medieval alleyways and follow the river Vienne to Candes-St.
Martin.
A charming stroll through the village up to the highest point of the hill enables an impressive view onto the confluence of both rivers Vienne and Loire.
Shortly before arriving in Saumur there is a special highlight.
The bike path leads right through the mystic rockhouses of Souzey.
We highly recommend another panoramic view onto the vast Loire-valley later from Saumur palace.
After some kilometres you enter the vineyards situated at the southern shores of the Loire.
On gentle hills you cycle right through the wineyards.
Back again at the coast you cycle through quiet, medieval villages towards your next big Day Finish Angers.
Be inspired by the lively university town situated at the Maine.
In case this tour is too strenuous for you, you can bypass the route by train from Saumur onwards.
Angers is situtated on the river Maine, the final significant tributary of the Loire before the Atlantic.
You follow this river until is joins the river Loire at La Pointe-Bouchemaine.
You continue along the foot of a slate-granite massif until Savennières featuring the oldest church of the region.
Some of the best wines of the Loire-valley are grown here, fruity, dry white wines – we recommend a visit to one of the vintners.
From La Poissonnière the route leads you via dykes with wonderful views onto the river Loire into the trim little town Saint-Florent-le-Vieil.
Another day along the Loire river through continuously changing scenery awaits.
The Loire now finally enters Brittany and carves through slate- and granit rocks all the way to Nantes.
The cycle path changes the side of the river several times, which also includes tackling a few smaller ascents – which again rewards you with beautiful views.
The Loire ‚escorts‘ you into the centre of the historic capital of Brittany, Nantes.
Although the Loire estuary into the Atlantic is another 70 km away the influence of the sea is already noticeable and visible.
Now the river becomes ever wider, the scenery increasingly placid.
You proceed through little villages always to the Loire ending in the Atlantic Ocean.
Only the impressive bridge over the Loire River separates you from Saint Nazaire.
Visit the Atlantic shipyard, which is one of the largest ship building corporations in the world, or the submarine bunker, which is also accessible by bike.