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. You'll cycle mostly on asphalted and well-maintained gravel paths, with occasional stretches on quiet side roads. Each stage covers up to 65 kilometers (about 40 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. 7x nights in 3* hotels (French classification) Breakfast Luggage transfer Welcome briefing (English) Digital travel documents incl. navigation app, GPS-data, route book Service hotline Bike rental, including rental bike insurance Tourist tax if due Printed route book, per person EUR 20 Drinks, dinners and lunches Anything not mentioned in 'included' If you would like to rent a 21-Gear bike (109 EUR) or E-bike (299 EUR) please contact our office when booking: [[email protected]] For your global travel insurance and evacuation services click on this link to get a quote (all quotes are in USD) in just a few moments: [Global Travel Insurance](<https://partner.globalrescue.com/slowtoursptyltd/index.html>) Arrival by train to Tours or St. Nazaire Paris airport Parking: chargeable hotel garage, approx. EUR 15 per day, public garage, approx. EUR 12 per day Departure by train from Saint Nazaire to Tours on weekends is possible without changing trains, free bike transport, duration approx. 3 hours Return transfer by minibus from Saint Nazaire to Tours every SAT morning, costs EUR 119 per person, EUR 49 extra for your own bike, to be paid in advance, reservation is necessary Departures Saturday Extra nights (price depends on date booked) Tours: From 99 EUR p.p (+79 EUR single room) St. Nazaire: From 75 EUR p.p (+49 EUR single room) This trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility Rental bike PLUS - 189 EUR on request 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 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. We highly recommend another panoramic view onto the vast Loire-valley from Saumur palace. After that you enter the vineyards situated at the southers shores of the Loire and cycle towards your next big Day Finish Angers. In case this tour is too strenuous for you, you can bypass the route by train from Saumur onwards. After some kilometres you enter the vineyards situated at the southern shores of the Loire. On gentle hills you cycle right through the vineyards. 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. Angers is situated 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 downstream 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. If you would like to drive yourself before or after your tour, ask us for a quote on any brand new Renault, Peugeot or Citroen vehicle for driving in Europe. Pick up your vehicle from most capital cities in Europe and return it to your drop off destination. Top insurance cover. Email [[email protected]](</cdn-cgi/l/email-protection>) for a competitive quote Local language barriers. Lost passport. Unexpected medical expenses. Sometimes, our trips don’t go as planned. That’s why Slow Tours Pty Ltd wants you to have the most robust travel advisory and protection for your vacation. Ask us for a quote [[email protected]](</cdn-cgi/l/email-protection>)
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