Self-guided Cycling Tour along the rivers Loire, Indre & Cher in the heart of a tranquil and beautiful area planted with vineyards and orchards, blessed with manors and chateaux. Enjoy your cycling stay in the best deluxe chateau-hotels of the Loire Valley. These sumptuous residences will guarantee you comfort and a warm welcome. Tour character: Level 2/3. Average = a little bit hilly stages OR stages between 40 km and 50 km. Included in the Cycling Tour: 7 nights' accommodation in 4* and / or 5* Chateau-hotels, Transport of luggage between hotels (1 luggage, 20kg per person), 1 x folder per room with colour maps, itineraries & tourist information, 1 Welcome bottle of local wine, 1 lunch in a gourmet restaurant at the foot of the chateau de Chambord (drinks excluded), SPA access for 2 days at chateau d'Artigny in Montbazon, Personalised app navigation, Taxes & services, Hotline 7 days per week. Notes: Extra nights in Amboise: From 175 EUR p.p (+150 EUR single person), Chateau vist package - 130 EUR per person: Includes - Domaine de Chambord (chateau + gardens), Chateau de Chenonceau, 1 local wine tasting, Chateau d'Azay le Rideau, Chateau de Cheverny, Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire (chateau + Garden Festival) and Park Leonardo Da Vinci in Amboise, Canoe Trip on the Cher River - 18 EUR per person, Hot Air Balloon Flight - 275 EUR per person (On a minimum basis of 2 participants - non exclusive flight, depending on weather), Departures any day March to October. Arrival/ Departure: Transfer from Paris on request, Arrival - Train : From Paris : Austerlitz train station > Amboise train station (about 1h50 by train). If you would like to rent a Trekking bike (135 EUR) or E-bike (210 EUR) please contact our office when booking. Slow Tours offers a number of other Cycling Tours in Europe. Day 1: Arrival in Amboise. The nice town of Amboise, built at the edge of the Loire River, is overlooked by its Royal Chateau where the most important kings of France lived. Do not forget to visit the Manoir du Clos Lucé where Leonardo da Vinci, invited by his friend Francis the 1st, lived the last 3 years of his life. Included: a welcome bottle of local wine in your room. Day 2: Amboise – Montbazon | 45 km. Follow the "Loire à Vélo" cycling paths through the vineyards of Montlouis and its numerous wine cellars producing the famous sweet or sparkling white wines. Then, take time to enjoy the old and vibrant quarters of Tours city and especially the “Place Plumereau”, a beautiful square with half-timbered houses. Proceed along the Touraine countryside to reach your next chateau-hotel. Day 3: Excursion to Azay le Rideau | 55 km. Ride on the "Indre à vélo" cycling paths along the winding Indre river and admire its beautiful mills and typical villages, before joining Azay le Rideau and its romantic Renaissance château, elegantly enclosed in its water and greenery setting. Included: SPA access for 2 days. Day 4: Montbazon – Chenonceaux | 40 km / 50 km. Ride along the tortuous Indre river to reach the Cher Valley by crossing vineyards and typical small Touraine villages. Then, you will discover Chenonceaux, famous for its Renaissance château spanning the Cher river still steeped in memories of the famous ladies in French History : Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis. Day 5: Chenonceaux – Cheverny | 48 km. Leave the Chenonceaux to reach the nice medieval village of Montrichard. It is time to ride through the vineyards of Touraine area via the chateau of Gué Péan and the medieval chateau of Fougères sur Bièvre, a perfect illustration of the traditional 15th century building art. A beautiful itinerary through the countryside and vineyards before reaching the famous château of Cheverny. Day 6: Excursion to Chambord | 50 km. A ride through the rich and mysterious ‘Sologne’ with magnificent landscapes : beautiful forests sheltering game, ponds at every crossroad and small private châteaux hidden behind their vineyards or groves. After a short stop at the chateau of Villesavin, continue through the rich Domaine de Chambord forest, where a stop is essential to visit the most famous and majestic château in the Loire Valley. In its Renaissance splendour, the Château de Chambord boasts no less than 440 rooms. Included: a lunch in a gourmet restaurant at the foot of the chateau de Chambord. Day 7: Cheverny – Amboise | 50 km. For your last cycling day, ride through the AOC Cheverny vineyards before going back on “Loire à Vélo” cycling tracks! Reach the castle of Chaumont sur Loire. Not to be missed: The International Garden Festival which takes place in the vast park of the Estate. An absolute laboratory for the contemporary creation, where the world famous designers challenge their originality. Then go on, between vineyards and Loire river, to reach the royal city of Amboise. Day 8: Departure during the day. Car rental in France: 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. Travel Insurance for France: Wander the World Without Worry. 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.
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