Day 1. Tours

Arrive in Tours and check into your central hotel. Set up and orientation meeting with our guide today. Take the afternoon to visit the cathedral before enjoying a drink in a ‘guinguette’, a bar on the bank of the river with a lively atmosphere.

Day 2. Tours to Azay Le Rideau

35 km (100m ascent)

Depart Tours and pedal along the Cher riverbanks as you head west. Stop to discover the exhilaration of colours and beauty of the gardens of the famous Château de Villandry – a magical place. You are now in the heart of sixteenth century France. Leave the Loire riverbanks and head south, cycling through vineyards and forest. Reach the incredible castle of Azay-le-Rideau, set on an island in the middle of the Indre river. For many, this is the greatest example of early French renaissance architecture. Relax in the local town of Azay, a peaceful place to contemplate your day’s adventure.

Tour Style

Leisure Tour – Self Guided

Bikes – Hybrid or Trekking

Group Size – 2+

Route – Tours, Azay Le Rideau, Chinon, Saumur, Angers

Riding Level

Easy – distances are a daily average of 35km. The terrain is mainly flat with a couple of small hills. Good surfaced roads on quiet country routes (busier near the bigger cities and town of Blois). Suitable for hybrid-touring bikes.

Accommodation

5 Nights

Historic and comfortable 3 star hotels

Food

All 5 breakfasts

Extras Included

• Luggage delivered to your next hotel
• Welcome meeting and introduction to the route and area
• Emergency support and contact details
• Pre-tour pack
• Tour guide book / maps / route notes

Staff

1 representative will meet and greet in Tours and give an introduction to the area and route.

Extras Not Included

• Lunch and dinners
• Visits to monuments
• Bike Rental
• High Season Supplement in July and August, 35 Eur extra pp (Single supplement 325 Eur)
• Jersey: Receive a Cycling Country custom designed Loire Valley Cycling Jersey, delivered to your home before departure: 59 Eur per jersey inc p&p
• Optional extra nights

If you have been trying the famous Loire Valley wine then you will appreciate a good bed at the end of the day! The hotels will not disappoint. They are all set in convenient places and close to sights. Good quality 3 star lodgings will be a welcome place to come to after each day’s cycle. Lay your head and dream again of all the things you have seen that day.

A small luxury guest house with refined simplicity, la Maison Jules is set in a charming 19th century mansion, with gardens in the heart of the city of Tours, France. Capital of the Loire valley and Touraine, Tours is one of the must see places of this cultural region, declared a World Heritage UNESCO site in 2000.

The building that now houses the Hôtel Diderot goes back to the 15th century, and its history is intwined with that of the neighbouring Saint-Mexme collegiate church.
Before being a hotel, a family of public servants, the Baillons, lived in the main building, and the right wing hosted the archives of the city of Chinon.

We had a great time! Everything was very well organised and the hotels were just what we were looking for. The routes were all great. We loved the whole region, to be honest with you! So thanks very much!
Jane Shoulmer – Worcester, England, June 2019

Well, the fantastic scenery around the Loire river was so impressive. The hotels were comfortable to relax in and get the peace we needed. We will be back for sure! Thanks Cycling Country!
Will Rooks – USA, April 2018

Testimonials from previous cyclists are always available and we enjoy receiving the feedback after tours. It helps us improve our services and offer you an even better experience. Please feel free to contact us if you would like a reference to talk to. Others have also posted reviews on the independent travel website .