Book Your 2024 Holiday Today

The Best of the Loire Valley

7 nights from £845.00

Cycling Trip Highlights

  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites and world famous chateaux
  • The gardens of Chateau Chambord
  • The Loire Valley food, wine and historic villages
  • Predominantly flat roads on dedicated cycleways
The Best of the Loire Valley
7 nights from £845.00
Make an Enquiry
WE LOVEChateaux and Stunning Architecture
The Loire is home to some of the most famous gardens and Chateaux in the world. There is a reason it is called the Valley of Kings. Explore this magnificent architecture at every turn from the gardens at Chambord, and Villandry to the fairytale Chenonceau arching over the River Cher.
WE LOVELoire Valley Wines
Enjoy crisp white wines on the banks of the Loire, from grapes grown all around you. Some vineyards date back to Roman times and the Loire produces a huge amount and variety of wines, all of which you can enjoy on your cycling holiday in France.

What's Included

Our suggested Loire Valley Cycling Holiday

We can tailor make this trip for you
Day 1Arrival

Arrive into Orleans and check-in to your centrally located hotel before spending the afternoon exploring this beautiful towns historic centre or stroll over Loire on one of its 5 bridges. Your bike will be delivered today.

Day 2Cycling to Beaugency

You will leave your bags at the hotel for collection each day before you start your journey heading downstream along the majestic Loire river.

Today’s ride takes you to the beautiful town of Beaugency via small villages, vineyards and fields of sunflowers. Take a coffee break by the banks of the river as you take in the peacefulness and beauty of this region. Then, as you roll along quiet paths and roads you will almost be able to taste the wonderful local wines and food that you will discover in Beaugency this evening.

Total distance28km
Day 3Cycling to Blois

After starting your day with a traditional French breakfast, leave your bags at the hotel for collection before heading downstream towards one of the largest and most impressive chateaux in the region.

Our route will take you along mostly car free paths and, after a couple of hours of taking in the beauty of the Loire Valley, you will arrive at Chateau Chambord. Taking 15 years to build in the 16th century, it is surrounded by a vast hunting park alive with wildlife and it is the largest walled estate in Europe. Once inside, you will discover its magnificent rooms and its incredible double revolving staircase.

After your visit to the chateau, you will head towards Blois, the capital of Loir-et-Cher department. You will stay in a centrally located hotel. This is the ideal base to explore the beautiful historic town and its Chateau that was home to French Kings during the Renaissance.

Total distance56km
Day 4Cycling to Amboise

Today offers another stunning day of riding through the Pays des Chateau (Land of Castles) towards the Leonardo da Vinci town of Amboise, a stunning medieval town that clusters around its central Chateau.

The Chateau in Amboise is not the only chateau you will come across today as the Chateau Chaumont-sur-Loire sits at the halfway point, providing a great place to stop and have lunch. Its impressive fairy-tale architecture, drawbridge and high towers will draw you in, but it is the grounds that will really impress you. Each year, from April to October, they play host to the International Garden Festival where artists and landscape architects from all over the world ‘compete’ with others on some thirty plots. A delight for all the senses.

If you would prefer to ride a shorter distance today, just let us know and we can provide you with an equally scenic 40km route from Blois to Amboise.

Total distance52km
Day 5Cycling to Tours

You have two choices today on your way to Tours. Either ride the short route of 30km along the river to Tours or head south and visit Chenonceau Chateau. In our opinion, the extra 20km’s are well worth it.

Once you arrive in Tours you can explore and wander around its old town and marvel at sites including the cathedral, Saint-Gatien, with its flamboyant Gothic facade and 12th-century towers.

You will stay in the centre of Tours this evening with many restaurants nearby.

Total distance30km
Day 6Cycling to Saumur

After leaving Tours, you will follow the Cher to see the Chateau and Gardens of Villandry.  Famed for its fabulous ornamental gardens that are themed differently each year but always in perfect harmony with the architecture of the chateau.

After Villandry, the route will take you through several small villages before arriving at what is regarded as the most romantic chateau of the Loire at Montsoreau.

Between Montsoreau and Saumur you will come across many fine examples of the Troglodyte Caves of the Loire Valley. These cave dwellings, built into the side of the limestone cliffs on the banks of the river, offer a fascinating insight into the history of the area.

After a great day in the saddle, you will roll into Saumur for your evening’s accommodation and instantly be impressed by its chateau high on the hill overlooking the town. With two museums, a fortress and links to the nearby world famous Cadre Noir National Riding School, an evening stroll is a must.

There is a shorter, 74km route option today if you’d rather have more time in Saumur at the end of your ride.

Total distance85km
Day 7Cycling to Angers

The final day of your cycling holiday in France will see you ride towards Angers. As you take in your last day on the tranquil banks of the Loire, there could be nowhere better to finish your trip and to savour the delights of the Angevin lifestyle than in Angers.

Spend your last afternoon wandering around Place du Ralliement with its cafe terraces the perfect place to enjoy the flavours of the local gastronomy. As the sun begins to drop we recommend a stroll to the chateau to enjoy the panoramic view from its 17 towers.

The 71km route is the most scenic point to point ride between Saumur and Angers. However, if you’d prefer a shorter ride, just let us know and we can provide you with a more direct but still beautiful 58km route.

Total distance71km
Day 8Departure

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel before departing for your homeward travel.

Make an Enquiry

What to ExpectFrom magnificent Chateaux's to stunning, flat riverside cycling

The Loire Valley is a captivating, quintessentially French region famous for its picturesque villages, wineries and chateaux. The valley extends for 280 kilometres and comprises approximately 800 square kilometres including an area designated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site . With its flat terrain ‘The Garden of France’ is cycling holiday heaven.

8day holiday
Or tailor your trip
40km avg
Expect to ride an average of 40km per day

How's the Weather? in Central France

The SpringApril to May
The days get longer and the temperature gradually rises to around 20°C. You will experience misty mornings which will soon turn into pleasant days. There will be the odd days of rain but rarely for long periods and there are very few tourists at this time of year.
The SummerJune to September
The Loire is not sweltering like the Riviera at this time and so cycling is a perfect activity as summers usually bring long dry spells. Average daily temperatures are around 24°C although mid July can be hotter.
The AutumnOctober to November
Temperatures begin to cool and days can be cool and crisp. The watery sun gets lower and you will experience beautiful autumnal days.
The WinterDecember to March
The Loire is quite cold at this time and you will experience heavy rains so it's not the ideal time to ride.

Latest Blogs

26th March, 2024

The Best Rides in Castellon

Set against the stunning backdrop of Spain's vibrant eastern coast, this region offers a rich tapestry of terrains, from the exhilarating climbs in the inland mountains to the…
3 cyclists riding up a hill
8th February, 2024

Love Velo & Le Col Partnership

We are delighted to announce that we have partnered with Le Col to become their official travel partner. The partnership brings together 2 significant industry brands, each obsessed…