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  • Loire Valley 

The Loire by Bike from Orléans to Tours

Cycling through the heart of the Kings’ Valley

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From
615€/person
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Presentation of your trip

The Loire Valley is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its gentle climate captivated the Kings of France, who built some of the most magnificent Renaissance castles along the riverbanks: Chambord, Blois, Amboise and Chenonceau.

Cycle along Europe’s last great wild river and discover its rich heritage by following the Loire à Vélo cycle routes. From Orléans to Tours, you will ride through the heart of the Kings’ Valley, take the time to taste the wines that have made the region famous, and observe the wildlife of the Loire.

This is also the essence of the French art of living!

  • DestinationLoire Valley
  • TypeFree
  • Length of trip6 days and 5 nights
  • ActivitiesCycling/All Terrain Biking
  • Physical level
LaRébenne-Loire-velo

Famous route

The Loire by bike

Possible periods for this trip

  • Jan.
  • Feb.
  • March
  • Apr.
  • May
  • June
  • Jul.
  • August
  • Sep.
  • Oct.
  • Nov.
  • Dec.

DescriptionProgramPratical informationDates and priceContact

Trip details

Highlights

  • The most famous sites in the Loire Valley
  • Charming villages
  • Less well-known sites
  • A journey into the Loire lifestyle

Complementary informations

  • A 6-day, 5-night cycling journey with 5 days on the bike
  • Self-guided cycling holiday

Program

  • Day 1

    Arrival in Orléans.

      Check-in at your accommodation. Set out to discover the capital of medieval France by wandering through the narrow streets of the old town, where architectural heritage can be found around every corner.

    • Day 2

      From Orléans to Beaugency

      • Distance : 32 km

      Leave the city of Joan of Arc via the Pont de l’Europe, a remarkable feat of engineering that marks the beginning of your journey along the Loire.
      Nature takes centre stage at the confluence of the Loiret and the Loire rivers, where you will cycle through the Saint-Mesmin nature reserve. The first château you will encounter is Meung-sur-Loire, with its beautiful French-style gardens. You will then stop in Beaugency, where its legendary bridge will lead you into the heart of this picturesque medieval town.

    • Day 3

      From Beaugency to Blois

      • Distance : 47 km

      Cross to the other side of the river to reach the jewel of the Loire Valley: Château de Chambord.
      This masterpiece of Renaissance architecture, commissioned by Francis I, awaits you, nestled within its vast 5,000-hectare estate. The famous double-helix staircase will take you up to the terraces overlooking the forest of chimneys. You may be lucky enough to spot a herd of deer along the cycle paths leading to the royal city of Blois.

    • Day 4

      Cycling loop from Blois

      • Distance : 34 km

      Each château has its own story, its kings and its symbols. Château de Blois combines the emblem of Louis XII, the porcupine, with that of Francis I, the salamander. It is a true architectural panorama, with its four wings built in different styles surrounding the main courtyard. After visiting the Royal Château of Blois, hop back on your bike and head towards Cheverny. The cartoonist Hergé drew inspiration from it when creating Château de Moulinsart in the adventures of Tintin.

    • Day 5

      From Blois to Chenonceau

      • Distance : 49 km

      Ride to Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire and its gardens, following the banks of the Loire. The château terraces offer one of the finest views over the wild Loire River. Admire the estate’s gardens, redesigned every year by creators from around the world.

      Continue your journey towards Chenonceau. You will briefly leave the Loire to follow one of its tributaries, the Cher River. The “Ladies’ Château” is inseparable from the river it gracefully spans. Explore the gardens shaped by the influence of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis.

    • Day 6

      From Chenonceau to Tours

      • Distance : 35 km

      Return to the banks of the Loire at Amboise. The royal château of Charles VIII and Francis I dominates the landscape. Don’t miss the Clos Lucé, the final residence of Leonardo da Vinci, one of the greatest minds of the Renaissance. Tours welcomes you with its historic districts, centred around the famous Place Plum’, a beloved spot among the people of Tours.

      Be sure to sample the local cuisine in one of the city’s many riverside guinguettes: Loire fritters or pike-perch with beurre blanc sauce, accompanied by a chilled glass of wine, are waiting to be enjoyed!

      End of the tour.

    • End of trip

    Pratical information

    • Luggage

      Simply carry what you need for the day — we’ll take care of transferring your luggage from one accommodation to the next. Each participant may bring one soft-sided bag weighing up to 20 kg, clearly labelled with the booking holder’s name.

    • Formalities

      • A valid official ID
      • We recommend travel insurance with repatriation included

    • Departure and meeting point

      Arrival in Orléans (45).

      How to get there:

      • By car: take the A10 motorway towards Orléans.
      • By train: arrive at Orléans-Centre or Fleury-les-Aubrais SNCF railway station, then take tram line A to the city centre.
      • By plane: fly into Orly or Tours airports, then take a taxi (approximately 1 hour by road).

    • Accommodation

      Enjoy nights in comfortable rooms for two or three people, in guesthouses or three- or four-star hotels, depending on the option you choose. We have carefully selected these accommodation options for their warm welcome and comfort, their charm and their proximity to the route. Bed linen and towels are provided, and each room has an en-suite bathroom.

      Choose the accommodation category that suits you:

      • Freedom package with luggage transport and accommodation in 3-star hotels
      • Freedom package with luggage transport and accommodation in 4-star hotels

    • Food

      Breakfasts are included in your stay, allowing you to start each day of cycling in the best possible way. Lunches and dinners are not included, giving you the freedom to choose, along your route, the restaurants, markets, and local hidden gems where you can discover the flavours and specialities of the region.

    • Difficulty level

      This trip is suitable for active travellers in good physical condition who regularly enjoy cycling or other sports activities.
      Daily cycling stages range from 33 to 54 km, with no significant climbs and a mostly flat route.

    • Accompanying

      Self-guided tour : Set off on the date that suits you and make the most of your cycling holiday with complete peace of mind. We take care of everything: booking your accommodation, transporting your luggage and planning your itinerary.

      All you have to do is cycle! With your roadbook and our navigation app, you can follow a route we’ve designed for you, at your own pace and entirely independently.
      An ideal package for combining freedom, comfort and peace of mind whilst discovering the most beautiful cycling routes.

    Dates and price

    Freedom Package Rates

    Price TTC per person

    3* hotel, double room (6 days)
    Dates A*
    2 pers.625 €
    3 pers.620 €
    4-5 pers.615 €
    6 people and +595 €
    4* hotels (6 days)
    Dates A*
    2 pers.1285 €
    3 pers.1280 €
    4-5 pers.1250 €
    6 people and +1225 €

    * Travel periods
    • Dates A: 1 avril to 31 octobre

    Options

    Additional night in Orléans (breakfast included)

    3-star hotels

    • Double or twin room: €90 per person
    • Single room: €130 per person

    4-star hotels

    • Double or twin room: €140 per person
    • Single room: €195 per person

    Additional night in Tours (breakfast included)

    4-star hotels

    • Double or twin room: €72 per person
    • Single room: €116 per person

     

    Single room accommodation for the entire trip

    • 3-star hotels: €175 per person
    • 4-star hotels: €300 per person

     

    Bike rental

    We offer two types of bikes for rental. Bikes will be available at your first accommodation, and their return transfer will be organised by our transport provider.

    The rental includes a standard bike or an electric-assist bike, a pair of rear panniers, a handlebar bag and a helmet. Bikes are equipped with a luggage rack, a basic repair kit, a lock and a pump.

    • Standard bike (5 days): €185 per bike
    • Electric-assist bike (5 days): €290 per bike

    Please remember to provide your height when booking.

    The price includes

    • accommodation in a double or triple room
    • breakfast
    • transport of one piece of luggage per person (max. 20 kg)
    • tourist taxes
    • access to our smartphone navigation app
    • a personalised itinerary (PDF format)
    • the ability to track your booking via your personal MyLaRébenne account
    • full organisation and logistics for your stay
    • 24-hour telephone support

    The price does not include

    • Transport to the starting point and from the finishing point
    • Lunches
    • Dinners
    • Drinks and personal expenses
    • Bike and equipment hire
    • Visits not included in the itinerary
    • Travel insurance
    • Anything not mentioned under ‘The price includes

    Request for quote or information

    The destination

    • Loire Valley

      The Loire Valley offers of course magnificent panoramas on the river, but also the unmissable castles of the Loire, natural parks, charming villages, a unique gastronomic offer. To say, the Loire Valley is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since November 30, 2000 as a cultural landscape. Nothing but that!

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