Loire Valley

Tour type

Self-guided

Departure dates

SA 7.05 - 17.09.2022

Price per person
7.05 - 17.09.2022
3/4* hotels with swimming pool

680 € in double room
990 € in single room

3rd person in triple room:
580 € >16 years
450 € 13-15 years
320 € 6-12 years
Free 0-5 years - baby cot to be paid on site

Included

• 6 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast
• App including maps, roadbook, points of interest and GPS tracks
• Digital tour information
• Luggage transportation
• Hotline service
• Hotel taxes

Not included

• Everything not mentioned in the section “Included”

Supplements per person
Girolibero rental bikes
including insurance against theft and damage
85 € Touring bike
220 € E-bike
85 € Child bike | 20” and 24" wheels
85 € Child bike | 20” wheels wtih FollowMe-Tandem
170 € Family and Adult Tandems
85 € Child trailer | max 35 kg | 1-4 yrs | 1 seat
15 € Helmet | head circumferences 54-61 cm
Free Child rear seat | max 22 kg

Extra nights
in double / single room with breakfast
Extra nights in Blois on request

1. Blois
Individual arrival.
 
2. Blois – Amboise (45 km)
We saddle up for the start of a magical ride that today takes us along the River Loire as far as Amboise. Steeped in history, the atmospheric market town is celebrated for its château and the Clos-Lucé manor, where Leonardo lived for three years (and died) and where some of his remarkable inventions are on display. The 19th-century turtle fountain (topped by a teddy bear figure), the Clock Tower and the 7-level Chinese Pagoda all add to the town’s interest.
 
3. Amboise – Chenoncheaux (35 km)
We start the day cycling through the magnificent Forest of Amboise and into fields of wheat and barley. Our destination is the Château de Chenonceau, its gardens fabulously landscaped against the meandering River Cher. What better way to enjoy today’s exploration through verdant landscapes than astride our two-wheeled steeds. Expect some ups and downs shortly before Chenoncheaux (it is always possible to return by train).
 
4. Amboise – Chitenay (45 km)
Fields of wheat and poppy meadows scattered with centennial oaks: welcome to the fertile farmlands of Touraine. The scenery is dotted with delightful hamlets such as Fougères and Vallières-les-Grandes, and towered by majestic castles – among them Fougères-sur-Biévre – all awaiting your discovery. The picturesque route takes us largely along quiet roads and the only challenging climb is a 1km stretch right at the start.
 
5. Chitenay – Blois (35 km)
An easy ride takes you from Chitenay to charming Cellettes, a commune bathed by the placid River Beuvron, for a visit to the Renaissance Château de Beauregard. After traversing the enchanting Forest of Roussy, we come to the Loire and the town of Blois, which welcomes you with its elegant bridge, monuments, works of art and narrow alleyways tangled around its castle.
 
6. Blois – Chambord (45 km)
Today’s stage leads us to one of the most famous and majestic of all Loire castles: Chambord. Leaving the hotel, we head for Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire, an ancient hamlet perched on the river. From here we continue southwards into the heart of the countryside until we reach the castle’s surrounding forest.
 
7. Blois
After breakfast, end of tour.

Due to organisational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations caused by roadworks, which cannot be foreseen; in this case please follow the indications you will find on site.

• Total length: 205 km
• Total vertical up: 440 m
• Terrain: 90% tarmac, 10% unpaved
• Train connection among the overnight stays: day 2
• Possibility to shorten the itinerary by taking the train: day 2 and 3

Routes are devised with the younger travellers in mind and are predominantly on cycleways and quiet roads.

Leisure cycling in mostly flat areas, with only a few short ups and downs. Little effort required, suitable for everyone.

Blois is connected with the following airports:
Tours: 60 km, Paris: 140 km.

For further information on train timetables and prices you can consult the following website: www.sncf.com.

We personally choose all the hotels mindful of your comfort as well as the proximity to cycling paths and any relevant local sites.

You will be accommodated in 3/4* hotels with swimming pool.

 All rooms have en suite facilities.

When you book the tour please specify the type of room requested:

• double room is a room with one double bed
• twin room is a room with two single beds
• triple room is usually a room with one double bed and a single bed or a sofa bed
• a family room could be converted into two double/twin rooms next to each other, according to availability

Girolibero bikes are available in different sizes and frames:

• Touring bike 27-gear Shimano Deore
• E-bike 9-gear Shimano

Features:

• aluminium frame
• mudguard
• rear rack
• comfort gel saddle www.selleroyal.com
• anti-puncture Schwalbe tyres
• ergonomic bicycle grips
• Speed Lifter system

You can also rent:

• Child bikes | 20” and 24” wheels
• Child seat | max 22 kg | 1-5 yrs
• Child trailer | max 35 kg | 1-4 yrs | 1 seat | www.croozer.com
• Follow-me tandem for 20” child bike | max 30 kg | 6-8 yrs | www.followmetandem.co.uk
• Family tandem | 1 adult + 1 child 6-8 yrs

These accessories can only be mounted on unisex 27-gear Shimano Deore Touring bikes.


Accessories
All rented adult bikes are equipped with:

• 1 cycle computer  
• 1 Ortlieb one-sided saddlebag
• 1 front bar bag per room
• 1 repair kit per room: 1 spare inner tube, glue, patch, a pump, 2 allen keys and tyre levers 
• 1 combination bike lock

At the moment of booking you can also rent helmets suitable for head circumferences from 54 to 61 cm. All our helmets have a certification mark according to the DIN EN 1078 (CE) European norm.

Important notes:
We recommend that you bring your own reusable water bottle with you.

In order to cycle smoothly following our App, we suggest that you bring with you a holder for your mobile phone to be fixed on the handlebar, as well as a power bank (even if the App can be used offline, too).

Before your arrival, you will receive an email from us with the digital information material. It contains:

1. Link to download the App including maps, roadbook,  points of interest and GPS tracks (you can use the App offline, too)

2. Link to download the tour information material in Pdf:

• Tour notes
• Final tour details

3. Digital travel documents:

• Final hotel list (due to overbooking or organizational needs your hotel list may change just before your arrival)
• Hotel vouchers to show to the hotel reception upon arrival

Staff support

In the Final Tour Details you will find the contact phone numbers you can call during the tour in case of emergency.