Discover The Enchanting Loire Valley
Posted: 10/08/20
Dotted with majestic châteaux as individual as they are grand, the Loire Valley feels so beautifully out of step with the rest of the world ...
Read more
Your journey so far
Loire Valley Cycling Tours
Our favourite Loire Valley cycling tours
Affectionately known as the Garden of France, the fertile Loire Valley is replete with opulent estates and châteaux that date back thousands of years. Once a popular region with kings, queens and nobles who established their feudal castles and ornate palaces, it hasn’t lost its character. The valleys yield abundant fruit, asparagus and grapevines. The Loire Valley is France’s biggest producer of white wine, including the Sancerre, Vouvray and Quincy appellations and the perfect destination for a leisurely cycling holiday.
Our Loire Valley cycling holidays tend to be quite flat, making them good for leisurely cyclists and families. We offer guided cycling holidays in the region for those looking to make the most of their holiday with an expert guide. There are well-marked routes along the Loire, Indre, Cher and Vienne rivers, through beautiful villages and past some of the region’s most notable attractions. Don’t miss the quirky troglodyte caves dotted through the valley, especially the system of caves where mushrooms are grown.
Want to find out more about how it all works when you get to Loire? Read our FAQs here. Alternatively, call our cycle experts to find out more about our Loire Valley cycling tours. Remember, our cycling holidays are ABTA and ATOL protected.
Insider tips:
- Stay at the sumptuous Château de Candes
- Admire the gardens at Château Villandry
- Canoe between Chinon and Montsoreau
- Discover Turquant’s troglodyte houses
- Taste the Chinon red & Saumur sparkling
Ruby Wax - Comedian
"Our cycling holiday was seamless from the get-go and thoroughly enjoyable – every detail thought through. We stayed in boutique hotels and enjoyed the leisurely cycling in the Loire, I highly recommend booking a trip this year."
George, Cycle Expert
Brimming with châteaux as far as the eye can see, the Loire Valley is famous for its aristocratic estates and rolling vineyards. Boasting outstanding wines and top-quality local cuisine, the Loire is a must-visit destination for your cycling holiday.
Châteaux of the Loire
Awarded UNESCO status for its staggering number of medieval châteaux, admire the poignant turrets, cupolas and enormous banquet halls. Cycle to the Renaissance Château de Chambord, which is the largest château in the valley.
Château de Villandry is known for its triple-terraced gardens that are open year round. On the banks of the Vienne river, Chinon Fortress was the meeting place of Dauphin Charles VII and Joan of Arc, before her battle to free the city of Orléans from the British.
Loire Valley cuisine
Salmon and pike perch are line-caught and perfectly accompanied by locally grown mushrooms, white asparagus and artichokes. Fruit bowls are overflowing with cherries, pears and strawberries, and both crisp, dry Sauvignon Blancs and sweet Chenin Blanc white wine is produced from small, home-run vines.
If you are in Chinon on Thursday morning, cycle to the farmers market to pick up picnic supplies of fresh fruit, vegetables and locally made cheeses, Crottin de Chavignol in particular.
-
Cycling in Loire
The Loire Valley Experience | Guided
Experience a classic Softies destination in a new way as part of our Guided experience. The route for this trip takes in all our favourite rides, towns, attractions, and hotels.
- A wealth of stunning castles and châteaux
- Towns bursting with history
- Delicious evening meals
Offer available
Book before 31st January and claim a £100 John Lewis voucher
From£2,335EaseDuration7 NightsAvailableMay, SeptemberEnquire Now view detailsTravelFlights and transfers available -
![Indulgence | The Loire in Luxury | Self Guided]()
![]()
Cycling Holidays in the Loire
Indulgence | The Loire in Luxury | Self Guided
Famed for its grand châteaux, leftover from its past as a preferred home for French royals and aristocrats, few other regions in the world exude the same sense of class as...
- Chateaux hotels
- Historic towns and chateaux
- Optional e-bikes
Offer available
Book before 31st January and claim a £100 John Lewis voucher
From£1,075ppEaseDuration3 or 6 NightsAvailableApril, May, June, July, August, September, OctoberEnquire Now view detailsTravelEco-friendly options available -
![E-Bike | Loire Valley Discovery | Self Guided]()
![]()
Cycling Holidays in the Loire
E-Bike | Loire Valley Discovery | Self Guided
Based on our classic Châteaux of the Loire itinerary, this new itinerary for 2020 harnesses the power of e-bikes to make it easier for you to see even more of this...
- E-Bike included
- Historic towns and Château
- New for 2020
Offer available
Book before 31st January and claim a £100 John Lewis voucher
From£1,035ppEaseDuration4 or 7 NightsAvailableApril, May, June, July, August, September, OctoberEnquire Now view detailsTravelEco-friendly options available -
![]()
Cycling Holidays in the Loire
Classic | Châteaux of the Loire | Self Guided
The magical region of Loire; world-famous for its marvellous châteaux, magnificent rivers, delicious wines and fabulous cycling holidays, of course!
- Chateaux hotels
- Easy cycling
- Historic towns and chateaux
- Hotels with pools
- Michelin-starred
- Optional e-bikes
Offer available
Book before 31st January and claim a £100 John Lewis voucher
From£875ppEaseDuration4, 5 or 7 NightsAvailableApril, May, June, July, August, SeptemberEnquire Now view detailsTravelEco-friendly options available -
![Single Centre | Chateau de Candes]()
Cycling Holidays in The Loire
Single Centre | Chateau de Candes
A fantastic single centre cycling holiday in the stylish and sumptuous apartments of the Chateau de Candes.
- Châteaux visits
- Wine tasting
- Canoeing
- Walking itineraries
- Cycle routes
- Self-catering
Offer available
Book before 31st January and claim a £100 John Lewis voucher
From£510ppEaseDuration3, 5 or 7 NightsAvailableApril, May, June, July, August, September, OctoberEnquire Now View DetailsTravelEco-friendly options available -
![Marine de Loire]()
Cycling Holidays in The Loire
Single Centre | Marine de Loire
The Hotel Marine de Loire is a boutique hotel set on the bank of the River Loire in the village of Montsoreau. Choose from one of the four lovely self catered apartments.
- The ancient abbey at Fontevraud, with its mix of historical and contemporary attractions.
- Sampling the produce of the regions different wine appellations in one of the many local caves.
- Paddling along the Vienne river between Chinon and Montsoreau in a canoe.
Offer available
Book before 31st January and claim a £100 John Lewis voucher
From£450ppEaseDuration3, 5 or 7 NightsAvailableApril, May, June, July, August, September, OctoberEnquire Now View DetailsTravelEco-friendly options available
From Our Blog
View all posts-
![Discover The Enchanting Loire Valley]()
-
![Loire Valley Cycling Routes]()
Loire Valley Cycling Routes
Posted: 12/11/21
The Loire Valley cycling routes have a mixture of delicious culinary experiences and stunning landscapes of the French countryside and Châte...
Read more -
![Most Beautiful Châteaux in the Loire]()
Most Beautiful Châteaux in the Loire
Posted: 01/11/19
Follow in the footsteps of Joan of Arc and Leonardo da Vinci on a fascinating cycling & châteaux holiday in the Loire Valley, a reg...
Read more
Britain's original ski travel agency and tailor-made ski tour operator, Ski Solutions has been arranging ski holidays for over 30 years across Europe and North America. The Ski Solutions team are all skiing experts, and their knowledge and passion for the mountains will ensure you experience a truly memorable ski holiday.
Visit website
The ultimate collection of European Cycling Holidays. BSpoke's cycling experts can tailor-make your perfect holiday where you can travel at your own pace or in a group of like-minded individuals. A BSpoke Tour is all about being as restful or as adventurous as you desire.
Visit website
Wilderness Scotland offers an inspiring range of guided and customised adventure holidays, in the most remote and beautiful regions of Scotland. The Wilderness Scotland team know how to create enriching adventure holidays and know the wild places of Scotland better than anyone.
Visit website
Specialists in offering a range of adventure holidays, tours and incredible wilderness experiences. Wilderness Ireland take their clients to the most remote and beautiful regions of Ireland, all while staying at the most welcoming accommodations and delivering outstanding customer service.
Visit website
Wilderness England creates incredible journeys into the wild and magical outdoor spaces across Yorkshire, the Lake District, Northumberland, the Cotswolds and the Peak District. Providing inspiring active experiences, immerse yourself in the unique landscapes, history, culture and wildlife on a Wilderness England adventure.
Visit website