Cycle like a Softie, sleep like a king
Posted: 02/06/17
There’s nothing quite like it: after a day’s cycling (and positively exhausting wine and food sampling), sinking into a luxurious bed ...
Read moreLoire Valley Cycling
Our favourite Loire Valley cycle routes
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 grape vines. 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.
Cycling holidays in the Loire Valley tend to be quite flat, making it good for leisurely cyclists and families. 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.
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 and was constructed as a hunting lodge for King Frances I.
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.
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![Indulgence | The Loire in Luxury | Self Guided]()
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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
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]()
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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
From£1,035ppEaseDuration4 or 7 NightsAvailableApril, May, June, July, August, September, OctoberEnquire Now view detailsTravelEco-friendly options available -
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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
From£875ppEaseDuration4, 5 or 7 NightsAvailableApril, May, June, July, August, SeptemberEnquire Now view detailsTravelEco-friendly options available -
![Single Centre | Chateau de Candes | Self-Guided]()
Cycling Holidays in The Loire
Single Centre | Chateau de Candes
A fantastic single centre holiday in the stylish and sumptuous apartments of the Chateau de Candes. Based in Candes-St-Martin, one of the 'plus beaux villages de France’,...
- Châteaux visits
- Wine tasting
- Canoeing
- Walking itineraries
- Cycle routes
- Self-catering
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.
From£450ppEaseDuration3, 5 or 7 NightsAvailableApril, May, June, July, August, September, OctoberEnquire Now View DetailsTravelEco-friendly options available
From our blog
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Top three castles in the Loire
Posted: 13/10/17
There are many reasons to head to the Loire Valley other than its world-famous vineyards. In between sipping wine and taking in the stunning views...
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![Tour the Loire with cycle expert Harvey Downard]()
Tour the Loire with cycle expert Harvey Downard
Posted: 07/04/17
Summer is a great time to break out the cycle, and there's a bounty of sun soaked landscapes to explore in neighbouring Europe. We sent intrep...
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