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Loire Valley Cycling Tours

Our favourite Loire Valley cycling trips

Our Loire Valley cycling trips are favourites amongst our clients. 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 the biggest producer of white wine in France, 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. 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. 

Call our cycle experts to find out more about our self guided Loire Valley bike tours. Remember, our cycling holidays are ABTA and ATOL protected.

Read more about our Loire Valley cycling routes here

Our Highlights:

  • Staying at the sumptuous Château de Candes
  • The gardens at Château Villandry
  • Canoeing between Chinon and Montsoreau
  • The Turquant’s troglodyte houses
  • Tasting the Chinon red & Saumur sparkling

Paris Add-On:

  • Two nights at a charming boutique hotel
  • Gastronomic dinner
  • Entry to the Louvre
  • A guided food tour of the Latin Quarter
  • View our Paris add-on here

Our holidays reviewed by you

Comedian - Expert Quote Image

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."

Châteaux of the Loire

Awarded UNESCO status for its staggering number of medieval châteaux, admire the poignant turrets, cupolas and enormous banquet halls on our Loire Valley cycling tours. 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.

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Food & Wine

You'll enjoy some of the finest cuisine on our Loire Valley cycling trips. 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. Crisp, dry Sauvignon Blanc and sweet Chenin Blanc white wine is produced from small, home-run vines. If you are in Chinon on a Thursday morning, cycle to the farmers market to pick up picnic supplies of fresh fruit, vegetables and delicious locally made cheeses.

  • 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 fit for royalty
    • Historic towns and chateaux views
    • Optional e-bikes for added leisure
    From
    £1,325pp
    Ease
    Duration
    4 or 7 Nights
    Available
    April, May, June, July, August, September, October
    Travel
    Eco-friendly options available
    Carbon Footprint
    view details
  • Cycling Holidays in the Loire

    E-Bike | Loire Valley Discovery | Self Guided

    Based on our classic Châteaux of the Loire itinerary, this tour harnesses the power of e-bikes to make it easier for you to see even more of this beautiful corner of...

    • E-Bike included for a leisurely adventure
    • Historic towns and Château
    • New for 2020Historical sights hidden amongst vineyards
    From
    £1,195pp
    Ease
    Duration
    4 or 7 Nights
    Available
    April, May, June, July, August, September, October
    Travel
    Eco-friendly options available
    Carbon Footprint
    view details
  • 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
    £1,015pp
    Ease
    Duration
    4 or 7 Nights
    Available
    April, May, June, July, August, September
    Travel
    Eco-friendly options available
    Carbon Footprint
    view details
  • 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
    From
    £610pp
    Ease
    Duration
    3, 5 or 7 Nights
    Available
    April, May, June, July, August, September, October
    Travel
    Eco-friendly options available
    Carbon Footprint
    View Details
  • 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
    £550pp
    Ease
    Duration
    3, 5 or 7 Nights
    Available
    April, May, June, July, August, September, October
    Travel
    Eco-friendly options available
    Carbon Footprint
    View Details

FAQs About Our Loire Valley Bike Tours

The Loire Valley has 500 miles of bike paths, which are relatively flat and easy to cycle along. Cycling for Softies has both guided and self guided cycling tours available.

The Cycling for Softies tours to the Loire run from April to October. We decide to run during this time of year because of the good weather conditions. In addition, landmarks, shops and accommodation are open during this time.

Our expert team will make your Loire Valley cycling holiday as smooth as possible from start to finish. When you book a flight-inclusive package we will provide you with all the latest travel information you need. We are also ABTA & ATOL bonded so you can book with confidence.

Our guided and self guided cycling tours in the Loire Valley are curated for easy cycling which makes it very inclusive for any level of cyclist joining the trip. The terrain isn’t tricky and the distances are very manageable. There are plenty of stops too.

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