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BICYCLE FRANCE |
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Loire Valley: The Gardens of FranceDay One: Amboise LoopYour guides will greet you at the Amboise train station and whisk you to the nearby Manoir St. Thomás, where your adventure begins. During your bike fitting, safety talk and map review, toast your welcome with some of the region’s gorgeous sparkling wine, and arouse your palate for the week ahead of chocolate, wine, and cheese tastings. Our first spin will be a leisurely loop through the scenic farmlands of Chargé, Souvigny-de-Touraine, and St. Régle to our first destination: the Château D’Amboise. Once the primary home of the French royalty, their presence in this charming medieval town is now discreet, and the grand château is open for all to see. Pedal back to lounge by the pool before we indulge in an extravagant dinner in town tonight. Meal: Dinner
Loire Bike Tour Photo: Day 1 ride through vineyards of to Chateau Amboise Day Two: Château de ChaumontAfter cycling through a panorama of rich farmland and the towns Pocé-sur-Cisse and Limeray, we’ll arrive in Onzain. We’ll enjoy an authentic lunch with local wine and cheese, and then take in some of the finest views of the Loire River from high above – in the magnificent garden of the Château de Chaumont, a fortified castle. We’ll then bike back through Mosnes and Chargé, and visit the Plou & Fils winery before returning to the château where you’ll have the choice of lounging by the pool or strolling into town before dinner. Tonight is yours to explore the enchanting streets of Amboise and choose from one of the many fine-dining options all within a short walk. Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch
Loire Bike Tour Photo: Day 2 lovely ride to Chateau Chaumont then a picnic Day Three: Amboise - ChissayAfter a leisurely breakfast, we’ll cycle to the spot where Leonardo da Vinci is said to have arrived holding the Mona Lisa in his hands and spent the final years of his life - Clos Lucé. Next, we’ll spin through stretches of provincial countryside, through several villages: St. Régle, Souvigny-de-Touraine, Valliéres-les-Grandes, Montrichard and Chissay-en-Touraine. We’ll stop to browse at an authentic French brocante then lunch at a café on Montrichard’s tree-lined square. Get lost in Monmousseaux’s 12km troglodyte cellar tunnels where you’ll see the process of making crémant and, of course, taste it! Tonight, at our spectacular château in Chissay, the award-winning resident chef will prepare for us a magnificent dinner. Meals: Breakfast/ Dinner
Loire Bike Tour Photo: Day 3 ride to Chateau Chissay via Montrichard Day Four: Chissay - MontbazonSpend the morning touring the graceful Château de Chenonceaux. The “dueling” gardens of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici showcase French gardening at its finest. Enjoy a lovely ride through rich farmland to our destination of Cormery, where we’ll savor a gourmet picnic by the Indre River. Cycling on, we’ll reach the Domaine de la Tortiniére in Montbazon. This former residence of eccentric cosmetics-magnate Francis Coty will be our home tonight. Tortiniére is a Second Empire gem, set amid 30 acres of beautiful lawns and old trees. The magnificent view of the valley from the orangerie has been enjoyed by such greats as Georges Pompidou, Valery Giscard d’Estaing and Audrey Hepburn. A finely prepared dinner in town is in store for you this evening. Meals: Breakfast/ Gourmet Picnic/ Dinner
Loire Bike Tour Photo: Day 4 ride from Chenonceaux to Montbazon Day Five: Château de VillandryAnother delicious breakfast will prepare us for the lovely bike ride to the 16th century Château de Villandry. The palace’s gardens are an extraordinary showcase of Renaissance-style mazes, an elegant water garden, and the source for perfect French recipes: potager and herb gardens. Indulge in a relaxing lunch in town before we cycle back to Montbazon, then spend the afternoon in complete relaxation by the pool before we meet for drinks. Our final dinner will be prepared by the château’s well-regarded resident chef, and we will dine amidst the most stunning valley views. Meals: Breakfast/ Dinner
Loire Bike Tour Photo: Day 5 ride to the gardens of Chateau de Villandry Day Six: Montbazon - ToursAfter breakfast and perhaps a stroll through the castle’s grounds, say goodbye to the Loire Valley however you see fit. We’ll see you off at the TGV train station in Tours where you head on to your next destination. Meal: Breakfast TRIP TOTAL: 208.3 KM/ 129.1 MILES, averaging 45 km/ 28 miles per day. Optional longer rides available each day.
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