Loire Family Bike Tour Itinerary

Day One: Château Cheverny and its Vineyards
Your guides will meet you at the Blois train station in late morning and whisk you off to Cheverny, where you will start your tour after a light lunch. Take a look around the chateau grounds and then we’ll lead you into your bike fitting and safety talk. Today we will be riding along the Loire River after a visit of the Château de Cheverny, also known as the model for Captain Haddock’s Marlinspike Hall in the Adventures of Tintin. The 16th century chateau, like many others in the region has been demolished and rebuilt on many occasions making its history quite unique. The current château is filled with original canvases, tapestries and period furniture that make the beautifully preserved chateau so delightful. Do not miss the pack of hunting dogs that are kept on the grounds and are taken out twice a week to keep their senses sharp. Return to the beautiful hotel hidden away in the woods above the Loire river by bike or get a lift in the van. Tonight, the hotel’s 2** Michelin starred chef will spoil you with the regional specialties!
 
Meals: Light lunch & Dinner
Destinations visited: Chaumont, Candé sur Beuvron, Cheverny, Cour Cheverny
Distance cycled: 29 kms / 18 miles

Day Two: Fantasy Forest and the Feel of France
Today’s adventure starts at the Chateau Chaumont sur Loire where our young friends will be guided through the magic of this chateau once inhabited by Catherine de Medicis and her personal astrologist.  Our local resident artist will then bring you into their studio in the chateau to participate in a hands-on art class utilizing the themes of the history of the chateau and the nature that surrounds it.  You’ll enjoy a lunch at one of the 3 restaurants available in the famous gardens before heading over to our next destination:  the Fantasy Forest!  You’ll have your pick of various activities (tyrolians, ropes course, orienteering race, mini-golf, spelunking challenge). Parents can join the children, get an extra ride in the countryside or opt to enjoy the relaxing services at the nearby Spa des Thomeaux. Ride back to the hotel in the van or continue pedaling alongside the Loire River.  Tonight we’ll be heading into town to have dinner at one of our favorite authentic restaurants.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Destinations visited: Chaumont sur Loire, the Fantasy Forest
Distance cycled: 21.7 km / 13.5 miles

Day Three: Amboise - Through Da Vinci’s Eyes
Enjoy the morning ride through a panorama of rich farmland and the towns Pocé-sur-Cisse and Limeray. We’ll arrive in Amboise and enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch with local wine and cheese on the grounds of the Manoir St. Thomas, your home away from home for the night. Afterwards your guides will bring you to the Clos Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci is said to have arrived holding the Mona Lisa in his hands and then spent the final years of his life. The museum that now sits inside this beautiful manor is home to replicas of Da Vinci’s famous war machines and a few of his mysterious sketches and letters. His inventions displayed outdoors are an interactive playground created by the genius himself.  You may then opt for a little shopping in this bustling town or spin off to a great local producer of white wines.  At the Domaine you will learn about the refined Montlouis – sur-Loire Appellation from Olivier, a fifth generation winemaker for the family-run operation. Return to Amboise through the vineyards. 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
Destinations visited: Onzain, Pocé-sur-Cisse, Limeray, Nazelles- Négron, Amboise
Distance cycled: 24 km / 15 miles

Day Four: The Enchanted Castle of Chenonceau 
After our scrumptious breakfast at the Manoir we’ll head off on the bike route for the Chateau de Chenonceau. Tour the graceful 15th century castle with its “dueling” gardens of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. Chenonceau is not only remarkable for its architecture and history, but also for the fine quality of its original Renaissance-period furniture, fine art collections and the vast ensemble of XVIth and XVIIth century tapestries. Children will enjoy the fun iPod tour designed especially for them. Be sure to dedicate some time for wandering the vast grounds and petting the donkeys at the XVI century farm near the flower and vegetable gardens. Don’t get lost in the hedge labyrinth or you’ll miss the half-hour river excursion on the Cher aboard the Castle’s own fleet of row-boats. Afterwards, enjoy a short ride to our next stop in Bléré, where we’ll savor a gourmet picnic by the Indre River before cycling to Montbazon for two nights at our next grand Chateau hotel.  We’ll make a stop at the Montbazon Keep to learn all about the notorious Black Falcon. Tonight we will enjoy a fun pizza dinner a short drive away in town unless you choose to explore the arial view of the surrounding chateaux by hot air balloon!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Destinations visited: Amboise, Chenonceaux, Cormery, Veigné & Montbazon
Distance cycled: 35 km / 21.75 miles 
 
Day Five: A Day in Tours
Another delicious breakfast rich with fresh fruit, yogurts, bread, pastries and cheeses will prepare us for an active day in the city of Tours. Today we will peruse the masterpieces at the Musée des Beaux Arts and visit the gothic cathedral.  Stroll around on your own to get your last minute shopping done and don’t forget to buy that wooden sword you’ve always dreamt about. Once you’ve had your fill of the city life we will shuttle you back to the hotel for a fencing demonstration where you can try out your brand new wooden sword.  You’ll then be quizzed on what you’ve learned by putting on your own demonstration!  We’ll make sure you get some pool time before our last dinner together. Our dinner will be a memorable gastronomic event.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Destinations visited: Montbazon, Tours 
 
Day Six: Tours – St. Pierre des Corps
After breakfast and perhaps a stroll through the castle’s grounds, say goodbye to the Loire Valley and the city of Tours however you see fit. We’ll see you off at the St Pierre Des Corps TGV train station where you head on to your next destination.

Meal: Breakfast
Total distance cycled: 113 km/ 71 miles
Accomplished: Total Satisfaction!