Loire Valley Bike Tour

Your guides will greet you at the Saint-Pierre-des-Corps train station for a transfer to nearby Château Villandry. Our first order of business is a light lunch (and a celebratory glass of local sparkling wine) at the château: erected around 1536, it’s the last of the Loire Valley’s large Renaissance castles. Wander its extraordinary mazes and elegant water garden, stroll the aromatic herb gardens, and finish your visit with an ice cream tasting inspired by the garden’s unique flavors. Then, we begin a warmup ride along the Loire and Cher Rivers. Pause in the town of Azay-le-Rideau to visit another iconic château built on an island of the Indre River, then continue pedaling through the countryside to our first luxurious woodlands hotel. Tonight, the château’s own chef prepares our first lovely dinner.

Meals: Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Tours, Château de Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau, Artannes-sur-Indre, Veigné
Accomplished: 22 miles / 37 km, elevation gain: 958 feet / 292 meters
Accommodations:  Domaine de la Tortinière

Start the day with a gently rolling ride along the Cher River and past the wheat and barley fields that earned this region its nickname as the breadbasket of France. After lunch near Château de Chenonceau, we’ll tour the expansive grounds and dueling gardens designed by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. There’s much to inspire the senses: Chenonceau is home to an unmatched collection of Renaissance furniture, 16th- and 17th-century tapestries, and priceless artwork. After our visit, hop back on the bike and head towards our next accommodation just outside of Amboise. Spend the afternoon settling in before we dine together in the center of Amboise this evening.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Cormery, Bléré, Chenonceaux, Amboise
Accomplished: 36 miles / 59 km, elevation gain: 1,296 feet / 395 meters
Accommodations: Le Manor Saint Thomas or Château de Pray

Today we set out from a sea of Chenin Blanc vineyards in the Vouvray appellation and continue cycling until we reach Montlouis-sur-Loire for a coffee break by the Loire river. A few gentle rolling hills stand between us and lunch at our friend Louisa’s winery: a passionate winemaker herself, Louisa has paired our meal with some of her favorite Château de Montdomaine wines. After we return to our hotel, it’s time for one more tasting in Amboise. Take a journey through 500 years of Loire Valley winemaking in cellars dating back to 1463, enjoying Vouvray whites just as kings once did. The evening is yours to spend as you wish: return to the riverside town of Amboise to explore its charming medieval streets and choose your preferred restaurant for dinner on your own.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations: Montlouis-sur-Loire, Vouvray, Chançay,Amboise
Accomplished: 27 miles / 44 km, elevation gain: 761 feet / 232 meters
Longer Option: 33 miles / 54 km, elevation gain: 1,158 feet / 353 meters
Accommodations: Le Manor Saint Thomas or Château de Pray

Start the morning with an illuminating visit to Le Clos Lucé, the one-time home of Leonardo da Vinci; it is rumored that the artist arrived holding the Mona Lisa and spent the final years of his life at this whimsical estate. After, hop in the saddle and ride quaint village roads to La Grange, where we tie on our aprons and learn to prepare a beautiful zero-waste meal with herbs and vegetables from the garden. Back on our bikes after lunch, we’ll cycle through the town of Chaumont-sur-Loire, enjoying a pastoral panorama en route to our final hotel. Regroup this evening to savor regional cuisine at a local auberge.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Saint-Règle, Vallières-les-Grandes, Chaumont-sur-Loire, Cheverny
Accomplished: 32 miles / 52 km, elevation gain: 1,102 feet / 336 meters
Accommodations: Les Sources de Cheverny or Les Hauts de Loire

After breakfast, pedal scenic roads all the way to the Château Chambord—a grand castle built in the 16th century that once served as a hunting lodge for Francois I. The brainchild of Leonardo da Vinci and a prime example of French Renaissance architecture, this château is now protected as a UNESCO-listed monument. Climb the famous double-helix staircase or stroll the manicured gardens before continuing to our next sweet spot: a local chocolate boutique where we’ll learn to make (and of course taste) candy confections. Leave room for a fresh picnic prepared by your guides before a final short spin to our luxurious hotel. Spend the afternoon at the spa or relax by the pool before we gather for a final and unforgettable Michelin-starred dinner at our hotel. Bon appétit!

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Cheverny, Chambord, Bracieux
Accomplished: 32 miles / 52 km, elevation gain: 1,210 feet / 369 meters
Accommodations: Les Sources de Cheverny or Les Hauts de Loire

Enjoy a peaceful breakfast at the château and perhaps a stroll through the grounds, saying goodbye to the Loire Valley however you see fit. Your guides see you off at the Blois train station.

Meals: Breakfast