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Loire Valley Bike Tour

Road Cycling in France with DuVine Adventures

Highlights

  • 5 nights Luxury Accommodations: Domaine de la Tortinière, Le Manoir Saint Thomas, Château Chissay
  • Site visits: Château D’Amboise , Château de Chaumont, Clos Lucé, Château de Chenonceaux Chateau de Villandry
  • Meals: All breakfasts, two lunches and four gourmet dinners including wine
  • Wine tastings:  Monmousseaux. Plou & Fils winery
  • Biking: Passing Château, fields of sunflowers, medieval villages. Flat to rolling terrain rating, average 30 miles a day

Full Description

The Loire is the valley of dreams, and we invite you to join our bike tour as we cycle into a land of pure enchantment.

We'll spend our days bicycling through the level terrain of a provincial countryside, through medieval villages, and along meandering rivers. Along our Loire bike tour route, we will pause at lush, age-old vineyards to taste glorious vintages and explore the region's distinct subterranean troglodyte cellars. Of course, there's much more history to sample as we visit sprawling, immaculate castles that seem to have popped out of storybooks, and roam vibrant gardens manicured into works of art. This is the home of Château Chenonceau, whose fate was decided more by its women than by its men ... of an aging Leonardo da Vinci, who arrived at his final residence at Clos Lucé with a sample of Mona Lisa ... and of luxurious châteaux-hotels that will pamper you in royal luxury.

Includes:

  • All accommodations in deluxe châteaux, charming country inns, and wine estates
  • All breakfasts, two lunches, four gourmet dinners including wine
  • New 27-speed aluminum Giant bicycle, choice of five lightweight frame sizes, light weight helmet, gel seat, handlebar bag, rear carrier rack, lock, patch kit with spare tube, pump, lock,  bell and toe straps option
  • Bilingual guide(s) who look after your every little need
  • Support vehicle that sweeps the daily bike route offering refreshments and snacks, transporting your purchases, and offering transfers to the hotel
  • Highlighted regional maps with history on each sight and options to stop along the way.
  • All transportation from rendezvous to final drop-off
  • All gratuities for baggage, porters, and hotel service
  • Daily briefings. Your guides review each morning the best route-including which direction to take at the crossroads, where to turn for a flatter option and how to find that shortcut back to the hotel
  • DuVine Adventures t-shirt, water bottle and luggage tag
  • Detailed Final Documents including itinerary and hotel list
  • CD of your once in a lifetime trip
  • Exceptional customer service
  • Complimentary travel coordinator available to assist you with all of your pre- & post-trip travel plans and arrangements

Excludes:

  • Airfare to/from the departure point
  • Gratuities to local guides

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1

Chambord and the Royal Hunting Grounds-Your guides will greet you at the Blois train station and whisk you to the nearby Château Chambord, where your adventure begins. Here you will toast your welcome to the region with some of the region’s own sparkling wine and arouse your palate for a week of chocolate, wine, and cheese tastings. During your tour of the chateau and grounds you will voyage across centuries of French historical legends revealing battles, mistresses, culinary arts, and innovations both of architecture and artistry. Take your time to visit this masterfully built chateau (rumored to have been partly designed by Leonardo Da Vinci) and then join your guides to mount your steeds. During your bike fitting, safety talk and map review, your guides will get you up to speed for a week of gentle rolling rides through forests, vineyards and never-ending fields of grain. Tonight, the hotel’s 2** Michelin starred chef will spoil you with the regional specialties! Meal: Dinner. Destinations visited: Blois, Chambord, Mont-sur-Chambord, Onzain Distance cycled: 43 km/27 miles.

Day 2

Château Cheverny and its vineyards-After you have enjoyed your scrumptious breakfast buffet at the hotel your guides will get you excited for your ride with the day’s map review. Today you will be crossing over the Loire River to head over for a visit of the Château de Cheverny, also known as the model for Captain Haddock’s Marlinspike Hall in the Adventures of Tintin. Before the visit you will be spoiled with your guide’s culinary efforts with a gourmet picnic including all the region’s best: goat cheeses, rillettes, fois gras. The 16th century chateau, like many others in the region, has been demolished and rebuilt on many occasions making its history unclear at times. Nevertheless, 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. We will have a wine tasting of Cheverny’s and Cour-Cheverny’s very unique wines before leaving the area. Return to the hotel by bike or get a lift in the van and you will be delighted by tonight’s traditional fare. Meal: Breakfast/Gourmet Picnic/Dinner Destinations visited: Onzain, Chaumont, Candé sur Beuvron, Cheverny, Cour Cheverny. Distance cycled: 32 km/20 miles.

Day 3

Amboise Through Da Vinci’s Eyes-After cycling through a panorama of rich farmland and the towns Pocé-sur-Cisse and Limeray, we’ll stop for a tasting of the Touraine red and white wines. Here you will see how the whole operation is run underground in troglodyte cellars, which differentiates Loire from other regions in its winemaking practices. Continuing on, we’ll arrive in Amboise and enjoy an authentic lunch with local wine and cheese. 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. You may then opt do a loop ride out through the vineyards of St Martin or visit the Chateau d’Amboise, once the primary home of the French royalty. The current structure is only one-fifth of the "palace" constructed by Charles VIII. 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/Gourmet Lunch. Destinations visited: Onzain, Pocé-sur-Cisse, Limeray, Nazelles-Négron, Amboise Distance cycled: 24 km/15 miles.

Day 4

Amboise to Chenonceau and Montbazon. After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll cycle to Château de Chenonceau and 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 period furniture and fine art collections. On our visit, we’ll see Renaissance furniture, and a vast ensemble of XVIth and XVIIth century tapestries and other great masterpieces. Afterwards, enjoy a lovely ride through rich farmland to our next stop in Bléré, where we’ll savor a gourmet picnic by the Indre River. Cycling on, we’ll reach the gorgeous town of Montbazon. The rectangular Donjon of Montbazon (mid 11th century) is one of the oldest strongholds in France. It was built by Fulk Nerra, Count of Anjou to protect his territory. After a gentle climb into the woods you will be pleasantly surprised by the extravagant Chateau d’Artigny. Dinner tonight is in one of DuVine’s favorite restaurants, la Chanceliere–a fine gourmet experience. Meals: Breakfast/Dinner. Destinations visited: Amboise, Chenonceaux, Cormery, Veigné & Montbazon. Distance cycled: 54 km/33 miles.

Day 5

Château de Villandry-Another delicious breakfast rich with fresh fruit, yogurts, bread, pastries, and cheeses will prepare us for the lovely ride alongside the Cher River on a peaceful bike path. The Chateau de Villandry was completed around 1536 and was the last of the large chateaus built in the Loire Valley during the Renaissance. It has 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 fresh and tasty lunch at the château gates before we cycle back to Montbazon to 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 chef as we dine amidst stunning valley views. Meals: Breakfast/Dinner. Destinations visited: Montbazon, Savonnieres, Château de Villandry. Distance cycled: 48.5 km/30 miles.

Day 6

Montbazon/Tours-After 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 St. Pierre Des Corps TGV train station where you head on to your next destination. Meal: Breakfast. TRIP TOTAL: 201 KM/126 MILES, averaging 45 km/28 miles per day. Optional longer rides each day.

About The Operator:

DuVine Adventures

Headquarters:

Somerville, MA

Each season over 25% of our guests are repeat DuVine Travelers. It is an honor to be selected as the bike tour operator of choice by seasoned and experienced travelers like you. Everything we do-from selecting the most beautiful destinations, to providing the high level of hospitality you crave-results in a truly outstanding travel experience. With DuVine you'll bike though beautiful landscapes at your own pace, indulge in gourmet regional cuisine, sample world-class wines, and rest in charming luxury hotels. Bike, eat, drink and sleep, while our guides handle every detail, so all you have to do is enjoy your vacation DuVine style.

Exceeding Expectations

At DuVine, we have a keen eye for detail. But we aren't the type of people to settle for basics. Our guests are special, and we pride ourselves on pampering our travelers each and every day. Over the years, DuVine Adventures has forged relationships with local innkeepers and restaurateurs in the regions we travel. Our friends, the vintners, chocolate makers, and colorful locals, love to share their stories and knowledge with DuVine travelers.

Experienced and Friendly Guides

We are particularly proud of our guides whose outstanding knowledge and efforts allow us to provide first-rate adventures. Your two dedicated DuVine guides will tirelessly work to make sure your experience is nothing short of exceptional.

Our guides are seasoned travelers who are fluent in the local language and customs and experts in wine, cuisine, art, and history. If you need help reading your menu, simply ask your guide. Want to know the best place to get gifts for family back home? Our guides can advise.

Our DuVine guides will anticipate your every need on and off the bike. They will
clean your bike, offer you a fresh towel or give you cool water before you even realize you're thirsty. Don't be surprised if you see one of your guides zipping off to orchestrate a gourmet picnic in the vineyard.

Our guides are passionate about creating whimsical memories. They love to see you smile and will ensure that you are totally satisfied! Their goal is to deliver the vacation of a lifetime, which is always DuVine!

Van Support

All guided tours are fully supported by a van that sweeps the day's route. As you bike along, our support vehicle is never far off to collect your purchases, distribute refreshments or offer a ride back to the hotel.

Bikes Included

Get ready to roll as DuVine includes bikes on all of its trips. We supply top-of-the-line hybrid bicycles with just the right combination of features. Our unique handlebar bag is the perfect size to hold a sweater, wallet, camera, and other personal items. Our bikes come in five sizes for a superior fit and ultimate riding confidence and comfort. All have light aluminum frames, a wide gear range with easy shifting, and comfortable saddles for effortless riding. If you prefer your own trusty steed, feel free to bring it along.

Wine Included with Dinner

DuVine Adventures is proud of the itinerary upgrades we make each season, which are always based upon the feedback of our guests. We include savory local wines with all dinners to provide maximum enjoyment at each meal.