France: The Loire
Cycling The UNESCO Loire Valley
Average customer rating 5.0 / 5(6 verified reviews)
- Self-Guided Cycling
- 5 nights hotel-to-hotel
- Leisurely
- CO₂ rating 1/5
- Agent supplied app
Trip highlights
Trip details
Follow the famous ‘Loire a Velo’ cycling path and admire in all its glory the last wild European river: ‘La Loire’. This path, made up of 800km of marked and secured tracks, is a unique route perfect for bike lovers to enjoy while exploring the scenic Loire Valley.
What's included
Included
- 5 nights in 3-star and 4-star accommodation
- All breakfasts
- Bike fitting and briefing at the start of your holiday
- Navigation app
- Bike hire included
- Luggage transfers between hotels
Not included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
Hand-picked for the route, hire included
Scott, Sub Sport 20 or equivalent. Your bike hire is included in the price of your holiday and comes equipped with the relevant essentials, plus rear pannier, phone holder and handlebar bag.
Travel options
Our travel specialists can arrange flights, rail and transfers to this holiday from wherever you are. Call us to plan your journey. +44 1606 720099
Itinerary
Day 1 · —Arrival in Tours
Enjoy the old and vibrant quarters of Tours city and especially the ‘Place Plumereau’, a beautiful square with half-timbered houses.
You stay at Artist Hotel
Artist Hotel
Tours
- Air conditioning
- American Express
- Hairdryers
- Mastercard
- Safe
- Shops
- Television
- Visa cards
- Wifi access
The contemporary design of the hotel, with many references to the 7th Art, exudes a cosy and relaxing atmosphere. An artistic way of life, but with all the comfort, perfect to enjoy a relaxing city break: queen size beds, air conditioning, fitness room and a lounge bar.
Each morning, a delicious breakfast buffet is served from 6.30 am to better meet the expectations of our business clientele or early bird.
Day 2 · 41km/25.5miTours to Azay le Rideau
Cycle to Villandry with its famous Gardens, matchless in Europe and composed of 3 superposed terraces.
Perhaps the Loire Valley’s most famous gardens, those at Villandry are enchanting. The symmetry of the beds, trimmed with absolute precision, and the harmony of the floral arrangements… from one terrace to the next, these green expanses are a symbol of perfect beauty. In one spot a labyrinth to get lost in, in another a kitchen garden checkered like an embroidery. The water gardens catch the sunlight and prompt dreams of long summer evenings, while the ‘Jardin des Simples’ captures the important properties of aromatic and medicinal plants.
Then continue to Sache, where you can visit the house of the famous novelist Honore de Balzac. Arrive in Azay le Rideau where you can admire its Renaissance chateau. Standing on an island in the middle of the Indre River, the Chateau of Azay-le-Rideau, is one of the finest.
You stay at Hotel Biencourt
Hotel Biencourt
Azay le Rideau
- Air conditioning
- Hairdryers
- Mastercard
- Safe
- Television
- Visa cards
- Wifi access
This hotel is divided into 2 buildings from the 18th-century, a former school, from Napoleon III period.
Each room has modern décor and views of the city or of the flowered patio. They are equipped with free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. The property offers organic bed linen which comes from the fair-trade market.
A buffet breakfast is served daily in the dining room or on the terrace and it is made with the products coming from the local producers. Many restaurants are situated nearby.
Day 3 · 35km/21.7miAzay le Rideau to Chinon
Discover other marvels, such as the ‘Sleeping Beauty’ chateau in Usse which has inspired Perrault for its famous fairy tale story. Once upon a time, a chateau surrounded by pretty woodland, and Prince Charming (who else) arriving on his white steed.
Continue to the mediaeval town of Chinon dominated by its castle and famous for its red wine. To combine pleasure for the eyes and the palate, take a break in the vineyards or in a cellar for a tasting.
You stay at Hotel Diderot
Hotel Diderot
Chinon
- American Express
- Mastercard
- Safe
- Television
- Visa cards
- Wifi access
This hotel from the 17th Century offers a calm elegance in the charming city of Chinon. The Hôtel Diderot, with its courtyard garden and white limestone walls, is a 12-minute walk from Chinon Royal Fortress.
Guest rooms are all individually decorated and have private en suite bathrooms with a bath or shower and a toilet.
A French breakfast is served next to the 15th-century fireplace in the breakfast room, or it is served on the terrace during the summer.
Day 4 · 36km/22.4mi or 48km/29.8miChinon to Saumur
Follow the ‘Loire a Velo’ routes which will lead you to the village of Candes-Saint-Martin. You have a superb view of the confluence of the Loire and the Vienne rivers. Several viewpoints are worth the detour.
Continue to the beautiful village of Montsoreau along troglodyte sites and vineyards before reaching lovely town of Saumur.
You have the opportunity to reach Fontevraud abbey, Europe’s largest remaining monastic complex which is also the Necropolis of the Plantagenet kings!
You stay at Hotel Le Londres
Hotel Le Londres
Saumur
- Air conditioning
- American Express
- Hairdryers
- Mastercard
- Shops
- Television
- Visa cards
- Wifi access
The Hôtel Le Londres, Saumur is located in the heart of the historic town of Saumur. This 19th-century building offers stylish individually decorated and furnished rooms with floor to ceiling windows.
Each soundproofed room has facilities such as a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and a private bathroom.
A buffet breakfast is offer daily in the breakfast lounge. Home-made cakes are cooked for guests on weekends and tea is available all day, every day.
Day 5 · 57km/35.4miSaumur to Angers
First follow the Loire River before going through the vineyards of Anjou. You will reach the peaceful city of Angers and its chateau which shelters the famous Apocalypse Tapestry.
You stay at Hotel de France
Hotel de France
Angers
- Air conditioning
- American Express
- Hairdryers
- Mastercard
- Minibar
- Safe
- Shops
- Television
- Visa cards
- Wifi access
Hôtel De France is located opposite Angers-St Laud TGV Train Station, close to the city centre and the medieval Château d’Angers. Rooms are beautifully furnished and equipped with modern facilities.
You can enjoy a hot buffet breakfast at the Hôtel De France in the dining area or have breakfast served in your room from 07:00 to 11:00.
The friendly and attentive staff at the Hôtel De France will be happy to help you plan your stay in Angers 24-hours a day.
Day 6 · —Leave Angers
Extending your holiday
Artist Hotel
Tours
- Air conditioning
- American Express
- Hairdryers
- Mastercard
- Safe
- Shops
- Television
- Visa cards
- Wifi access
The contemporary design of the hotel, with many references to the 7th Art, exudes a cosy and relaxing atmosphere. An artistic way of life, but with all the comfort, perfect to enjoy a relaxing city break: queen size beds, air conditioning, fitness room and a lounge bar.
Each morning, a delicious breakfast buffet is served from 6.30 am to better meet the expectations of our business clientele or early bird.
Hotel de France
Angers
- Air conditioning
- American Express
- Hairdryers
- Mastercard
- Minibar
- Safe
- Shops
- Television
- Visa cards
- Wifi access
Hôtel De France is located opposite Angers-St Laud TGV Train Station, close to the city centre and the medieval Château d’Angers. Rooms are beautifully furnished and equipped with modern facilities.
You can enjoy a hot buffet breakfast at the Hôtel De France in the dining area or have breakfast served in your room from 07:00 to 11:00.
The friendly and attentive staff at the Hôtel De France will be happy to help you plan your stay in Angers 24-hours a day.
What our travellers say
Positive impact
Carbon score for this trip
9.0
Kg CO₂e
per person, per night
Relative to other Headwater trips
We measure emissions from the parts of the holiday we organise — including accommodation, in-trip transport, meals and activities — and express them as CO₂e per person, per night. Our label doesn’t include your travel to and from the start of the trip. As a Certified B Corp, Headwater is committed to reducing this figure and to positively impacting local communities, the local environment and our staff. Learn more