Published by Lyn on 30 October 2018
Browse our listings to find a guided or self-guided cycling tour of the Loire Valley.
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Loire cycling holidays
Along the Loire from Tours to Angers
Charming B&Bs, fairytale castles, delicious Loire wines to share
Offered by:
Le Vélo Voyageur
Phone number:
+33 (0)1 80 91 98 18
Tour length:
4 days
Price:
From €385
Discover the beauty of the Loire Valley by biking from Tours to Angers. The itinerary follows the Loire river to meet prestigious castles such as Villandry, Langeais, Ussé (the castle of Sleeping Beauty) and the fortress at Angers with its wonderfully preserved medieval tapestry. Discover the changing colours of the Loire, its the traditional boats (toues) bobbing between sandbanks, the vineyards of Saumur, and the Abbey of Fontevraud. Discover the region's cave houses, or simply be carried away by the magic of one of France's most captivating regions.
Atlantic Coast La Vélodyssée from Nantes to La Rochelle
Ride along the Atlantic coast on the EuroVelo 1 bike route
Offered by:
Abicyclette Voyages
Phone number:
+33 (0)2 30 96 49 54
Tour length:
9 days / 8 nights
Price:
From €1120
On this self-guided tour, you'll enjoy the Atlantic section on the La Vélodyssée with its endless sandy beaches to explore. Hop off the bike to take a dip, top up the tan lines or enjoy the pine forests whenever the fancy takes you. Discover the marshlands of Vendée and spend time in colourful ports. Dine in the evenings with a fresh local seafood platter. La Vélodyssée is nearly all flat and signposted, mostly on secured dedicated greenways – it's a perfect introduction to cycling in France. The price of this tour includes 24/7 phone assistance, GPS guided itinerary, luggage transfers, bike rental and accommodation with a number of different options to cater for all budgets.
Blois to Tours – The Valley of the Kings
A ride rich in history and beauty along the Loire
Offered by:
Abicyclette Voyages
Phone number:
+33 (0)2 30 96 49 54
Tour length:
7 days / 6 nights
Price:
From €640
It is not by chance that this region was once called the 'Garden of France'. Let yourself be guided through the parks and castles in this flat, cool and green country. From castle to castle, Blois, Amboise, Chambord, Cheverny, Chenonceaux andn others offer many opportunities to enter the most beautiful residences of French royalty. In the footsteps of François I, Joan of Arc or Leonardo da Vinci, this is much more than a bike trip, it’s a journey back in time. Stages that take you to the heart of the great cities of the valley allow you to understand part of the history of France. This is a trip to the land of kings, queens and artists who made history. The price of this self-guided tour includes 24/7 phone assistance, GPS guided itinerary, luggage transfers, bike rental and accommodation with a number of different options to cater for all budgets
Chateau de Candes Single Centre Loire Cycling
A self-guided cycling break from the fixed base in the Loire
Offered by:
Cycling for Softies
Phone number:
+44 (0)20 7471 7760
Tour length:
3 to 7 nights
Price:
From £610
This single-centre holiday in the Loire Valley is based around the cobbles village of Candes-St-Martin, classified as one of France's most beautiful villages so you can also expect all original stone buildings. Candes-St-Martin sits on the point of confluence of the Loire and Vienne rivers and has a charming cobbled village square, complete with 12th-century church and an excellent local restaurant. A short walk along the river is Montsoreau, an old river port, and its château, the setting of a famous Dumas novel, is the only one in the Loire Valley built into the riverbed itself. This self-guided holiday includes five cycle routes, with maps and route notes, as well as three walking itineraries (there are also other local activities you can add). The price includes self-catering accommodation in stylish, fully-equipped apartments in Chateau de Candes, bikes, pannier bags, water bottles and repair kits for the duration of your stay, support from a local representative and a welcome pack upon arrival which includes two bottles of local wine as a nice extra touch.
Chateaux of the Loire: Castles, Caves & Vineyards
Experience the romance of the Loire Valley
Famed for its magnificent châteaux and wide, lazily flowing rivers, the Loire region is a delight. West of Tours, the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Park is characterised by vineyards, rolling farmland, hunting forests and limestone cliffs into which astonishing troglodytic dwellings have been carved. Crowning these beautiful landscapes are some of the Loire's most romantic and elegant châteaux: Azay-le-Rideau, Ussé, Chinon, Villandry and Saumur. With short, easy routes that are largely on the flat, you have plenty of time to visit all of these during your holiday, along with vineyards and mushroom caves (pay locally in all cases). Ebikes are also available.
Cycle the Atlantic from Nantes to La Rochelle
Enjoy the beaches that hug the Velodyssey Eurovelo 1 bike route
Offered by:
Le Vélo Voyageur
Phone number:
+33 (0)1 80 91 98 18
Tour length:
8 days
Price:
From €1159
With this self-guided trip along the Velodyssey cycle route you will experience the wide variety of landscapes that the Atlantic coast has to offer – from sandy beaches and rocky coastlines to marshland and pine forests, charming villages and trendy seaside resorts. The initial part of the itinerary to Pornic feels like Brittany because of the historic heritage and the architecture. Further into the Vendee country is a different story. The land is more open, with agricultural polders, oyster farming land and forests. For the most part, the cycle path is close to the coast, offering the best views of the ocean. Stay each night in one of the welcoming seaside towns scattered along the Vendee coast and end your bike trip in La Rochelle and its old harbour. The price of this tour includes bikes, GPS routes, maps and tourist leaflets, accommodation and panniers. Ebikes and luggage transfers are available as added extras.
Cycle the Velo Francette from Saumur to La Rochelle
Ride one of France's most diverse routes – the fabulous Velo Francette
Offered by:
Le Velo Voyageur
Phone number:
+33 (0)1 80 91 98 18
Tour length:
8 days
Price:
From €1045
The full Velo Francette links La Rochelle on the Atlantic Coast to Caen in Normandy. The section featured on this self-guided tour is one of the route's most varied – between Saumur in the Loire and the coast at La Rochelle. It's a mosaic of landscapes. Start among the castles of the Loire and ride along small backroads following the Thouet river, stopping in beautiful Parthenay, with its medieval atmosphere, then in Niort, with its ancient dungeon and cathedral. Explore the glorious nature among the softness of the Poitevin marshes, making time for a stop in Coulon, its canals and waterways weaving through the landscape. After a detour to Fontenay-le-Comte and the majestic Maillezais abbey, finish your trip in La Rochelle, the gateway to the Atlantic. The price of this self-guided tour includes bike hire, panniers, luggage transfers, detailed route information and accommodation. Electric bikes are also available on this route.
E-bike - Loire Valley Discovery
A tour designed so that anyone can enjoy the beautiful Loire Valley
Offered by:
Cycling for Softies
Phone number:
+44 (0)20 3944 3218
Tour length:
4 or 7 nights
Price:
From £1185
This self-guided tour harnesses the power of e-bikes to make it easier for you to see even more of this beautiful part of France. Saddle up on e-bikes and relax as you ride along the rivers, past the châteaux and through the vineyards of the Loire valley. This is the perfect tour for history buffs, wine lovers and foodies who want to squeeze as many interesting experiences as possible into their holiday. The price of this tour includes delightful 3-star and 4-star hotels on a B&B basis with 4 evening meals (7-night itinerary), fully serviced e-bikes with panniers, water bottle and repair kit, detailed route information through the Ride With GPS app, expert on-the-spot support, luggage transferred between your hotels and 100% financial security through ABTA and ATOL.
Grand Tour of the Loire by E-bike
Get a little boost as you breeze around the beautiful Loire Valley
Offered by:
BSpoke Cycling Tours
Phone number:
+44 (0)20 3883 6437
Tour length:
4 or 7 nights
Price:
From £865
This itinerary – based on BSpoke's classic Châteaux and Vineyards itinerary – harnesses the power of e-bikes to make it easier for you to see even more of this beautiful corner of France. Saddle up on excellent Trek e-bikes and relax as you ride along the rivers, past the châteaux and through the vineyards of the Loire valley. This is the perfect tour for history buffs, wine lovers and foodies who want to squeeze as many interesting experiences as possible into their holiday. The price of this tour includes delightful 3-star and 4-star hotels, B&B accommodation, fully serviced e-bikes with panniers, a water bottle and repair kit, detailed route information through the Ride with GPS app, expert on-the-spot support, daily luggage transfers and 100 per cent financial security through ABTA and ATOL.
Grand Tour of the Loire Chateaux
From chateau to chateau along the Loire River from Tours to Angers
Offered by:
France Bike Trips
Phone number:
+33 (0)4 58 14 04 35
Tour length:
7 days
Price:
From €785
This is a charming self-guided route in the heart of the Loire, taking in numerous UNESCO World Heritage classified chateaux along the way, including Amboise, Chenonceau, Villandry, Langeais, Ussé, Chinon, Saumur and Angers. This is an enchanting tour for all abilities, making the most of a superb cycle network along tranquil waterways, all the while discovering the immense cultural and architectural heritage of the region. It's an opportunity to visit the area’s many wine cellars and vineyards, as well as the troglodyte caves of Turquant and Souzay-Champigny. To top it all off, the majority of the itinerary is on dedicated bike routes. Distance: 35-50km per day. E-bike upgrade available.
Indulgence - The Loire in Luxury
Decadence and luxury at every turn as you explore the Loire by bike
Offered by:
Cycling for Softies
Phone number:
+44 (0) 20 3944 5216
Tour length:
4 to 7 nights
Price:
From £1185
Famed for its grand chateaux – home down the years to French royals and aristocrats – few other regions in the world exude the same sense of class as the Loire Valley. Today the valley is one of the most popular cycling destinations in the world, thanks to an excellent network of cycle routes, easy terrain and an endless list of sites to see. By staying in three chateau hotels, you will experience this decadence first-hand and leave having cycled like a Softie and slept like royalty. The price of this tour includes delightful 4-star and 5-star hotels, breakfasts and some evening meals, fully serviced touring bikes with panniers, water bottle and repair kit, detailed route information through the Ride With GPS app, expert on-the-spot support, luggage transferred between hotels. E-bikes are available upon request and 100% financial security through ABTA and ATOL.
Leisurely Loire
A charming and relaxing tour through the breathtaking Loire region
Offered by:
BSpoke Cycling Tours
Phone number:
+44 (0) 20 3918 7325
Tour length:
9 nights
Price:
From £2350
Take your time to explore the regal Loire valley, home to countless castles and vineyards. Every part of this charming part of the world exudes a sense of class and refinement, with charming villages, grand castles and excellent local wine producers, each offering their own compelling reason to visit. This self-guided tour aims to encapsulate everything that makes this region so special – enjoy it at your own pace. The price includes delightful 3 and 4-star hotels on a bed and breakfast basis, 5 evening meals, fully serviced bikes with panniers, water bottle and repair kit, detailed route information through the Ride With GPS app, expert on-the-spot support, luggage transferred between your hotels and 100% financial security through ABTA and ATOL.
Loire à vélo from Tours to Angers
A week by the waters of the beautiful Loire
Offered by:
Abicyclette Voyages
Phone number:
+33 (0)2 30 96 49 54
Tour length:
6 days / 5 nights
Price:
From €560
From Tours with its attractive wooden houses dating back to the 15th century, this gentle paced self-guided tour will initially take you west along the banks of the river Cher. Take in the vibrant and colourful gardens at Château de Villandry before picking up the river Indre, which will guide you to Chinon and its 12th century fortress. Then from Saumur's castle, you'll ride through the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Nature Park with lots of chance to try local wines and produce along the way. The valleys around here have inspired many artists and maybe you too will find new inspiration. The price of this tour includes 24/7 phone assistance, GPS guided itinerary, luggage transfers, bike rental and accommodation with a number of different options to cater for all budgets.
Loire Single Centre Cycling Holiday
Fixed base self-guided cycling breaks in the Loire
Offered by:
BSpoke Cycling Holidays
Phone number:
+44 (0)20 7471 7750
Tour length:
3, 5 or 7 night options
Price:
From £525
Château de Candes is a delightfully quirky base in the charming cobbled village of Candes-St-Martin. The sumptuous and stylish houses, lofts and apartments are scattered around the grounds and within the immediate vicinity of the stunning main castle building. Candes-St-Martin is on the list of ‘plus beaux villages de France’, or the most beautiful villages of France. A short walk (or ride) along the river is the village of Montsoreau, an old river port from the medieval period when the Loire was a major trade route. Its chateau, the setting of a famous Dumas novel, is the only one in the Loire valley built in the riverbed itself. There are some great activities on offer for when you’re having a break from cycling. Take a trip to the Cadre Noire equestrian school in Saumur, visit local chateaux, canoe on the Loire and Indre rivers or indulge in a one-day wine-tasting tour. You will also be able to visit the ancient abbey at Fontevraud, with its mix of historical and contemporary attractions, sample the produce of the region's different wine appellations in one of the many local caves, paddle along the Vienne river between Chinon and Montsoreau in a canoe. The price of this tour includes touring bikes, water bottle and accessories, self-catering apartments, full tour information, detailed navigational material, often including GPS maps, local support whenever needed. E-bikes available on request. Full financial protection through ABTA and ATOL.
Loire's Chateaux and Vineyards
Pedal gently through fairytale France on this self-guided tour
Offered by:
BSpoke Cycling Tours
Phone number:
+44 (0)20 7471 7750
Tour length:
4 or 7 nights
Price:
From £745
Soaring high-slated turrets are your constant companions on this tour of the famous chateaux of the Loire valley. As you spend 8 days cycling through glorious countryside and medieval towns, you can sample some of the world's finest food and wine while staying in highly rated 3- and 4-star accommodation. Lots of the route is on quiet roads or the Loire à Velo cycle path, so a relaxing ride with a chance to enjoy the natural surroundings is guaranteed. The price includes bed and breakfast. Optional fights and transfers from UK can be arranged. Luggage transfers, bikes, panniers and puncture repair kits and route maps all included, as is assistance whenever needed. Tandems and electric bikes available on request.
Need planning help? Use our bespoke service
Let Freewheeling France help you plan your French cycling adventures
If you want to cycle in France but you're not sure where to go or how to sort it – maybe you're strugglng to find accommodation or the right self-guided or guided ride for you – then this service is for you. It's my own bespoke service that matches your holiday wishlist to the right tour operator or accommodation option for you. This is for riders who need a little support on the road – anything and everything from accommodation advice and route planning to hiring bikes and luggage transfers. I'm working with a network of cycling specialists across France to offer you the best cycling holidays possible – and tailored just for you, your dates and your cycling ability. Hit the brown button below or see this link for details.
Riverside Riding in the Loire
Riverside riding among fairytale chateaux
Offered by:
BSpoke Cycling Tours
Phone number:
+44 (0)20 7471 7750
Tour length:
4 or 6 nights
Price:
From £985
Take the scenic riverside cycle route along the river Loire as it meanders westwards from Blois to Saumur. A perfect riding tour for anyone hoping to visit the most celebrated châteaux in France and to sample the produce along the way. The cycling days are varied, a perfect mix of tourist sites and countryside, with mileage ranging from 27km per day to 63km (though this can be further tailored for you). This is a self-guided tour, with bikes, panniers and handlebar bags included, along with stacks of local knowledge, and full route maps and notes. Flights from the UK can also be arranged and included in your itinerary. Electric bikes available on request.
Single Centre Marine de Loire Cycling Holiday
A self-guided cycling break from the fixed base of Hotel Marine de Loire
Offered by:
Cycling for Softies
Phone number:
+44 (0)20 7471 7760
Tour length:
3 to 7 nights
Price:
From £450
The Marine de Loire sits on the riverbank in the heart of the charming village of Montsoreau, which is classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France. This self-guided holiday allows you to choose from a range of cycling and walking itineraries so you can explore the area at your own pace. All routes are fully mapped with notes and you can also try other activities such as canoeing on the Loire and Indre rivers or wine tasting if the fancy takes you. The price includes self-catering accommodation in stylish, fully-equipped apartments located in the converted out-building of this boutique 4-star hotel with use of the hotel facilities such as spa and terrace, bikes, pannier bags, water bottles and repair kits for the duration of your stay, support from a local representative and a welcome pack upon arrival which includes two bottles of local wine to get you off to a nice start.
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