Adventure Travel by Big Earth Adventure

Europe

With each country's diverse history, archeology, culture and languages make it very appealling and rewarding to visit - and visit more than once - many times. You now have the opportunity to experience many different travel styles. Take guided or self-guided trips through Italy, France, Germany. Take the Eurorail from Zurich to Munich, walk the Danube Canal. Whether you want to stay in a villa in France, bike the Loire Valley or take a guided walk through Tuscany.
Home Page
Contact Big Earth
Before you GO
Europe Map
Custom Inquiry

LOIRE VALLEY BIKING

Trip code:

 ex-lv

Trip length:

 8 days

Group size:

 Maximum 14

Transportation:

 Easy Biking through France.

Trip Overview

This easy-going trip utilises the comfort and warmth of small, local hotels in the pleasant towns and villages of the Loire. Carrying only what we need for each day, we ride from Montrichard via medieval Amboise and elegant Azay-le-Rideau to Chinon. Our normal ride between nightstops is about 40km, so there's ample time to visit the delightful villages, châteaux and vineyards along the way. There are options for longer routes, so you can cycle as much as you want.

We begin in Montrichard on the River Cher. As the trip is designed with flexibility in mind you can choose to do some optional cycle rides to the 17th century Château de Gue Pean or to the vineyards of the Cher region. We then cycle to Amboise via the beautiful Château de Chenonceau - built on a rocky plateau between the Loire and the Masse rivers. Leonardo da Vinci spent his last days here, as a guest of the French king.

Now following the Loire, we pedal to Chinon and the Vienne River, admiring as we go the 'Sleeping Beauty' Château d'Ussé with its fearsome turrets and towering chimneys. Our time is free in Chinon: you can wander through the old town (known for its medieval timber-framed houses and winding alleys), cycle to Fontevraud Abbey or perhaps follow a wine trail to try some of the light whites of the region.

Itinerary & Departure Dates

Day 1 - Join tour Montrichard. The hotel is situated close to the centre of this
small town, which still retains several medieval houses clustered around its 11th century keep. 2 nights hotel and breakfast. H+.

Day 2 - In Montrichard Having had a chance to familiarise ourselves with our
bikes, we start by exploring the area around Montrichard. There is the opportunity to cycle east of the village to taste the local wines and fruit liqueurs of the Cher region in small co-operatives, or visit the 17th century
château of Gue Pean and Pontlevoy Abbey, a gentle introductory ride. Alternatively, you can just follow the local backroads through small, quiet villages. In the afternoon you may like to tour the large Montmousseau winery or visit the mushroom museum. (Optional rides up to approx. 35 km/22 miles).

Day 3 - Cycle to Amboise. Following the River Cher, we pass through the
village of Chissay. The magnificent château of Chenonceau is close by, beautifully situated above the waters of the Cher. Leaving the river, we cycle through the tranquil forest to our overnight stop at Amboise. On arrival you
may choose to visit Clos Lucé, the house where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last 3 years and now a museum dedicated to his life and work. (Total cycling approx. 29 km/18 miles). Overnight hotel and breakfast. H.

Day 4 - Cycle to Azay-le-Rideau A longer days’ cycling on cross country routes via St Martin-le-Beau and Nitray to Cormery, a town famous for its acaroons,
and then along the River Indre, with optional visits to Pont-de-Ruan and Sache, home of Balzac and now the site of an excellent museum of literature. (Total cycling approx.54 km/34 miles). 2 nights hotel and breakfast. H+.
 Day 5 - In Azay-le-Rideau. We spend the day in Azay, where we can visit
the château and walk in its gardens along the banks of the River Indre. For those wanting to explore further, south-east of Azay is the troglodyte village of Villaines-les-Rochers, now famous for its willow basket-weaving. Or north
of Azay is Villandry, with its beautifully recreated Renaissance garden, one of the finest in the whole of France. (Optional rides up to approx. 38 km/24 miles).

Day 6 - Cycle to Chinon. South-west of Azay, en-route to Chinon and
situated between the banks of the Loire and the Forest of Chinon, is the Château d'Ussé – a truly romantic château and reputedly the setting for the fairy tale 'Sleeping Beauty'. On the north bank of the river are the vineyards of Bourgeuil, famous for their velvety red wines. A variety of routes to Chinon are possible, depending on your preferences. (Total cycling approx. 35 km/
22 miles). 2 nights hotel and breakfast. H+.

Day 7- In Chinon. Today we suggest you walk through the cobbled streets of the old town of Chinon and up to the château, where Joan of Arc identified the Dauphin, or cycle the circular 'Wine Route' of Chinon southeast along the
River Vienne experiencing the famous Chinon vineyards as you go. Alternatively, you can take a westerly direction and visit Fontevraud Abbey, which houses the tombs of the Plantagenet kings including Henry II and Richard the Lionheart. (Optional rides up to approx. 43 km/27 miles).

Day 8. Saturday. Tour ends Chinon.


Look below for departure dates.

Accommodations

7 Nights small hotels

Meals

7 Breakfasts

Departure Dates

02 July - 09 July
09 July - 16 July
16 July - 23 July
23 July - 30 July
30 July - 06 August
06 August - 13 August
13 August - 20 August
20 August - 27 August
27 August - 03 September
03 September - 10 September
10 September - 17 September
17 September - 24 September

Please contact us for a detailed trip dossier, free brochure, availability and prices.