Family tour on Loire à Vélo: from Tours to Saumur

  • 8 days / 6 days riding
  •  / ref. L21
  • / Difficulty Very Easy
  •  / Linear trip
from 980 €
per person
Book

Your family cycling tour on the "Loire à Vélo":

Discover this “Loire à Vélo” part full of chateaux and wonderful landscapes. Very easy ride along the last wild European large river and its numerous smaller rivers where beautiful chateaux and prestigious gardens are waiting for you.
Children appreciate especially the old fortified castles whereas the parents enjoy making a short stop in a wine cellar.

Tour highlights

  • Cycling paths appropriate for families
  • Rigny-Ussé, the « sleeping-Beauty » chateau
  • The medieval town of Chinon
  • The château of Langeais with its air of fortified castle

Day 1 Arrival in Tours


Visit the city of Tours to discover its old quarters and its typical half-timbered houses ; and its Gothic St Gatien cathedral.

Day 2 Tours – Villandy | 20 km


Follow “Loire à vélo”’cycling path and reach Villandry and its famous ‘French style’ Renaissance gardens. Enjoy the ‘Ornamental kitchen Garden’, the ‘Garden of Love’, the ‘Water Garden’ and the ‘Sun Garden’. These artistic gardens vary with seasons to make each visit an astonishment!

Optional
Visit of the Gardens of Villandry (Included in the "Visit Package")

chat. Villandry

Visit on your own of the famous « French style » Renaissance gardens and castle. The richness of the gardens at Villandry comes from their diversity, which is unique in Europe: a perfect harmony between the immense, decorative kitchen garden, and an ornamental garden based on the theme of ‘love’, water and music gardens, etc.

Day 3 Villandy – Azay le Rideau | 23 km


Keep follow the “Loire à vélo” cycling tracks up to the imposing towers and machicolations of the chateau de Langeais which will remind you of the perilous Middle Ages, when medieval fortresses were designed to be impregnable! Now leave the Loire river to join the Indre river and the town of Azay-le-Rideau: enjoy the romantic château of Azay le Rideau : a Renaissance marvel in a water and greenery setting.

Optional
Visit of the Chateau of Langeais (Included in the "Visit Package")
Chateau-de-Langeais

JM Laugery

Visit on your own of this typically mediaeval chateau located in the heart of the town, complete with drawbridge. It was in this ancient fortress that King Charles VIII of France married Anne de Bretagne to unify the country.

Day 4 Azay le Rideau – Rigny Ussé | 18 km


Before joining the Loire river, let be seduced by the charming château de l’Islette (which sheltered the tempestuous love affair between the two great sculptors Camille Claudel and Auguste Rodin). Then ride towards the ‘Sleeping Beauty’ chateau in Ussé which has inspired Perrault for its famous fairy tail story.

Optional
Visit of the Chateau of l’Islette (Included in the "Visit Package")
Chateau de l'Islette

V-Treney CRT Centre-Val-de-Loire

Visit on your own of this chateau, which is one of our favourites! Nestling on the banks of the river Indre, this romantic Renaissance chateau, which is still inhabited, is considered as the lesser known brother of the chateau of Azay-le-Rideau. At one time it sheltered the tempestuous love affair between the two great sculptors Camille Claudel and Auguste Rodin, and still holds evidence of their presence.

Day 5  Rigny Ussé – Chinon | 17 km


Ride along the Loire river before continuing through the vineyards of Chinon to reach the heart of the medieval city. The city is overlooked by its medieval castle where Joan of Arc was first presented to the French King Charles VII in 1429! Be sure to visit one of the many cellars built on the banks of the Vienne river to taste the famous red wine from Chinon.

Optional
Visit of the Royal Fortress of Chinon (Included in the "Visit Package")
Forteresse royale de Chinon

P-Forget CRT Centre-Val de Loire

Visit of the Royal Fortress of Chinon, overhanging the river Vienne since the Middle-Ages. The well-structured scenography makes you travel in time to the king Charles VII era and Ste Johann of Arc’s epic. She ordered the king to go to Reims to be crowned, in this place!

Day 6 Chinon – Montsoreau | 19 km


Leave Chinon following the “Loire à Vélo” routes which lead you to the village of Candes-Saint-Martin (where you can visit the magnificent 12th and 13th century collegiate church) and to the beautiful village of Montsoreau. Both villages are cited among the “Most Beautiful Villages of France”!

Optional
Canoe trip on the Vienne river (Chinon > Montsoreau)
balade en canoë sur la Vienne

Clan

Embark on a canoe trip on the Vienne river! From the fortress of Chinon, glide over the water between freshness and silence, to reach the superb village of Candes-Saint-Martin, at the confluence of the Loire and the Vienne. Now sail the Loire river to Montsoreau and its castle, the only one in the whole Loire valley to welcome you with its feet in the water! (approx. 3h – from April 22nd to September 30th).

Day 7 Montsoreau – Saumur | 27 km (via Fontevraud)


Head for Fontevraud and its majestic abbey: the largest monastic city remaining in Europe which is the Necropolis of the Plantagenêts sovereigns. Continue along troglodyte sites and vineyards before reaching Saumur overshadowed by its imposing château.

Optional
Visit of the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud (Included in the "Visit Package")
Fontevraud

Sylvain Brajeul

Free visit of this imposing and vast abbey, founded in 1099. It houses the recumbent tomb effigies of the Plantagenet dynasty, including Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard the Lionheart! This masterpiece of Romanesque art has other discoveries in store, such as the cloisters and gardens, or the chapter house.

Day 8 Departure during the day


The little extra with Biking France (optional):


  • Private return transfer from Saumur to Tours – (on request).
  • Our « Visit Package », with entrance fees to

. château de Langeais
. Villandry Gardens (Gardens & Château)
. Fontevraud Royal Abbey
. château d’Islette
. Royal Fortress of Chinon


Select your category

category Standard
category superior

Your accommodation

These hotels offer all the comfort and well-earned rest after a cycling day (private bathroom). A perfect place to enjoy all the centres of interest around.
These hotels provide charming services on high quality as well as a great location.
Pictures for indicative purposes. Depending on the availability.
Including :

• 7 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
• 1 dinner (drinks not included)
• Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20 kg per person)
• Equipped cycle rental for 6 days
• A personalized travel app, including all your cycling stages as well as tourist and practical information
• City taxes
• Hotline 7 days a week

Not including :

• 6 dinners / Lunches / Drinks
• Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
• Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
• Single room supplement (7 nights included)
• Transfer from Saumur to Tours and personal bike repatriation

Including :

• 7 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
• 1 dinner (drinks not included)
• Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20 kg per person)
• Equipped cycle rental for 6 days
• A personalized travel app, including all your cycling stages as well as tourist and practical information
• City taxes
• Hotline 7 days a week

Not including :

• 6 dinners / Lunches / Drinks
• Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
• Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
• Single room supplement (7 nights included)
• Transfer from Saumur to Tours and personal bike repatriation

Children discount :from 0 to 2 years old : - 90%
from 3 to 11 years old : - 30%
from 12 to 15 years old : - 20%

(Children's discounts only apply when triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by at least 2 people paying the full rate)

VTC GITANE bike - 21 speed gears

(bike included in this tour)

A bike that favors an upright, comfortable position, ideal for leisure riding.

OPEN frame, until 1m83
CLOSED frame, from 1m83

  • 1 rear pannier
  • 1 front pannier with a map holder
  • 1 repair kit
  • 1 smartphone holder
  • 1 lock
  • 1 bottle cage

Helmet not provided.

SCOTT Sub Sport 20 - 27 speed gears

A “sport” bike that favors a more athletic position and riding style.

OPEN frame, until 1m83
CLOSED frame, from 1m83

  • 1 rear pannier
  • 1 front pannier with a map holder
  • 1 repair kit
  • 1 smartphone holder
  • 1 lock
  • 1 bottle cage

Helmet not provided.

MOUSTACHE e-bike

OPEN frame

  • 1 rear pannier
  • 1 front pannier with a map holder
  • 1 repair kit
  • 1 smartphone holder
  • 1 lock

Helmet not provided.

(These models of e-bikes may be replaced by another one, similar)

Equipment & Bike for children

We provide bikes and equipment for children such as :

  • children’s bike
    (from 16 to 24 inches – from 1,05m to 1,45m / from 3’5’’ to 4’9’’)

velo enfant

  • “follow-me” tandem
    (for children from 5 to 8 years old – about 1,05m / 1,30m – from 3’5’’ to 4’4’’)
    The “follow-me” is a clever coupling device that allows you to attach the child’s bike to your bike with ease. It can be removed easily to let the child ride alone.

  • trailer
    (for baby or 25 kg maximum children)

  • baby seat
    (for baby or 22 kg maximum children, fixed on the rear rack)

Practical details

Bikes will be delivered at your 1st hotel.

At the end of the tour, leave the rental bikes at our partner, we will pick them up.

Your travel appYour journeyHow to arrive in ToursReturn

Your travel app

You’ll have personalized access to our travel app, which you can download onto your smartphone.
This app includes all your cycling stages, tourist and practical content, as well as your accommodation. The application will guide you along your route, like a GPS, during your cycling stages.

If you would like a printed version of the roadbook (including color maps of your stages), please let us know when you book your trip. It will be provided at your first accommodation.

How to arrive in Tours

By train
From Paris Montparnasse train station >> Tours train station (about 1 h by TGV train).
For more information, do not hesitate to visit : www.sncf.com/en

By plane

  • From Orly airport:
    – Taxi transfer to Paris Montparnasse train station >> Tours train station.

– Bus shuttle (Le Bus Direct) : from Orly Sud or Ouest >> Line 1 >> Paris Montparnasse train station >> Tours train station.
www.lebusdirect.com/en/lines-and-schedules/orly-airport-paris-etoile-champs-elysees-line.html

– Bus shuttle (Orly Bus) : from Orly Sud or Ouest > > Paris centre – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 4 >> Montparnasse train station >> Tours train station.
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlybus.php

– Orly Val (automatic metro): from Orly Sud or Ouest >> Paris – stop ‘Antony’ >> RER B – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 4 >> Montparnasse train station >> Tours train station.
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlyval.php
www.transilien.com/en
www.ratp.fr/en/plans-lignes

  • From Beauvais airport:
    – Taxi transfer to Paris Montparnasse train station >> Tours train station.

– Bus shuttle >> Paris – stop ‘Porte Maillot’ >> Metro line 1 + line 13 >> Paris Montparnasse train station >> Tours train station.
www.aeroportparisbeauvais.com/en/acces-et-transports/navettes/

Return

If you have to come back to the start point:

  • This return can be carry out by RandoVelo/Biking France.
  • A return transfer by train is possible and organised on your own. Please visit: www.sncf.com/en
    Plan to go to the train station with your luggage (and your potential own bike)
    (Personal bike return costs are on your responsibility.)
    – Chinon train Station >> Tours train Station (about 50 minutes by train).
    – Chinon >> Tours (by taxi).

If you have to return to Paris (city centre) / Paris Airports:

  • This return can be carry out by RandoVelo/Biking France.
  • A return transfer by train is possible and organised on your own. Please visit: www.sncf.com/en
    Plan to go to the train station with your luggage (and your potential own bike)
    (Personal bike return costs are on your responsibility.)
    – Chinon train Station >> Tours train station (by train) >> Paris Montparnasse train station (by TGV train).
    – Chinon train Station >> Tours train station (by train) >> St Pierre des Corps station (by TGV train) >> Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV Station (by TGV train).

Nearby airports:
– Tours Airport : www.tours.aeroport.fr/home
– Nantes Airport : www.nantes.aeroport.fr
– Poitiers Airport : www.poitiers.aeroport.fr/en