+33(0)2 54 78 62 52Family tour on Loire à Vélo: from Tours to Saumur
- 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
Reference : L21
Difficulty : Very Easy
Linear trip
From March to October
Departure: daily
Some questions about this trip ?
Contact us +33(0)2 54 78 62 52 or by email
> Download tour program
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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”!
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.
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
- from March 1st to April 30th
from May 12th to June 30th
from September 1st to October 31st - Departure: daily
390 € / pers.*
460 € / pers.*
- from May 1st to 11th
from July 1st to August 31st - Departure: daily
390 € / pers.*
460 € / pers.*
Category's details
• 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
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
•
A personalised navigation app showing points of interest along the route
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• 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
• 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
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
•
A personalised navigation app showing points of interest along the route
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• 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
from 3 to 11 years old : - 30%
from 12 to 15 years old : - 20%
(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum )
According to the category(price per person)
(including 6 dinners – excluding drinks)
(accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
+ 67 € / pers.
+ 45 € / pers.*
+ 82 € / pers.
+ 55 € / pers.*
(accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
+ 70 € / pers.
+ 37 € / pers.*
+ 70 € / pers.
+ 55 € / pers.*
from 0 to 2 years old : - 90% / from 3 to 11 years old : - 30% / from 12 to 15 years old : - 20%
(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum )
Extras
If you bring your own bike.
SCOTT bike – “Sub Sport 20”
. Villandry Gardens (Gardens & Château)
. château de Langeais
. château de l’Islette
. Fontevraud Royal Abbey
. Royal Fortress of Chinon
(for children: a discount will be applied according to ages – after booking)
- Baby seat :
- Trailer :
- 'follow-me' tandem :
+ 30 € / pers.
+ 90 € / pers.
+ 90 € / pers.
(in the case of a single person per booking)
Your accommodation
Your cycle hire
(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.
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.
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)
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’’)
- “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)
- 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.
> How to arrive in Tours
> Return
Your journey
Tour description:
Exclusively cycling paths or signposted routes for cyclists.
Bike stages trip profiles:
Tours – Villandry : 20 km / elevation gain: 125m / elevation loss: 134m
Villandry – Azay-le-Rideau : 23 km / elevation gain: 55m / elevation loss: 48m
Azay-le-Rideau – Rigny Ussé : 18 km / elevation gain: 32m / elevation loss: 41m
Rigny Ussé – Chinon : 17 km / elevation gain: 153m / elevation loss: 160m
Chinon – Montsoreau : 19 km / elevation gain: 87m / elevation loss: 69m
Montsoreau – Saumur (via Fontevraud) : 27 km / elevation gain: 228m / elevation loss: 239m
Navigation app:
Besides the maps, we also provide a personalised navigation app showing points of interest along the route.
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 Roissy CDG airport:
– Roissy Charles de Gaulle T.2 train station >> Tours train station (by TGV train).
www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passengers/access/paris-charles-de-gaulle/public-transport
- 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/
- From Tours airport:
– Taxi transfer or TRAM (tramway – from stop « Terminus Vaucanson ») line A >> stop ‘Nationale’ or Jean Jaurès’ or ‘Gare de Tours’.
www.tours.aeroport.fr/gp/Parking-and-Transport/309
- From Nantes airport:
– Taxi transfer or Bus shuttle « TAN » : Nantes train station >> Tours train station.
www.tan.fr/fr/menu/se-deplacer/tan/navette-aeroport/
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
Some questions about this trip ?
Contact us +33(0)2 54 78 62 52 or by email
