From Saumur to Chinon, bike escape off the beaten track
5 days / 4 days riding / ref. L18 / Difficulty Moderate / Round tripper person
Your cycling tour in the Loire Valley:
Enjoy the western Loire Valley sweetness and Touraine Treasures !
From Saumur, cycle through the prestigious vineyards of Saumur Champigny and Chinon, still surrounded by hundred-year-old stone walls.
Following the « Loire à vélo » cycling paths, ride along imposing chateaux proudly overlooking the Loire river and its wild landscapes. Then, Romanesque Abbeys and picturesque green gardens ‘à la Française’ guide all through your journey.
Tour highlights
- The discovery of Fontevraud Abbaye and the astonishing chateau of Brézé
- The troglodyte discovery
- A cycling itinerary leading you off the beaten track
- In the heart of the prestigious Chinon and Saumur-Champigny vineyards
Day 1Arrival in Saumur
Saumur welcomes you for your bike tour between Anjou and Touraine. Walk around Saumur’s streets, to the place Saint Pierre where you should stop to drink a glass of sparkling wine and then climb to the castle from where you will have a stunning view on the city of Saumur and the Loire river.
Day 2Saumur – Fontevraud | 44 km
This first stage guide you through the « Saumur Champigny » vineyards producing very elegant red wines. Make a stop at château de Brézé, well known for its impressive underground cellars ! Then, ride to Fontevraud and its royal abbey : an outstanding example of Romanesque art founded in 1099, considered as Europe’s most important monastic complex.
chat. Brézé
Free visit of this chateau… and its incredible trogloditic basement! With its 18m deep dry moats, and impressive network of galleries, it is the largest underground fortress in Europe. An amazing place to visit.
Extra night in Fontevraud + bike excursion to Montreuil Bellay (45 km)
Possibility to plan an extra bike excursion away from major tourist routes to Montreuil-Bellay, a wonderful medieval city!
Day 3Fontevraud – Chinon | 52 km
After cycling through the Fontevraud forest, follow the roads in the heart of the Chinon vineyards, then experience a charming brand new bike path passing via typical villages and houses in tuffeau stone. After a stop at the château du Rivau which evokes the wonderful middle-Age stories and legends, reach the mediaeval town of Chinon, built on the Vienne river banks.
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.
pixabay
Discover and taste the ‘Chinon’ appellation wines, in the cellar of a winegrower.
Day 4Chinon – Azay le Rideau | 43 km
Ride in the heart of the most prestigious parcels of the Chinon vineyards before reaching one of the most beautiful French village: Crissay-sur-Manse. Continue through the sweet Touraine countryside, via the capital city of basketry: Villaines-les-Rochers, and reach Azay-le-Rideau, charming village and impressive Renaissance Castle, which carved walls reflect on the surrounding water.
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!
Extra night in Azay le Rideau + bike excursion to Villandry (38 km)
Possibility to plan an extra bike excursion to Villandry, famous for its exceptional « French style » Renaissance gardens.
Day 5Azay le Rideau – Saumur | 58 km
Following the river Indre, reach the splendid tiny château of Islette, still inhabited by its owners, before joining the “Loire à Vélo” routes and the village of Candes-Saint-Martin; stop for a while, and feel the quietness of this place, walking in the flowered streets. Keep going riding to Montsoreau and its castle on the Loire banks. The troglodyte’s villages and the vines on the hills lead you to Saumur.
Departure at the end of the stage.
Possibility to book an extra night in Saumur.
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.
The little extra with Biking France (optional):
Our « Visit Package », with entrance fees to
. Fontevraud Abbey
. château de l’Islette in Azay-le-Rideau
. Royal Fortress of Chinon
. château de Brézé
+ a wine tasting in Chinon
Documents
> Download tour programSelect your category
Your accommodation
• 4 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 4 days
•
A personalized travel app, including all your cycling stages as well as tourist and practical information
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (4 nights included)
• 4 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 4 days
•
A personalized travel app, including all your cycling stages as well as tourist and practical information
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (4 nights included)
• 4 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 4 days
•
A personalized travel app, including all your cycling stages as well as tourist and practical information
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (4 nights included)
from 3 to 11 years old : - 20%
from 12 to 15 years old : - 10%
(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum )
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’’)
- “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 hotel.
At the end of the tour, leave the rental bikes at our partner, we will pick them up.
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.
In addition to the app, you’ll receive a complete digital roadbook by email, including color maps of your stages.
If you would like a printed version of the roadbook, please let us know when you book your trip. It will be provided at your first accommodation.
Your journey
Tour description
Mix of signposted routes for cyclists (about 50%) and small traffic roads.
Bike stages trip profiles
(click below to see the trip profile of each stage)
- stage Saumur – Fontevraud : 44 km / elevation gain : 364m / elevation loss : 312m
- stage Fontevraud – Chinon : 52 km / elevation gain : 368m / elevation loss : 415m
- stage Chinon – Azay le Rideau : 43 km / elevation gain : 255m / elevation loss : 247m
- stage Azay le Rideau – Saumur : 58 km / elevation gain : 327m / elevation loss : 337m
- excursion Fontevraud – Montreuil Bellay – Fontevraud : 49 km / elevation gain : 338m / elevation loss : 337m
- excursion Azay le Rideau – Villandry – Azay le Rideau : 43 km / elevation gain : 215m / elevation loss : 214m
How to arrive in Saumur
By train
From Paris Montparnasse train station >> Angers St Laud train station or St Pierre des Corps train station (by TGV train) >> Saumur train station (about 2h30 by TGV train + 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 >> Angers St Laud train station (by TGV train) >> Saumur train station (by train).
www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passengers/access/paris-charles-de-gaulle/public-transport
- From Orly airport:
– Taxi transfer to Paris Montparnasse train station >> Angers St Laud train station or St Pierre des Corps train station (by TGV train) >> Saumur train station (by train).
– Bus shuttle (Le Bus Direct) : from Orly Sud or Ouest >> Line 1 >> Paris Montparnasse train station >> Angers St Laud train station or St Pierre des Corps train station (by TGV train) >> Saumur train station (by train).
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 >> Angers St Laud train station or St Pierre des Corps train station (by TGV train) >> Saumur train station (by train).
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 >> Angers St Laud train station or St Pierre des Corps train station (by TGV train) >> Saumur train station (by train).
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 >> Angers St Laud train station or St Pierre des Corps train station (by TGV train) >> Saumur train station (by train).
– Bus shuttle >> Paris – stop ‘Porte Maillot’ >> Metro line 1 + line 13 >> Paris Montparnasse train station >> Angers St Laud train station or St Pierre des Corps train station (by TGV train) >> Saumur train station (by train).
www.aeroportparisbeauvais.com/en/acces-et-transports/navettes/
- From Tours airport:
– Taxi transfer or TRAM (tramway – from stop « Terminus Vaucanson ») line A >> ‘Gare de Tours’ >> Saumur train station (by train).
www.tours.aeroport.fr/gp/Parking-and-Transport/309
- From Nantes airport:
– Taxi transfer or Bus shuttle « TAN » : Nantes train station >> Saumur train station.
www.tan.fr/fr/menu/se-deplacer/tan/navette-aeroport/
Return
If you have to return to Paris (city centre) / Paris Airports:
- This return can be carry out by RandoVelo/Biking France (please contact us).
- 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).
– Saumur train Station >> Angers St Laud train station (by train) >> Paris Montparnasse train station (by TGV train).
– Saumur train Station >> Angers St Laud train station or Saint Pierre des Corps train Station (by 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
