Cycling Past Vineyards and Magnificent Architecture

The Loire is the largest river in France flowing from the Massif Central to the Atlantic Ocean. Along the rivers lower reaches and tributaries are the ornate chateaux built by the French noblemen in the 300 years before the French Revolution. In the same area are the vineyards that collectively produce the Vins de Touraine, many of which can be tasted along the way.

Our tour starts at Amboise and ends at Saumur, providing an opportunity to visit many of the chateaux: Amboise, Chenonceaux, Azay-le-Rideau, Usse, Chinon, and Saumur as well as Le Clos Luce (Leonardo da Vinci’s home at Amboise), Balzac’s house at Sache, the Abbey of Fontevraud and the superb classical gardens of Villandry. We can explore the vineyards of Chinon and Saumur, and follow the banks of the Rivers Cher, Indre and Vienne as well as of those of the Loire itself.

Make time in Amboise for Leonardo da Vinci's s futuristic gadgetry at Le Clos Luce then head out on your first days cycling along the banks of the Loire and Cher. The first taste of the magnificent architecture is at Chateau de la Bordaisiere, followed by the exquisite Chateau de Chenonceaux, built on a bridge spanning the River Cher. There is plenty of time to visit Chenonceaux before a half-day ride over the low hills of the watershed leading to the River Indre where our hotel nestles below the chateau of Loches. An easy ride through the peaceful scenery of the Indre valley passes the ruined abbey at Cormery and ends at Montbazon where your destination is Port-Moulin in the grounds of the Chateau d'Artigny, now converted to a hotel. The ride to Azay le Rideau presents an opportunity to visit the house of the novelist Balzac (in the small chateau at Sache), includes the celebrated gardens at Villandry and passes the confluence of the Rivers Cher and Loire. In Azay-le-Rideau, the famous chateau, built on an island, is illuminated by night (mid May to mid September) for a son-et-lumiere show. From Azay-le-Rideau you can visit the Chateau d' Usse used by the fairytale writer Perrault as a model for 'Sleeping Beauty', before continuing on to Chinon the centre of a well known wine growing region. Your final day's cycling takes you via the Foret de Fontevraud and the celebrated Abbey to Saumur, dominated by its gothic chateau.

Inn to Inn 8 days	Click here detailed dossier
Duration: 7 nights / 8 days Tour Code: CLV Grade: Easy Bike Hire: Included in price Day Stages: Min 37km, max 45km.
SELF-GUIDED Dates 2009	Click here for latest SELF-GUIDED prices
Any Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday March - Late October. (Other days on request)

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