Cycling Holidays in France | Freewheel Holidays | Loire Valley

Overview

Magnificent châteaux, relaxed cycling, and time to enjoy the unique French style of a region favoured by kings

Visit some of the finest châteaux in the ‘Valley of the Kings’
Enjoy superb regional French cuisine
Famous wines of the Loire – stop for samples in ‘Caves du Vin’
Magnificent ornamental gardens at Villandry
Easy-paced, relaxed cycling away from the maintourist trails

Enjoy a peaceful tranquillity often undiscovered by visitors to the Loire. Our gentle cycling holidays ensure you see some of the most splendid châteaux whilst travelling along country lanes and riverside paths away from the well-beaten tourist trail. The route wends its way through verdant valleys, past flower-filled cottage gardens, acres of vineyards, and charming rustic villages.

Bypass the traffic but not France’s ‘Valley of the Kings’ – see the elegant pinnacles of the Château d’Ussé, graceful Azay-le-Rideau, and the Château de Villandry, surrounded by some of the finest formal gardens in France; admire the magnificent castles where Henry II, King John and Richard the Lionheart held court ; explore historic Chinon, the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud and the pretty villages of Huismes and Candes St.Martin.

click to view map

Terrain

Cycle on country roads and river towpaths. On the approach to Azay-le-Rideau on day 5 (day 3 of 4 night tour) there is a 2 mile ride on a main road. Route is generally flat or downhill, except on day 4 (day 2 of 4 night tour) when there are short ascents to Fontevraud and Candes St.Martin.

Climate

Average maximum daytime temperatures in the period May to September range from 20-27°C (68-80°F). Rainfall averages just 2” per month.

Tour Gallery

7 nights 4 nights

DAY 1

Arrive in Noyant de Touraine
Arrive in Tours. Transfer with your host to your first hotel, the splendid Château de Brou. Dinner is taken this evening in the château.

DAY 2

Noyant de Touraine to Chinon (Cycling Day)
A gentle ride through the Val de Courtineau through sleepy villages, and then following tracks through Touraine vineyards, sampling the produce if you must. The charm of rural France is all yours today. Chinon is your base for three nights.
23m (37km)

DAY 3

Chinon (Rest Day)
A full day in Chinon with its many attractions. Enjoy the view from the Tour de Boissy, part of the Château de Chinon; explore the mediaeval castle, and stroll along the cobbled streets of the old town.

DAY 4

Chinon Loop Tour (Optional Cycling Day)
Our suggested ride today takes you along a quiet river towpath and then through a forest to the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud, the largest complex of monastic buildings in France. Continue along a scenic route to Candes St.Martin and the nearby Château de Montsoreau, before pedalling back to Chinon
23m (36km)

DAY 5

Chinon - Azay-le-Rideau (Cycling Day)
Leave Chinon through fields and vineyards and along the River Indre to the magnificent Château d’Ussé, the model for the castle in the tale of ‘Sleeping Beauty’. Continue to Azay-le-Rideau your base for the next two nights.
21m (33km)

DAY 6

Azay-le-Rideau
The village centres around the 16th century château, one of the most elegant in the Loire area, set in woodland and surrounded by a moat. You can view the interior and there are son-et-lumière displays in the evening. The village itself is very attractive and boasts some excellent restaurants.

DAY 7

Azay-le-Rideau - Villandry (Cycling Day)
Cycle along the river to the superb Château de Villandry with its remarkable gardens restored to their 16th century splendour, and said to be the finest in France. The Château is open to the public.
15m (24km)

DAY 8

Return Home
Transfer with your host back to Tours for your flight or rail journey home.

Departure Dates 2010

Any day from 1 May 2010 to 30 September 2010 (4 and 7 night tours)

Prices 2010

Prices are per person and exclude flights. Board basis is bed & breakfast with one evening meal on the first night (7 nt tour only). Adult prices are based on two people sharing a room.
Single room supplement: £20 per night

4 Night Tour
	Adult	Child
1 May - 30 Jun	£369	£299
1 Jul - 31 Aug	£379	£299
1 Sep - 30 Sep	£369	£299

7 Night Tour
	Adult	Child
1 May - 30 Jun	£649	£499
1 Jul - 31 Aug	£699	£499
1 Sep - 30 Sep	£649	£499

Getting there

Flights to Paris are available from the following operators:
British Airways - (from Manchester / Birmingham / Heathrow)
Easyjet - (from Luton / Edinburgh / Belfast / Liverpool / Glasgow)
Flybe - (from Exeter / Birmingham / Cardiff / Manchester / Southampton)
Jet2 - (from Leeds-Bradford)
BMI - (from East Midlands)

Trains are available from:
St Pancras / Ebbsfleet / Ashford taking you to Lille. Transfer to the TGV to Tours St.Pierre des Corps.

Transfer Information
Tours Airport or Tours St.Pierre des Corps railway station to Noyant de Touraine – approx 1 hour. Return from Villandry to Tours – approx 45 mins.

Links to Operators:

Hotels

Auberge Le Colombien - Villandry

This 2 star (3 chimneys from Logis de France) hotel is located in the heart of the village and only 100 metres from the Chateau of Villandry. 14 Rooms all with bath or shower /wc, hairdryer, individually decorated and furnished with authentic furniture. Your breakfast is served either in the dining room or if you prefer in the comfort of your room. There are 2 dining rooms offering traditional and local cuisine.

www.auberge-lecolombien.com

Château de Brou - Noyant de Touraine

The Château was built in 1475 and has been beautifully restored as a hotel of exceptional quality. It overlooks the Manse valley and is surrounded by beautiful parkland where deer roam. The Castle has been open as a hotel since July 1998. Its owners and staff provide a warm welcome. The rooms are all individually styled along a historical theme. The food in the hotel restaurant is highly recommended.

www.chateau-de-brou.fr

Hotel de Biencourt - Azay le Rideau

The hotel was built in the 18th century. It is set in a semi-pedestrian street in the heart of the village, just 50 metres to the elegant chateau. All rooms are stylishly decorated and have bath or shower, hand wash basin/wc. Breakfast is served inside or out on the patio overlooking the beautiful gardens.

www.hotelbiencourt.com

Hotel Diderot - Chinon

Situated only a few hundred metres from the town centre, the Hotel Diderot has the charm of an authentic 15th century dwelling. All rooms have bath or shower /wc. There is a pretty terrace to relax on and enjoy a glass or two of Chinon wine. Breakfast is served on the terrace in the shade of the banana and olive trees - try one of the many homemade jams. There are 65 varieties to choose from ! In a review in the Sunday Times Magazine on 6th July 2008, the Diderot was considered to be one of the top 20 hotels in Europe under €100.

www.hoteldiderot.com

Hotel Plantagenet - Chinon

Hotel Le Plantagenet offers comfortable accomodation with 32 rooms all with an en-suite bathroom, satellite TV, direct-dial phone and modem connection. A lounge bar by the reception desk is open only to hotel customers for fresh drinks or a nice home selection of local wines discovered along vineyard escapes. In the morning sun, a welcoming buffet offers a great choice of fresh food (fruit juice, milk, yoghurt, butter, wide range of breads and croissants or cereals, seasonal fruits, jams, hot drinks (chocolate, coffee and selection of teas) and home made delights…

www.hotel-plantagenet.com