✓ 2026: Free cancellation up to 7 days before (travel credits) · ✓ 2027: Book with just 10% deposit✓ 2026: Free cancellation up to 7 days before (travel credits) · ✓ 2027: Book with just 10% deposit
Chatilllon sur Loire, France. Cyclists ride along the Loire River in France.
Fontevraud abbey
Cycling along the Canal latéral à la Loire in front of farm land and mustard fields, France
The Famous Castle of Saumur, Loire Valley, France
Scenic view of the Loire river with Cessart bridge in Saumur, Maine-et-Loire department, France
Senior couple cycling on coastal path near La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime, France.
Villandry castle with outstanding gardens. Loire valley, France
Chateau Azay-le-Rideau, France
People cycling and walking past bright yellow autumn vineyards near a village in Alsace, France.
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France's Castles, Rivers and Vineyards

8 days / 7 nights

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An easy-paced journey through historic towns and royal estates, shaped by waterways, local cuisine and a long tradition of wine and craftsmanship.

Starting Point

Chinon

Finish Point

Chinon

Activity Level

2/5

Season

From April to October

Bike Type

Gravel Bike / E-Bike

Accommodation Level

Comfort

Daily Distance

14 – 34 mi

Daily Elevation

295 – 1181 ft

Highlights

  • Cycle between historic towns including Chinon, Saumur and Azay-le-Rideau
  • Visit landmark châteaux such as Villandry and Fontevraud Abbey
  • Ride quiet country lanes and traffic-free paths along rivers and vineyards
  • Combine cycling with time for gardens, cafés and local wine tastings
  • Enjoy regional food and wine, including local whites, reds and sparkling styles
  • Trace Loire Valley history linked to Joan of Arc, Henry II and Leonardo da Vinci

What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

Those who like good adventure and limitless flexibility should go on a self-guided cycling holiday. It offers complete freedom, multiple detour opportunities, and exploration at your own pace without having to adapt to a group.

INCLUDED

7 nights in 3- and 4-star hotels with breakfast
Digital guidebook with itinerary, route instructions, and practical information
GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app
Tour design and organization
Service and support during your tour
Luggage transfer
Bike fitting
Touring bike rental

NOT INCLUDED

Travel insurance
Tourist tax

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

E-bike
Single supplement
Accommodation levelComfort

Carefully selected 3- and 4-star hotels, guesthouses, and B&Bs, all with private en-suite rooms and breakfast included. Expect comfortable, well-appointed rooms with attentive hospitality, typically in convenient and scenic locations — some properties also offer on-site dining.

These are examples of the type and standard you can expect. Actual properties may vary depending on availability.

This Loire Valley cycling tour places you in a region shaped by rivers, royal estates and long-establisged wine traditions. The riding is mostly flat and follows well-developed cycle routes, making it easy to focus on the surroundings rather than the effort.

Much of the journey unfolds beside the Loire, Vienne and Indre rivers. As you ride, vineyard landscapes give way to market towns, quiet villages and some of France’s most recognisable châteaux.

Visits to places such as Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau and Fontevraud-l’Abbaye reveal formal gardens, riverside architecture and monastic heritage that defined the region for generations. History is ever-present, with connections to figures including Joan of Arc, Henry II and Leonardo da Vinci woven naturally into the journey.

Daily rides remain relaxed and manageable, making use of quiet country lanes and traffic-free cycle paths.Where available, optional route variations allow you to shorten or extend a ride without changing the overall rhythm of the tour.

Towns such as Chinon and Saumur offer natural pauses. You can stop for a coffee, wander riverside streets or simply enjoy unhurried time in places that reward slowing down.

Food and wine play a central role, with cycling days passing through established wine-growing areas and evenings left open to enjoy regional cuisine. Expect local whites, reds and sparkling wines alongside seasonal produce, cheeses and simple, well-prepared meals.

With luggage transfers, GPS navigation and local support in place, this tour offers a calm and well-structured way to explore central France by bike, combining ease of travel with depth of place and a strong sense of continuity from day to day.

Things to know

The best time for cycling in Europe depends on where you're headed. Here's a quick breakdown by season:

  • Spring (April–May) is ideal for Southern Europe — moderate temperatures, quiet roads, and the countryside in full bloom. Great for Portugal or Italy

  • Early summer (June) is the sweet spot across most of Central Europe — Austria and Slovenia are all at their best, with long daylight hours and alpine passes fully open.

  • Late summer to early autumn (August–September) suits places like Norway and Denmark — cooler temperatures, plenty of daylight, and far fewer tourists than peak season.

  • Winter is generally off-season for most European cycling destinations. The exception is warmer regions like the Canary Islands and southern Spain — all rideable year-round.

Still a hard choice? See our tour choosing guide that will answer any questions or doubts you still might have.

Our tours can be adapted to any bike type — whether road, gravel, or mountain bike. We are in constant communication with you to find the optimal conditions for your cycling holidays in Europe.

The most versatile option is a gravel bike, even if you are coming on a road cycling holiday. It does not really affect your road performance while allowing you to take some scenic backroads that can be in a slightly worse state than the main ones. A gravel bike is usually more comfortable as well.

Europe is a very diverse continent and there is something for every cyclist. Whichever bike you choose, we will find the perfect route for you.

We offer four types of cycling holidays, each suited to a different kind of rider — and it's worth noting that most of our tours are compatible with more than one bike type, so you're rarely locked into a single option.

  • Road cycling — best for avid cyclists with the endurance to handle multiple long days in a row. Expect high daily distances, paved roads, and a pace that rewards fitness.

  • Gravel cycling — suitable for anyone comfortable spending multiple days in the saddle with some moderate climbing. Terrain is mostly tarmac and gravel, stages are manageable, and the pace is flexible. Our most popular format.

  • E-bike holidays — ideal for those who want to cover the same scenic routes with less physical strain. Electric assistance makes longer distances and hillier terrain accessible to a much wider range of riders.

  • Mountain biking — suited to riders comfortable on technical terrain. Our MTB holidays tackle rougher trails, steeper descents, and more demanding surfaces. Adjustable to your skill level, but not recommended for complete beginners.

Absolutely — and in fact, most of our tours are designed with solo travellers in mind.

Our self-guided tours mean you cycle at your own pace, on your own schedule, without being tied to a group. You're independent on the road, but fully supported behind the scenes — we handle your accommodation, luggage transfers, and route planning, and our team is reachable throughout your trip.

If you're travelling alone, just let us know when booking. We'll advise you on the single supplement and flag which tours are most popular with solo travellers.

If you want to, sure! We are well aware that some people love to stay in groups while others prefer some more alone time on their trip. We wanted to give you the opportunity to do things your way — it is your holiday, after all!

As long as you respect the group timings and locations designated by your guide, please feel free to customise your itinerary by scheduling a free meeting with our specialists and we will see what we can do at the chosen destination!

On a self-guided cycling tour, you're in charge of your own pace and schedule — no group to keep up with, no fixed departure times, no guide leading the way.

Before your trip, we take care of everything behind the scenes. We plan your route, book all your accommodation, arrange daily luggage transfers, and load your GPS with turn-by-turn navigation. You receive a detailed digital guidebook covering each stage, what to expect on the road, and recommendations along the way.

On the day, you simply check out, drop your bags at reception, and ride. Your luggage arrives at the next hotel before you do.

Throughout the trip, our team is reachable if anything comes up — a question, a change of plan, or something unexpected. You're independent, but never on your own.

If you'd like to know more about how it all fits together, visit our self-guided tours manual.

On our guided tours, you will have professional local guides. Our guides will make sure that you will have expert guidance combined with great fun and a memorable experience.

Some of our Slovenian tours are also also available as group guided tours.

Every day starts with breakfast at your hotel. From there, the day is yours.

Your luggage is collected from reception and transported to your next hotel — so you set off with just a daypack. Your GPS route and daily notes are ready in the app.

Most stages take between 4–7 hours of cycling depending on the tour, with plenty of stops along the way.

You decide the pace, when to take breaks, and whether to linger somewhere that catches your eye.

By the time you arrive at your next hotel, your bags are already waiting. The evening is entirely free.

Hassle-Free

We take care of route planning, accommodations, luggage transfers, and all logistics, so you can focus purely on enjoying your ride.

Tried & Tested Adventures

Our cycling routes are hand-picked & tested, to ensure breathtaking landscapes, smooth roads, and maximum safety - giving you the perfect ride every day.

Unbeatable Support

Our 24/7 customer support is where we show our passion, ensuring your cycling holiday runs smoothly and your well-being is always our top priority.

Book with Confidence

We are a financially protected company, fully bonded and insured, keeping your money safe and allowing you to travel with confidence.

Local Experts

Our professional cycling guides in select locations know the local terrain and are trained to make this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity both safe and enjoyable.

from 1.570 € /person