What to see in the Loire Valley

Each summer, the Tour de France races across the country, giving a select group of very talented cyclists a chance to see the country from a blurry perspective. On this cycling tour of the Loire Valley, knowing the difference between a front derailleur and a rear dropout isn't necessary. Hop on a bike and experience ornate châteaux, rustic markets, vineyards, and rural Gallic charm. Think of this as the perfect combination of slow food, fine wines, and remote country tracks – ideal for seeing the inspiring scenery.

What's Included

• Hands-On: Vineyard Visit and Tasting
• All cycling equipment including bicycle
• Luggage transfer between locations
• Cycling through the Loire Valley (6 days)
• Entry to Château de Chenonceau and visit to the troglodyte caves
• Market stop for local ingredients and picnic lunch (Tours)
• Lumière Museum visit
• Transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Hotels (7 nts)

Meals

7 breakfasts, 1 lunch 
Allow USD295-385 for meals not included.

Transportation

Train, bicycle.

Staff & experts

Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout.

Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: Active

Hiking, trekking, biking, rafting, and kayaking adventures all over the world, made for outdoor types.

Service Level: Standard

Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.

Physical Rating: 4 - Demanding

Some high-altitude hikes or more strenuous activities, but accessible to most healthy travellers.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 12, Avg 10

Age requirement: 12+

All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

8 days: Blois to Angers

From $1274

Day 1 - Blois

Arrive at any time.

Day 2 - Blois/Chenonceaux

Enjoy a full day of cycling from Blois to Chenonceau with the opportunity to visit the Chateau de Blois.

Meals included:

 Breakfast

Day 3 - Chenonceaux/Tours

Continue cycling with stops along the way at Château de Chenonceau and the local markets to pick up some traditional ingredients for a french style picnic lunch.

Meals included:

 Breakfast | Lunch

Day 4 - Tours/Chinon

Set off for another full-day cycling from Tours to Chinon. Stop to visit the Chateau Usse en route. Upon arrival visit a local vineyard for a wine tasting.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Hands-On Vineyard Visit and Tasting

Meals included:

 Breakfast

Day 5 - Chinon/Saumur

Wake up in medieval Chinon, visit troglodyte caves and cycle to Saumur.

Meals included:

 Breakfast

Day 6 - Saumur/Gennes

In the afternoon cycle through some of the Loire's tiny villages on the way to Gennes. Stop for a visit to the Pierre et Lumiére museum.

Meals included:

 Breakfast

Day 7 - Gennes/Angers

On the final day of cycling, travel from Gennes to Angers. In the evening opt for a final tradition french dinner with the group.

Meals included:

 Breakfast

Day 8 - Angers

Depart at any time.

Meals included:

 Breakfast

Choose a sunrise or sunset balloon flight, then hop into your 4x4 vehicle at your Amboise hotel for the journey to the launch site. On arrival, watch your balloon being inflated and listen to a safety briefing from your pilot. With your balloon ready for flight, jump into your basket and take to the skies!

During your 3-hour flight, watch the sun rise or set over the forests, lakes, rivers, and towns of the Loire Valley. Capture bird’s eye views of the vineyards and orchards, and listen as your pilot points out famous landmarks such as the castles of Amboise, Chenonceau, or Villandry.

Enjoy a smooth touchdown, then toast your flight with a glass of bubbling Champagne or sparkling grape juice. Receive your flight certificate, then return in comfort to your hotel to conclude your tour.

Located in the Loire Valley in the Touraine region, this medieval castle and its gardens have been lovingly restored by its present owners. The visit includes the interior of the château and the gardens. Inside Château du Rivau you will discover period furniture, contemporary art works by celebrated artists or hunting trophies. In addition, the state of the art sound installation system brings the château to life and turns the visit into a magical experience. The award-winning gardens are an evocation of fairytale and each of them is inspired by a medieval legend. As you walk around the 14 Rivau gardens, you will go from surprise to surprise and discover unique associations of plants. Prepare yourself to be amazed by this secret gem.

You may tailor your visit to the château and spend as little or as a long time as you wish. Some visitors stay a couple of hours, others stay all day. You will be given a leaflet in your choice of French, English, German, Italian, Spanish, Flemish, Japanese or Russian. The visit also includes an audio-guide available in English, French, German, Flemish, Italian, Spanish and Chinese for adults. Children will be given a 16 page educational booklet (1 per family). As they explore the gardens of the fairytale castle, children – with a little help from their parents – will be able to answer questions related to the visit, and discover the magic wand left by the fairy of the castle!

There is even a restaurant onsite offering delicious dishes made mainly using produce from the château's own garden plus local suppliers. You may choose to bring your own picnic or eat in the restaurant (at own expense).

Prepare yourself to be amazed by this secret gem of the Loire Valley. This medieval castle and its gardens have been lovingly restored by its present owners. Your visit includes the interior of the Château and the gardens and a wine tasting of the owners’ wines.

Inside the castle you will discover period furniture, contemporary art works by celebrated artists or hunting trophies... In addition, the state of the art sound installation system brings the château to life and turns the visit into a magical experience.

The award-winning gardens are an evocation of fairytale and each of them is inspired by a medieval legend. As you walk around the 14 Rivau gardens, you will go from surprise to surprise and discover unique associations of plants.

• You can tailor the visit and spend as little or as a long time as you wish. Some visitors stay a couple of hours and others stay all day.
• Please note that the wine tastings are available between 12pm and 3.30pm.
• The visit is entirely self-guided and you will find panels in the gardens and the castle in French and English.
• You will be given a leaflet in your choice of French, English, German, Italian, Spanish, Flemish, Japanese or Russian.
• You can book a visit with audioguide. The audio-guide is available in English, French German, Flemish, Italian, Spanish and Chinese for adults. There is a special version for children in French and English.
• Meals: you can bring your own picnic or eat in our restaurant (open from March 26th - September 30th, October 3rd to October 7th and October 19th - November 2nd from 12am to 3pm. Last order: 2.30pm). Our restaurant offers delicious dishes mainly made with produce from our own garden and local suppliers.
• The Rivau is located in the Loire Valley in the Touraine region. It is accessible by train (train station Chinon), by plane (Tours airport) or by TGV (train station St Pierre des Corps) and by car. The Rivau is 2h30 from Paris by TGV.
• To get to the chateau du Rivau by car from Tours, take the A10 direction Poitiers and take exit 25 (St Maure de Touraine), follow the direction Chinon and the pannels chateau du Rivau.
• Free parking.
• Dogs on a leash are welcome.

Prepare yourself to be amazed by this secret gem of the Loire Valley. This medieval castle and its gardens have been lovingly restored by its present owners. Your visit includes the interior of the Château and the gardens as well as a delicious lunch made mainly with produce from the Chateau’s gardens. You have the option of a wine tasting (18 year olds + only) of the owners’ wines.

Inside the castle you will discover period furniture, contemporary art works by celebrated artists or hunting trophies... In addition, the state of the art sound installation system brings the château to life and turns the visit into a magical experience.

The award-winning gardens are an evocation of fairytale and each of them is inspired by a medieval legend. 

• You can tailor the visit and spend as little or as a long time as you wish. Some visitors stay a couple of hours and others stay all day.
• Please note that the wine tastings and lunch options are available between 12pm and 3.30pm.
• The visit is entirely self-guided and you will find panels in the gardens and the castle in French and English.
• You will be given a leaflet in your choice of French, English, German, Italian, Spanish, Flemish, Japanese or Russian.
• You can book a visit with audioguide. The audio-guide is available in English, French German, Flemish, Italian, Spanish and Chinese for adults. There is a special version for children in French and English.
• Children: a 16 page educational booklet (1 per family) will be given to children as they enter Château du Rivau. As they explore the gardens of the fairytale castle, children – with a little help from their parents – will be able to answer questions related to the visit... and discover the magic wand left by the fairy of the castle!
• The Rivau is located in the Loire Valley in the Touraine region. It is accessible by train (train station Chinon), by plane (Tours airport) or by TGV (train station St Pierre des Corps) and by car. The Rivau is 2h30 from Paris by TGV.
• To get to the chateau du Rivau by car from Tours, take the A10 direction Poitiers and take exit 25 (St Maure de Touraine), follow the direction Chinon and the pannels chateau du Rivau.
• Free parking.
• Dogs on a leash are welcome.