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Chambord and Chenonceau, Loire Jewels From Blois to Tours
offered by supplier M09630 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 6
day(s)
Group Size: 1
- 20
people
Destination(s):
France
Specialty Categories:
Bicycle Touring
Season: January - December
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 660 Euro (EUR)
Maximum Per Person Price: 660 Euro (EUR)
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Imagine a château with more than 440 rooms and 365 fireplaces occupying grounds the size of Paris! Welcome to Chambord, the "Jewel in the Crown of the Loire", an awe-inspiring castle situated on the river and surrounded by a vast natural expanse of green.
Chambord is the most impressive of all the Châteaux of the Loire, yet just one of the many you will encounter on your route in the Loire River valley. It's the perfect setting for a leisurely bicycle tour, pleasurable for adults and families as well. Other notable castles on the trip include Château de Clos Lucé, the last home of Leonardo da Vinci, and Château de Chenonceau, the lovely 'Castle of Ladies' spanning the River Cher.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Blois
Arrive in Blois at the time of your choice. The earlier you arrive the more time you'll have to enjoy the Renaissance town of Blois and its Royal castle. Later in the afternoon you'll meet with our local representative, who will brief you about your tour, or in this case, give you the pedal-by-pedal details. Overnight in Blois.
Day 2: Blois - Blois (Approx. 50 km or 31 miles)
After breakfast you'll head east to discover one of the major highlights of the trip: the magnificent Château de Chambord, a mere "hunting lodge" with no less than 440 rooms! On your way back to Blois, you can take in some smaller-scale castles, such as Villesavin and Beauregard. Though we strongly recommend certain places of interest and beauty that contribute to the magic of the region, as a self-guided rider, you enjoy complete autonomy in deciding which sites to marvel at and how long to linger. Overnight in Blois.
Day 3: Blois - Amboise (55 km or 35 miles)
The Loire River will be your guide for most of the day! Starting on the north side of the river, you'll follow quiet roads through the peaceful wooded land of the Forêt de Blois, before crossing the Loire River to reach Chaumont-sur-Loire and its magnificent château, a perfect lunch stop, before proceeding on to Amboise. An early arrival in Amboise gives you the opportunity to visit its châteaux, especially the fascinating Clos Lucé, the castle where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last three years of his life. Now a museum, Château Clos Lucé, allows you to enter the captivating world of Leonardo and catch a glimpse into his alluring world of ideas and contraptions, which came into being centuries after his conceptions…some say those ideas included our dear bicycle, but that is open to much debate! Overnight in Amboise.
Day 4: Canoe day between Chaumont and Amboise - Ride: Amboise - Chenonceaux (12 km)
We've kept today's mileage to a minimum, permitting you the luxury of sleeping in, if you so desire, or allowing time to visit the town of Amboise. You can even go canoeing on the Loire River between Chaumont and Amboise. The afternoon ride takes you by the Pagode de Chanteloup, a seemingly displaced Asian pagoda in this land of Renaissance castles, which is actually the remnant of an 18th Century Château. Riding through the Forêt d'Amboise, you'll reach Chenonceaux where you'll overnight.
Day 5: Chenonceaux - Tours (35 km or 22 miles)
Today's highlight includes the not-to-be-missed Château de Chenonceau, a 15th Century castle that bridges the River Cher. As the route continues, you will pass by some more châteaux, including the 16th Century Château de Nitray, and then continue along the river, heading towards the wine-making area of Montlouis. You'll eventually make it to Tours where you will overnight.
Day 6: Departure
After breakfast, depart Tours at the time of your choice.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Pricing: This package has been priced at 660 euros per person in double occupancy. Single supplement is 240 euros.
This price includes:
5 night-accommodations in 2- and 3-star properties
Daily breakfast
3 dinners (drinks are not included)
Meeting with our local representative on Day 1
Marked maps and/or cue sheets
Luggage transfers
Canoe trip on Day 4
Assistance if necessary
All tax and service charges
This price does not include:
Lunches
Drinks
Travel insurance
Bicycle rentals. Hybrid bikes are available at the price of 85 euros per bike.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
France
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Bicycle Touring
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, ext: 09630
