On arrival in Orléans make your way to your first hotel. After check-in you are free to explore this historic city, surrounded by the countryside of the Beauce and the Sologne forests.

We recommend a visit to the house of Joan of Arc who liberated the town in medieval times. The St. Croix Cathedral and lavish City Hall are also worth visiting.

Your first day’s ride breaks you in gently with an easy cycle along the banks of the peaceful Loire River. It’s a relatively short stage so there is plenty of time to stop and admire the Château de Meung-sur-Loire, once the country residence of the Bishops of Orléans. Continue along quiet lanes and cycle paths to the charming old town of Beaugency where you will spend the night.

Our Châteaux Visit package supplement includes entry to Château de Meung-sur-Loire.

Leave Beaugency heading south on a lovely cycle path beside the river. After a while you detour away from the river to visit the sensational Château de Chambord the largest and probably the most impressive Château in the Loire Valley. From there it’s a short ride to the medieval city of Blois on the banks of the Loire River where you will spend the night.

Our Châteaux Visit package supplement includes entry to Château Chambord and gardens

More idyllic riverside riding today, half on cycle paths and half on quiet roads. Just past the midway point you will see the impressive Chateau of Chaumont standing guard over the river. Today’s destination is the riverside town of Amboise. After checking in to your hotel take a stroll through this charming little place. Be sure to visit the Royal Castle as well as the house where Leonardo da Vinci spent his final days.

Our Châteaux Visit package supplement includes entry to Château Chaumont and the Leonardo Da Vinci Park in Amboise

You’ll be riding through the Montlouis vineyards today, known for their fine whites and sparkling wines. Perhaps stop off at a cellar to sample and buy a bottle before continuing on to the city of Tours. You can also opt for a longer ride by cycling south to visit the stunningly beautiful Château Chenonceaux straddling the Cher river. Afterwards you follow the brand new Cher cycle path to Montlouis and then on to Tours.

After checking in to your hotel in Tours take a stroll through the atmospheric streets of the old town to ‘Place Plumereau’, a lovely old square graced with fine old half-timbered town houses.

After breakfast it’s time to check out and head for home or your next adventure.