Loire East - the Valley of the Kings of France

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7

Day 1

Photo call in the grounds of our château hotel

Transfers are from Tours Airport and Tours TGV Station (Saint-Pierre-des-Corps). We arrive at our charming hotel in the market town of Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine, and, pausing to take a glass of the local Vouvray sparkling wine, have a look at the bikes and make sure everyone is perfectly fitted to their bicycle. Early arrivals will be provided with a map and route to cycle along deserted lanes to visit the village of St-Epain with its 11th Century church. There should be time before dinner to relax in the gardens of the hotel before meeting our fellow riders and look forward to the pleasures of the road ahead over the first of many wonderful meals.

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Day 2

Loches

The tour starts in earnest as we leave Sainte-Maure past the medieval wooden laverie or washhouse where in times past the whole village would do its laundry. Passing the majestic renaissance Chateau de Grillemont (stopping to take pictures) we arrive for lunch in the charming village of Ligeuil where we should be in time to catch the Monday morning market.

Suitably fortified, we carry on through gently rolling country side to our overnight stop in Loches - this fortified town has well preserved battlements overlooking the river, and is a lively and picturesque place for a stroll and a beer before a well deserved dinner.

Total distance: 49km

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Day 3

Château de Chenonceau

Leaving Loches through medieval hunting forests, we pass one of the 'pyramids' built for hunting parties to meet during the 18th century. Following traffic free roads and forest trails, stopping for refreshments in the village of Montrésor, dominated by its 14th C castle, and riding past the impressive Château de Montpoupon we come to Chenonceaux for lunch.

One of the highlights of the tour, the stunning Château de Chenonceau was given by Henri II of France to his mistress Diane de Poitiers. With its graceful arches spanning the river Cher, it is the most visited château of the Loire, and it is truly unforgettable. We stay in Chenonceaux, allowing plenty of time for exploring the château and maybe taking a rowing boat out onto the River Cher for a different view.

Total distance: 48km

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Day 4

Leonardo da Vinci

Leaving Chenonceaux we continue northward back to the Loire. On our way into Amboise, we stop off to visit Clos-Lucé, the home of Leonardo da Vinci. As well as drawings and designs, this fascinating museum includes several life-size reconstructions of what these sketches would be like had they been made. Amboise itself clusters around a stunning medieval château overlooking the river.

Leaving Clos-Lucé we head across the rich and fertile heartlands of the 'Jardin de France' and passing the ancient abbey at Pontlevoy, come to our hotel for the next two nights in the village of Ouchamps. The wonderful hotel has extensive grounds for a pre dinner stroll ( and maybe feed the ducks and swans on the moat that runs around the 15th Century building!)

Total distance: 52km

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Day 5

Cheverney

We visit two châteaux today; the first, Cheverney has truly impressive interiors with period furniture, tapestries and paintings all intact. A feature of the château is the pack of hunting dogs still kept there - a highlight of the visit is watching the feeding of the hounds. For fans of the "Tintin" childrens' adventure books Cheverney was the inspiration for Captain Haddock's castle, and a museum there is dedicated to the characters.

The second château is also the largest and possibly the most impressive — Chambord. Taking 15 years to build in the 16th Century, it is surrounded by a vast hunting park alive with wildlife. The interior is just as impressive, dominated by the 'double helix' staircase on which two people can ascend and descend at the same time, yet never meet. Most of the day is spent on the well maintained forest trails of the royal hunting parks. We return to Ouchamps, maybe taking a dip in the pool to wash off the dust of the trail, or exploring the village before dinner.

Total distance: 56km

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Day 6

The road back along the Loire takes us to the Château de Chaumont - on the death of Henri II, Diane de Poitiers was forced by his widow to take this château in exchange for her beloved Chenonceau - see who you think got the best deal!

If you fancy a change from medieval brickwork, Chaumont is also host every summer to an internationally renowned Garden Festival where areas of the grounds are laid out in different themes — the inventiveness knows no bounds.

After a picnic lunch (weather permitting!) on the banks of the Loire we head westwards on the north side of the river. A spot of wine tasting at a winery of the Touraine-Mesland appellation is followed by the last stretch of the tour through wheatfields and sunflowers back to Amboise and our hotel.

We will have a chance to visit the majestic chateau, or maybe sit down for a coffee and pastry at one of the many cafes in the pedestrianised centre.

The day ends with a fantastic celebratory meal in the medieval centre of the town.

Total distance: 47km

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Day 7

After breakfast, a chance for some last minute shopping for presents and souvenirs, before we say goodbye to new friends made and transfer back to Tours for onward journeys.

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The Loire tours overview

The Loire West tour

Overview of our tours