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Loire Valley Biking
- Ride quiet rural roads to visit French architectural landmarks
- Relax at gracious castle-hotels
- Private tastings of local wines
- Renaissance, medieval and classical châteaux
- Experience fascinating French history where it actually unfolded
A Journey Through France's Regal Touraine
Order and elegance shaped the Loire Valley. The castles are graceful - right out of a fairy tale. The manicured gardens are flawless - too perfect to believe. The landscape is idyllic - a rolling symphony of grapevines, fruit trees, fields and rivers. But this isn't the whole story. Those châteaux have moats and imposing towers. Political intrigue is no stranger here. Nor is inspired ingenuity. Names like Joan of Arc. Charles VII. Leonardo da Vinci. Now it's your turn to shape the Loire Valley. Your bike wheels spinning your own tale amid grand fortified estates, pocket-sized villages, sumptuous cuisine and delicious chenin blanc. As orderly and elegant or intriguing and ingenious as you like.
Days 1-2 Ride quiet rural roads to visit French architectural landmarks 
A local vintner introduces us to Chinon wines during a private tasting It's easy to see why waterfront Candes-Saint-Martin is one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France ("France's Most Beautiful Villages") 
Soak up the rich history of Fontevraud's medieval Benedictine abbey before biking a rolling route through the beautiful French countryside.
Day 3 Relax at gracious castle-hotels A leisurely ride leads to Azay-le-Rideau, set on the bank of the Indre River Visit the town's château, considered one of the most magnificent in France.
Day 4 Delve into fascinating French history where it actually unfolded Wander through Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci's last residence, and marvel at models and designs of some of his creations In Amboise, grab an outdoor table and sip a café on Rue Nationale, a prime people-watching spot.
Days 5-6 Renaissance, medieval and classical châteaux At magical Château de Chenonceau, spanning the Cher River, our guide reveals the castle's past as we walk through richly appointed salons and vast galleries Pedal along rolling hills to Château de Nitray, built in the 15th and 16th centuries, where we're treated to a tour and lunch An idyllic route takes you from Château de Chissay to the lively outdoor market in Montrichard.
Guests Reviews About This Trip
I appreciated the real backroads we traveled on and felt each day as if we were moving through postcards. Lovely.- Littleriver, CA
This trip exceeded my expectations! What an amazing group of people, we truly bonded as a group and hope to plan another trip together. Traveling on your own you never know the type of group that will form but I couldn't have asked for a nicer group of people. Backroads was great because it allowed me to just relax, sit back and enjoy the adventure.- Arlington, VA
I never want to take another non-Backroads vacation. I had an absolutley incredible time!- Gainesville, FL
Casual Inns
Hôtel Diderot
Chinon (2 nights) Built in the 15th century, this welcoming family-run hotel is within walking distance of the town center.
Château de la Bourdaisiere
Montlouis-sur-Loire (1 night) King François I built this splendid castle, nestled on 140 acres, for his mistress in the 1500s. (pool, tennis)
Château de Chissay
Chissay-en-Touraine (2 nights) This former royal residence rests in the shade of Château de Chenonceau and is surrounded by a park and forest. (pool)
Alsace & the Black Forest Biking
France's Wine-Rich Valley & Germany's Fabled Woodland
Classic:
Provence Biking
From Cotes du Rhone Vineyards to the Ochre-Kissed Luberon
Classic:
Singles+Solos:
This Trip Is Rated Level 1-4
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Road Bike Average | Mountain Bike Average* | Walk & Hike Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 10-15 miles | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 16-20 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 21-25 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 26-30 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 31+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
*Mountain bikes are used in locations where the best riding is on a combination of dirt and paved roads. View trip locations
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 17 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 15, 31, 45 miles
- 0 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 4 4 Route Options Available
- 18, 23, 31, 46 miles
- 0 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 18, 30, 42 miles
- 0 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 4 4 Route Options Available
- 15, 28, 34, 50 miles
- 0 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 20 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
More Recommended Trips
For 33 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Loire Valley tour experts. See our award-winning Europe France biking tours, Europe France walking and hiking tours and Europe France multisport tours.
