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.
Trip Highlights
- 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
Casual Inns
Hôtel Diderot (2 nights): Built in the 15th century, this welcoming family-run hotel is within walking distance of the town center.
Château de la Bourdaisiere (1 night): King François I built this splendid castle, nestled on 140 acres, for his mistress in the 1500s. (pool, tennis)
Château de Chissay (2 nights): This former royal residence rests in the shade of Château de Chenonceau and is surrounded by a park and forest. (pool)
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
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 | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 mile | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
2012 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 5/13-18Price: $3398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $800 for sgl. occ.)
- 5/27-6/1Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $800 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/10-15Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $800 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/17-22Price: $3398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $800 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/24-29Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $800 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel variation: On Days 1-2 we stay at Hotel le Plantagenet in Chinon. - 7/1-6Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $800 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/8-13Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $800 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/22-27Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $800 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/5-10Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $800 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/19-24Price: $3298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $800 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/9-14Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $800 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/16-21Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $800 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel variation: On Days 1-2 we stay at Hotel le Plantagenet in Chinon. - 9/23-28Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $800 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/7-12Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $800 for sgl. occ.)
SINGLES+SOLOS TRIPS
- 5/6-11Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $800 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel variation: On Days 1-2 we stay at Hotel le Plantagenet in Chinon. - 6/3-8Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $800 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel variation: On Days 1-2 we stay at Hotel le Plantagenet in Chinon. - 6/26-7/1Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $900 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
For this departure, we are staying the last 2 nights at Le Choiseul in Amboise (a Premiere property) instead of Chateau de Chissay. - 7/31-8/5Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $800 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel variation: On Days 1-2 we stay at Hotel le Plantagenet in Chinon. - 9/4-9Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $800 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel variation: On Days 1-2 we stay at Hotel le Plantagenet in Chinon. - 10/2-7Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $800 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel variation: On Days 1-2 we stay at Hotel le Plantagenet in Chinon.
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
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
Everything from when we were picked up at the train station in the van at Tours, to our departure from our last chateau, after farewell lunch, was fantastic. Our leader is a real gem! She was professional, energetic, creative, not overbearing, very pleasant, extremely helpful with the local culture, helpful with deciding on options for itinerary for the day, encouraging, always available, and just fun to be with, etc. For example, she was able to do things such as get the Prince (owner of the Chateau de la Bourdaisiere) to come down and chat with us after dinner. The accommodations were wonderful and food to die for. She took care of all of our needs and then some. Of course it did not hurt that we had such wonderful weather. We are already thinking about our next trip, possibly Provence.- Springfield, VA
I have been on four bike trips and the Loire Valley takes top priority, especially in the beautiful countryside. I felt like I was riding through the quintessential France.- San Francisco, CA
We very much enjoyed the venue, leadership and flexibility of the trip.- Boston, MA