DESTINATION ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
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Loire Valley Family Bike Tour - Teens & Kids
Storied Landscapes & Magical Castles
It has all the makings of a fairy tale. Storybook castles. Towers, flying buttresses and flawless gardens. Fertile fields, graceful rivers and idyllic cycling routes on dedicated bike paths. Exquisite treats at patisseries and gourmet meals. The Loire Valley—a family getaway that ends with "happily ever after."
THIS ITINERARY: 6 days, 5 nights
ACCOMMODATIONS: Premiere Hotels
France
Start/End St-Pierre-des-Corps
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
- Pedal tranquil family-friendly bike routes connecting unforgettable castles and magnificent old-world landscapes
- Walk in the footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci and check out some of the inspirations for his technological innovations
- Explore medieval, Renaissance and classical châteaux and get a taste of royal treatment at gracious castle-hotels
- Ride on horseback along the Loire River, learn how to fence and make chocolate with the experts (Just for kids)
6 Days Premiere Hotels
Ride family-friendly bike routes past enchanting villages and serene woodland | Admire Château de Chambord, the region’s largest castle and a remarkable display of French Renaissance architecture | Bike forested back roads and vineyard-covered hills | Take in unparalleled views of Chambord’s towers and steeples from our palatial hotel.
Newly renovated with elegant modern design and luxurious amenities, this spectacular farmhouse-turned-hotel is adjacent to the decadent UNESCO-protected Chambord Castle. A Small Luxury Hotels of the World member. (spa)
Venture by bike to Cheverny, the castle that inspired Hergé’s rendition in The Adventures of Tintin | Kids hop in the saddle for a horseback-riding adventure | Visit Leonardo da Vinci’s home, Clos Lucé, where you’ll marvel at the models and designs of his famous creations | Kids get a tasty lesson in chocolate making at a family-owned chocolaterie | Wander in the lively town of Amboise and sip a post-ride chocolat chaud or an aperitif as the sun sets on the Loire | Relax poolside at our hotel, an ivy-covered manor.
A turreted castle nestled amid trees on a terraced slope overlooking the Loire River. (pool)
Explore magical Château de Chenonceau, with its richly appointed interiors and dazzling artwork | En garde! Youngsters wield épées with a world-class fencing master before a special medieval-themed dinner just for them | Adults take a leisurely afternoon ride from one lovely village to the next before returning to our grand château-hotel | Discover the rolling pastures and goat farms behind the Loire’s famous fromage de chèvre | A peaceful bike route through vineyards and villages leads to Château de Villandry and its extraordinary gardens | Say au revoir to the Loire after one last morning spin as you take in views of the valley from our hotel’s expansive terrace.
We're welcomed by the gracious Olivereau family at this charming 19th-century château with gorgeous countryside views. (pool)
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy.
Activity Level: 1-4
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
Route notes
On this Family Trip, our routes follow gentle rolling terrain. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary and mileage is moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.
Daily Route Options
What's Included
Available Bike Options
The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Read on for your available bike options for this trip.
This custom-designed titanium bike is lightweight and responsive, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting, 11-speed compact gearing, a premium Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset and a full carbon fork.
A proven classic, our most popular custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.
Our newly redesigned titanium e-bike is a lightweight yet powerful machine unique in the world of e-bikes. It provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Ride like a pro with the top-of-the-line carbon Cannondale Synapse Hi-Mod Red ETAP AXS. Delivering phenomenal acceleration and handling in a light and powerful package—it’s built for hard-core riders.
$400 rental fee
This hand-built frame features Co-Motion's custom-designed cro-moly steel tubeset, powerful Avid disc brakes, Shimano Ultegra drive train, and a custom, upgraded wheelset. For experienced tandem riders.
$400 rental fee
Backroads is the only travel company to manufacture its own line of kid's bikes. While the wheels might be small, the performance is big—it's the perfect choice for kids. On our Family Trips, you'll find 20" and 24" bikes.
The Burley Kazoo trailer bike, for children up to 85 pounds, attaches to an adult bike with your child providing some of the pedal power for a real team effort! It's ideal for kids who aren't yet ready for bike touring.
Also Included
- All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Straight talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
On many nights, the gourmet restaurants where we dine offer specially prepared limited or fixed menus featuring a delicious selection of authentic regional cuisine.
In French, 'castles' translates to 'châteaux' and throughout the country there are many châteaux that embody the extravagance of French nobility f...
