B04-COMFORT chateaus from Tours to Angers – Cycling holidays in Loire valley

Self-guided cycling tour (9 days & 8 nights) with accommodation in 3 or 4-star hotels and 3 gourmet dinners.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival at Tours

Tours is a town of art and history. This ancient Gallo-Roman capital became Saint Martin’s town during the IV century when the inhabitants begged him to be their bishop. A great builder, Saint Martin covered the Touraine grounds with churches and chapels. He also required the erection of the Marmoutier monastery on the North river bank of the Loire. During the V century, a basilica was erected above Saint Martin’s tomb. Today, only two towers remain:  the Charlemagne Tower and the Clock Tower. During the XV and XVI centuries, Tours became the capital of the French Kingdom. It enjoyed a true blossoming of art and architecture. It is the perfect place to stroll along alleys and small parks, around the Place Plumereau bordered by beautiful wooden houses, or in the cathedral district, which has begun construction in the XIII century and was not finished before the XVI century. You may visit the cloister Psalette which is located right next to it and the castle whose tower Tour de Guise is the only remains from the XIII century. Tours possesses beautiful museum: the Beaux Arts museum located in the ancient bishop or the archeological museum of Touraine region located in the beautiful Hôtel Gouin – true masterpiece from the Renaissance era. Bicycles delivery and adjustment at the hotel at 6:00 pm or in the next morning – Lodging and breakfast in a 3-star hotel in Tours center

Day 2 –Villandry and Azay le Rideau chateaux

30 or 38 km ride (18 or 24 miles) –  You will leave Tours by the riverbanks, first the Loire river’s then the Cher’s, in order to reach Villandry passing by Savonnière’s quaint little village. Villandry was erected around 1536 and is the last of the big castles built on the Loire riverbanks during the Renaissance era. The magnificent gardens of the Chateau de Villandry, reminder of the spirit of the gardens of the Renaissance, were restored at the beginning of the 20th Century by Dr. J. Carvallo, the owner since 1906. Trough countryside or following the Cher and Loire river’s banks you will go to Azay le Rideau. Built on an island in the middle of the Indre River, the Azay-Le-Rideau castle was erected during François I’s reign by a rich financier. It is one of the dwellings combining French castle charm to the Italian palaces’ grace. The monumental staircase – which concentrates most of this rich décor – is the prestige centerpiece of this architecture. Rich person tapestries and pieces of furniture of XVI, XVII and XVIII centuries decorate the apartments of the castle. To the South and West, two ponds are laid out, reflecting facades. Dinner, lodging and breakfast in a charming 3-star hotel in the centre of Azay

Day 3 – Chateaux of Langeais, Ussé and Chinon.

42 km/26 miles ride – You will cross orchards for several kilometers to reach the Loire River. You will cross an unusual bridge over the Loire in order to reach Langeais, one of the oldest towns in the Touraine region, which is overlooked by its imposing castle. The later was built at the request of Louis XI, on the site of an ancient fortress which was destroyed during the ‘Hundred Years War’ and which the square donjon is the only remains. Nowadays, the castle is home to a beautiful Renaissance style furniture collection retracing the seigniorial life of the XV century and Renaissance era. Then you will follow Loire River’s banks to come across Ussé where you may visit Sleeping Beauty’s castle since it is said to have inspired Charles Perrault.

Located on the edge of the Chinon forest, overlooking the Loire and Indre valleys, this castle seduces with its many roofs, small steeples, dormers and fire places which detach it from its green surroundings. The opened part of the castle is home to beautiful furniture as well as Flemish tapestries. The chapel, isolated in the park, is a perfect example of Renaissance style buildings. Magnificent gardens overlook the Indre valley. You will go to Chinon through forests and vineyards. Lodging and breakfast in a 3-star hotel in Chinon.

Day 4 – Chinon, its vineyards and Le Rivau chateau

20 or 40 km circular ride – Let the day start by a quaint visit of Chinon, an ancient medieval city that is home to numerous remains from its rich past. Located atop a hillside overlooking the Vienne River, the castle spreads over 400 meters. True illustration of the Military art of the Middle Age, it is the product of additions and modifications spreading from the X to the XV century. This historical city has held on to ancient houses and few churches, which you may discover while strolling though its alleys. Then you will leave this medieval city to discover Chinon vineyards and old and picturesque villages as Cravant les Coteaux or Panzoult. You will cross Vienne River at l’Ile Bouchard, a former river port. You will go through countryside to the medieval castle of Le Rivau, an historically significant 15th century château, completed with moats, draw bridges, and dramatic fortifications. At the end of the 20th century, Le Rivau, after a ten-year restoration campaign once again found its original splendor, and seems once again to have come from the pages of a book of fairy tales and legends. Back to Chinon – Lodging and breakfast in the same 3-star hotel in Chinon.

Day 5 – Royal abbey of Fontevraud, Candes St Martin and chateau of Montsoreau

35 km/22 miles ride – You will leave Chinon crossing the Vienne River. The first stop will be to visit La Deviniére, a 14th century house where Rabelais was born. You will continue to cycle through countryside and forests to reach Fontevraud and the famous abbey. It is among the vastest monastic ensembles of the Christian world. Founded in 1101 by Robert of Arbrissel, it quickly became famous by welcoming religious communities from different horizons, which, were placed under the authority of an abbess. Each community had its own covenant. The Abbey enjoyed the patronage of great protectors such as the Duke of Anjou and his descendants the Plantagenet, kings of England. The abbey houses the remains of Henri II, Alienor of Aquitaine and their son Richard the Lion Hearted. The French Revolution terminated the order in 1792 and part of the buildings was transformed into prisons until 1963. Since then, the site has been undergoing major restructuration work. You may visit the abbey, cloisters of Saint Mary and Saint Benoit, the dining hall as well as the kitchens (magnificent building).  After this discovery tour you will cycle down through vineyards to Candes Saint Martin, a quaint village at the crossing point of Vienne and Loire River. There you may see a magnificent church dating from the XII and XIII centuries, built on the spot where Saint Martin passed away. You will then continue you stroll along the riverbank to admire the Montsoreau castle, an ancient stronghold built on the Loire riverbanks and modified during the XV century – Dinner, lodging and breakfast in a charming 3-star hotel in Fontevraud.

Day 6 – Cave dwelling villages, Brézé and Montreuil-Bellay chateaux

45 km/ 28 miles ride – the day starts with the discovery of typical villages wedged between Loire river and cliffs which housed some cave dwellings and numerous wine cellars. Through countryside you will bike to an out of the ordinary castle which holds many surprises:  the Castle of Brézé. Surrounded by 13 meter large and 18 meter deep ditches, this fortified castle has been modified for centuries to become this elegant mansion which can be partially visited (great gallery, bedrooms, kitchens…) But this castle holds another secret: an underground fortress, dug into the freestone underneath the castle. You may travel through the mile long passage to uncover an amazing world!  But the amazement and surprise do not end here!  The ditch was haven to the villagers during the XVI century and homes were carved in the tender rock. You will discover a whole village with its baker, a silk farm since silk worms were raised, as well as magnificent wine presses and caves. You will then reach Montreuil Bellay, quaint little town surrounded by fortifications – which is still standing for the most part – bordering the Thouet River. There you may visit the lofty fortified castle built during the XI century:  650-meter long fortifications and 13 towers demonstrate the powerful defensiveness of this site!  Later on, during the Renaissance era, its owners ordered the building of the ‘new castle’, an elegant mansion combining comfort with the Italian palaces style. You will cycle to Saumur late afternoon through the pleasant Thouet River – Lodging and breakfast in a 4-star hotel in Saumur

Day 7 – Saumur, Cunault and Loire banks

18km/ 12 miles ride – Let the day start by a visit of Saumur, famous for its cavalry school and its wines. The Duke of Anjou ordered the building of a pleasure dwelling during the XIV century, based on a XIII century fortress. With its large windows, its Fleur de Lys ornate crenels, its main staircase with finely worked bays, the castle of Saumur is one of the rare standing examples of the civil princely architecture from late Middle Age. You may stroll down the ancient district between the castle and the bridge, along quaint alleys bordered by ancient houses before leaving the city. You will make a stop in one of many wine cellars along the route in order to have a taste of that frothy wine made according to the methods of the Champagne region.  You will then follow the Loire River’s banks and will discover a rich heritage, Notre Dame des Tuffeaux at Chenehutte, St Aubin church at Treves and the imposing Cunault church, an Anjou Romanesque master piece and a major pilgrimage place in Middle Ages. You will see an outstanding panorama of the Loire valley from the top of the Treves tower, last remains of a 15th century fortress – Dinner, lodging and breakfast in a charming guest house in Gennes sur Loire

Day 8 – Chateau of Brissac and Angers                                    

42 km/26 miles ride – through countryside you cycle to Brissac-Quincé. This castle will surprise you by its height, sitting enthroned in the middle of a beautiful park, enjoying the shadow of magnificent cedars. Known as the tallest

castle of France, Brissac with its seven stores and 204 rooms is named as The Giant of the Loire Valley. Let yourself enjoy the richness of its furniture and tapestries, and a lovely private opera house. The visit leads you to the wine cellars of the castle where the various wines of the property may be tasted. Then you will cycle to Angers in Aubance valley through delightful and bucolic countryside discovering minor chateaux, windmills churches and beautiful viewpoints. Angers spreads on both side of the Maine River and holds a very rich architectural patrimony. May we suggest you visit the castle and its famousApocalypse Hanging– masterpiece of the end of XIV century style tapestry, the cathedral with its beautiful stained glass windows dating from the XII, XIII and XV centuries. Return of cycles at 6:00 pm at the hotel. Lodging and breakfast in a 4-star hotel in Angers

Day 9 – Angers – end of the tour after breakfast

Season

From beginning of April to End of October. You start the tour the day you want

What’s included

• 8 night accommodations in 3 or 4-star hotels with breakfast
• 3 gourmet dinners
• Rental of fully-equipped hybrid bike including helmet, pannier, lock, puncture repair kit, map wallet and a theft/accidental damage insurance
• transfer of luggage between hotels and guest houses
• Road book including cycling itineraries, detailed maps, information about sites to see, wineries and restaurants on route and Green Michelin tourist guide about Loire valley
• Bilingual emergency phone call support 7 days a week

Visa fees – transportation fees to and from the cycling tour area – Travel and bike liability insurance (strongly recommended on all trips) – Transfers except those mentioned above – Drinks – Additional meals – Spending of personal nature e.g. laundry, souvenirs, phone calls,…are not included

Tour difficulty

No major difficulty. This tour is for everybody in good health. Rolling countryside with occasional hills or short ascents with low elevation gain (in vineyards for example) you cycle quiet country roads or sometimes gravel tracks that link chateaux and towns.

Getting there and away

By road: You easily reach Tours which is located at the junction of A10, A85 and A28 motorways

By train: Direct trains from Paris-Austerlitz to Tours (about 2 hours journey) or by TGV from Paris Montparnasse to St Pierre des Corps (4Km from Tours) or Tours. TGV between Angers and Paris Montparnasse rail station

Where park your car: Toll guarded car park in Tours. Back from Angers to Tours by train