Reise
Individual arrival in Tours. Tours is the historic center of Touraine, the much-praised "Garden of France".
The River Cher takes you straight to Villandry Castle with its terraced gardens. Of course, a visit to these famous gardens is a must. Shady walkways, flower-filled arbors, fountains and the artfully laid out vegetable garden will amaze every visitor. A few kilometers further on, you swap the banks of the Chers for those of the Loire, and the next castle beckons: Langeais. One look from the fortified tower (this castle was used exclusively for military purposes), and the river and the entire surrounding countryside lie before you. On the edge of the dark and mysterious forest of Chinon stands Ussé Castle, the Sleeping Beauty Castle. You approach your destination for today, Chinon, via small villages and side roads.
In the morning, leave the medieval town of Chinon and cycle to Candes-St. Martin. Stroll through the alleyways of the village to the highest point on the hill and enjoy the view of the confluence of the Vienne and Loire rivers. Today has another highlight in store for you: the mythical cliff dwellings of Souzey, which you cycle through. Saumur Castle awaits you at today's stage destination, from where you have another beautiful view of the Loire Valley.
From the white city to the black city. Your first cycle stage takes you past large sparkling wine cellars and mushroom farms that were once located in underground quarries. Over gentle hills, you reach some of the most beautiful villages on the Loire: Chénehutte, Cunault and Le Thoureil were once important inland ports where mainly wine and limestone was loaded. The ruins of castles, Romanesque churches and impressive villas of Dutch and English wine merchants bear witness to this period. At St. Mathurin, you cross the Loire and cycle through a varied polder landscape. Your stage destination is Angers, the black city - houses and roofs are built from the slate that is still mined here today. Look forward to a stroll through this beautiful city - it's worth it!
Visit the castle, where the world-famous "Apocalypse of Angers", a monumental series of tapestries from the 14th century, is exhibited in a specially built gallery, before leaving Angers on the Maine, the last major tributary of the Loire before the Atlantic. You follow this river until it flows into the Loire at La Pointe-Bouchemaine. At the foot of a slate-granite massif, the route continues to Savennières, with the oldest church in the region. Some of the greatest wines of the Loire Valley grow here, fruity, dry white wines - a visit to a winegrower is a must. A detour to Béhuard, the only village on an island in the Loire, is not to be missed. Béhuard is located on one of the many islands formed by the Loire. From La Poissonnière, your route takes you over dykes, with beautiful views of the Loire, to the former Loire port of Saint-Florent-le-Vieil. In St-Florent-le-Vieil, high above the old town (next to the church), there is a magnificent viewpoint.
Another change of scenery! Soon the valley narrows noticeably and the Loire finally enters Brittany, forcing its way through slate and granite cliffs to Nantes. The cycle path changes banks several times, with a few small climbs to contend with - but always with beautiful views. Your cycle stage takes you past horticultural farms where lamb's lettuce, carrots and lily of the valley are produced on a large scale. You follow the Loire to the center of Nantes. Although it is still 70 km to the mouth of the Loire into the Atlantic, the influence of the sea can already be felt and seen here with the ebb and flow of the tide.
Use the morning for a short tour of the former port city of Nantes and discover its extensive architectural and cultural heritage. To get to the Atlantic Ocean soon, take the train to the port and shipyard town of Saint-Nazaire. Visit the submarine bunker in Saint Nazaire, which is also accessible by bike. With so many impressions in your luggage, end the trip in the evening by the Atlantic.
An eventful and impressive cycle tour through the unknown valley of the Loire comes to an end today. If you would like to return to Tours, we recommend our return transfer service, which takes you back to your hotel in Tours every Saturday morning by minibus from Saint-Nazaire (reservation required).
Map

Prices/Dates
SERVICES/INFO
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- Overnight stay with breakfast
- room with D/bath/WC
- luggage transport
- Cycling map with marked route
- Digital route guidance via smartphone app
- Tips for trip preparation
- Tourist information
- 7-day hotline service
Below you will find specific information about the Loire Valley Bike Tour. If you have any further questions about this tour, please call us:
Tel: 06421 - 886890.
Arrival by train
Tours can be reached by train.
For current timetables and prices, please visit www.bahn.de
Parking at arrival hotel
In Tours you have the possibility to park your car in a public garage (costs approx. 10,00 € per day). Detailed parking information will be sent to you with your travel documents approximately 3 weeks before your arrival.
Road conditions
The route is mainly on paved and well gravelled cycle paths, with some minor roads through the Loire Valley. There are a few short connecting sections on roads with heavier traffic. The terrain is mostly flat to slightly hilly. A bike tour that guarantees a varied holiday with a normal level of fitness.
Available bikes
You can choose from 7-speed unisex bikes with hub gears and back pedal brakes, or 21-speed unisex or men's bikes with derailleur gears and freewheel, as well as electric bikes (unisex).
Cycling in France
Cyclists in France are required to wear conspicuous clothing. As of October 1, 2008, you must wear a reflective safety vest at night outside built-up areas and on days when visibility is poor. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to 135 euros.
Reflective vest mandatory!
Return to the starting hotel
On Saturday, you have the option of taking a minibus back to Tours in the morning. The driver will come to your hotel and have room for you, your luggage and your private bike if you have one. He will take you back to your starting hotel, ensuring a perfect return service without the hassle of changing buses or lugging suitcases. It is possible to bring your own bikes for an additional fee.
Extra costs not included in the tour price
Tourist tax is not included in the tour price and must be paid at the hotel.
7-day hotline service
If your bicycle chain breaks, floods make it impossible to continue your trip, or other nasty surprises await you: We are available around the clock, including weekends, and will organize help as quickly as possible.
Passport and Visa Requirements
For EU citizens there are no special passport, visa or health requirements for this trip.
Travel insurance
The statutory insolvency insurance is already included in the travel price. In addition, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance after receiving your travel confirmation in order to protect yourself against financial disadvantages in the event of cancellation, curtailment, illness or accident.

I provide you with advice and assistance
Janina Lang