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Luxury Escape in Chateau Country

From: $3,820 USD

8 Days / 7 Nights
Type: Self-Guided
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Imagine Yourself…

  • Being charmed by a Renaissance chateau set amongst water and greenery
  • Passing vineyards and villages as you cycle along the beautiful Indre River
  • Relaxing with a sweet wine in your countryside chateau-hotel
  • Walking the same hallways as Leonardo da Vinci in his former homer, Manoir du Close Lucé
  • Strolling through the well-kept gardens and grounds of beautiful chateaux

Overview

Luxury Escape in Chateau Country - Van Gogh Tours - Self Guided - Loire ValleyDiscover the incredible “Garden of France” as you cycle at your own pace. You can stop to admire the stately elegance of centuries-old chateaux or visit a museum, church, or wine cave, always assured that your charming room and a delicious meal are waiting for you at the end of the day. Cycle through the scenic vineyards and fragrant forests south of Tours and visit the incomparable Chateau Chenonceau, the Chateau Chambord (best furnished of all the castles), charming Domaine Chaumont-sur-Loire, and the impressive Chateau de Cheverny. Your luggage will be transported each day from hotel to hotel. Accommodations are in elegant five-star chateaux and manors. The food is sumptuous and elegantly served.

Daily Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrive in Amboise

    You’ll start your tour in the charming city of Amboise, where you can visit the Chateau d’ Amboise with its breathtaking views over the Loire, or Clos Lucé, the former home of Leonardo da Vinci converted into a museum. Amboise is easily accessible from Paris by train. Your bike will be waiting for you at the hotel on the day you arrive or by 9 a.m. the next morning.

    A welcome bottle of local wine is waiting for you in your room. 

  • Day 2: Amboise – Montbazon - 28 miles (45 km)

    Follow the “Loire à Vélo” cycling paths through the vineyards of Montlouis and its numerous wine cellars producing the famous sweet or sparkling white wines. Then, take time to enjoy the old and vibrant quarters of Tours and especially the “Place Plumereau”, a beautiful square with half-timbered houses. Proceed along the Touraine countryside to reach your next chateau-hotel in Montbazon. In the small village of Montbazon you could visit one of the oldest fortresses in France, Fortress of Montbazon.

  • Day 3: Round trip to Azay le Rideau - 34 miles (55 km)

    Ride on the “Indre à vélo” cycling paths along the winding Indre river and admire its beautiful mills and typical
    villages, before joining Azay le Rideau and its romantic Renaissance château, elegantly enclosed in its water
    and greenery setting.

  • Day 4: Montbazon – Chenonceaux - 25 miles (40 km)

    You’ll bike today to the remarkable Chenonceau Castle, jewel of the Loire Valley, with grounds that stretch across the River Cher in a perfect harmony of “water, greenery, gardens, and trees.”  It’s one of the most visited landmarks in all of France. The chateau is dedicated to the “Ladies of Chenonceau,” six women under whose influence this elegant chateau developed from a fortified mill. 

    Option: Canoe trip on the Cher River

  • Day 5: Chenonceaux – Cour Cheverny - 30 miles (48 km)

    Leave the Chenonceaux to reach the nice medieval village of Montrichard. It is time to ride through the vineyards of Touraine area via the chateau of Gué Péan and the medieval chateau of Fougères sur Bièvre, a perfect illustration of the traditional 15th century building art. A beautiful itinerary through the countryside and vineyards before reaching the famous château of Cheverny, still privately owned and beautifully furnished. It was built between 1604 and 1634 and never altered, presenting an immaculate picture of symmetry and harmony. You might also see the famous hounds used for local hunting by the descendant of the original owner.

    Option: Hot air balloon flight

  • Day 6: Round Trip Cheverny - Chambord - 31 miles (50 km)

    Biking on the small country roads around Cheverny is superb, and today you’ll visit the largest of the Loire Valley chateaux, Chateau de Chambord. With 440 rooms it’s one of the most extravagant commissions of its age. In the evening another regional meal, prepared with fresh products, awaits you in your hotel.

  • Day 7: Cheverny – Amboise - 31 miles (50 km)

    For your last cycling day, ride through the AOC Cheverny vineyards before going back on “Loire à Vélo” cycling tracks! Reach the castle of Chaumont sur Loire. Not to be missed: The International Garden Festival which takes place in the vast park of the Estate. An absolute laboratory for the contemporary creation, where the world famous designers challenge their originality. Then go on, between vineyards and Loire river, to reach the royal city of Amboise.

  • Day 8: Tour Ends

    Your tour will end today, with departure after breakfast.

Dates & Prices

Green = Open | Yellow = Limited | Red = Full

2024

  • Prices are per person in US Dollars – inclusive bike rental
  • This tour can be guided upon request
  • Choose your own starting date (from the 1st weekend of June to October)

Accommodation

Double

Single

5* Hotels

$ 3,820

$ 4,920

Terms and Conditions

Accommodations

The accommodations listed below are examples of those usually used on the tour. Depending on availability, you may be booked in a different accommodation of equal quality.

Reviews

Wonderful hotels with great food. Bike routes easy to follow, through lovely woods and mostly small roads. The chateau were great destinations during the day and made each day different and interesting. Transfer of luggage all very smooth and Denise was available for any questions along the way. If you want a self guided bike trip, I would highly recommend Van Gogh Tours. We will definitely use them again!

Natalie Venezia, June 2022


 

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WHY Van Gogh Tours

Van Gogh Tours - bike and barge tours

Included

  • Accommodations in elegant five-star chateaux and manors
  • 7 breakfasts and 7 dinners
  • 1 lunch in a gourmet restaurant at the foot of the Château de Chambord
  • Entrance fees to Château de Chenonceaux, Domaine de Chambord & Gardens, Château de Cheverny, Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire and Château d’azar le Rideau
  • Entrance to Park Leonardo Da Vinci and a local wine tasting
  • Welcome bottle of local wine
  • Bike rental, including panniers, lock, repair kit, map holder
  • Luggage transportation (limited to 2 per person and 32 pounds per piece)
  • Route descriptions, maps, and travel highlight information
  • Personalized navigation app showing points of interest along the route
  • City taxes
  • Emergency service phone number 7 days a week

Bikes

Bikes are included in the price of the tour. Bikes are well-maintained 21-speed men’s and women’s bikes, equipped with saddlebags, repair kit, odometer, and lock. Bike helmet available on request. 

Electric bikes can be rented for this tour ($100 per person).We advise you only to rent an electric bike if you have first tried one at home. They’re heavier than regular bikes and therefore can be difficult to maneuver. In addition, you can rent children’s bikes, child seats, and bike trailers.

If you want to upgrade your bike, you can rent a Scott Sportster P6 for a $30 supplement for the duration of the tour.

Van Gogh Tours - Bike rental - Scott Sub Sport   Van Gogh Tours - Bike rental - Scott E-Sub Active

Meals

Included in the tour price you’ll receive daily buffet breakfast and excellent dinners. For the buffet breakfasts there’s an assortment of cold meats and cheeses, eggs, bread, jams, cereal, yogurt, fruit, coffee, and tea. For lunches you will be in a town so you can find lunch at a restaurant on your own (1 lunch is included). Dinners are three-courses with either a set menu or a choice of two options. We can accommodate many types of dietary restrictions including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy free. Please indicate these requests at the time of booking.

Not Included

  • Air fare
  • Beverages
  • 6 Lunches
  • Canoe trip on the Cher River ($20 per person)
  • Hot air balloon flight ($ 275 per person)
  • Travel/cancellation insurance
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