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Travel destinations on the map

— Day 1: Tours (Centre)

Arrive in Tours

We check into our hotel in Tours, in the historical province Touraine, the famous "Garden of France".
In the afternoon we can review our detailed tour information and one of our local staff delivers us our bicycles.

Overnight in Tours.

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60 km Day 2: Chinon (Centre)

Tours - Chinon

The river Cher accompanies us on our way to Castle Villandry with its terrace gardens. At Villandry, we should enjoy the famous gardens and stroll along the shady walking paths decorated with flowers, the fountains and the artistically planted vegetable garden.

A few kilometres from here, we exchange the banks of the Cher for the banks of the Loire. The next castle is already expecting us, Castle Langeais. From the the fortified tower, (this castle was used exclusively for military purposes) we have a great view of the river and the surrounding countryside.

At the edge of the lush, mysterious forest of Chinon, home of the Castle Ussé, the "The Sleeping-Beauty-Castle".

We pedal through small villages and on side roads into Chinon, where we spend the night.

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55 km Day 3: Chinon (Centre)

Chinon - Fontevraud - Chinon

Our cycle path leads you to Fontevraud l'Abbey – a stop here is really worthwhile. Fontevraud is one of the best preserved Middle-Age-monasteries in the world.

Next up is Saumur, the the town of the mushrooms: they are cultivated here in dark, some that have a length of more than 800 km. But Samur is also home to a wonderful castle for us to visit.

After a comfortable break in the castle park, we cycle back to Chinon through beautiful vineyards.

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40 km Day 4: Azay-le-Rideau (Centre)

Chinon - Azay-le-Rideau

Leaving Chinon with its Middle-Age-roads behind, we travel on towards the north.

The route takes us through ancient vineyards and lovely villages to Crissay, once totally forgotten – now inhabited by numerous artists. This village is filled with 15th-century-houses and is considered one of the most beautiful towns in France.

We cycle on to Azay–le-Rideau, with its extraordinary Renaissance-castle. Balzac described it as "a diamond with thousand facets, set in the Indre river".

We spend the night here, directly in the village and have the opportunity to enjoy the magic of the castle with its impressive cultural events.

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60 km Day 5: Chenonceaux (Centre)

Azay-le-Rideau - Chenonceaux

Today we pedal hrough the romantic river scenery along the Indre to one of the highlights of our tour - the lovely small town Montbazon. Then we pedal over a short ascent and head into the valley of the Cher river and ride along meadow paths towards Bléré – a small village. We cross over a bridge over the river, and in front of it we can admire the magnificent castle garden. According to many visitors, Château de Chenonceau is the icing on the cake.

We spend the night in the lovely town of Chenonceaux.

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45 km / alternative route: 75 km Day 6: Blois (Centre)

Chenonceaux - Blois

We have two possibilities today: the first is a shorter trip which takes us through the pretty scenic route of Touraine to Castle Chaumont, and from here further along the romantic route of the Loire to Blois. After the check-in at the hotel, we can explore the surroundings and visit Castle Blois with its galleries, balconies, and oriels.

The second cycling choice is a longer route for all lovers of the Loire Castles: We pass Montrichard, Cheverny and Villesavine towards Castle Chambord. The "Domaine de Chambord" extends as far as the eye can see. The walls of the biggest and most magnificent residence in the Loire are visible from far away, and up close it's even more magnificent.

Overnight in Blois.

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70 km Day 7: Tours (Centre)

Blois - Tours

The river flows gently between golden shimmering sandbanks. We pass by the rock residences built into the limestone that are characteristic of this region.

We cross the Loire to visit the king of all castles – Castle Amboise. It hosted five kings and a Roman emperor. Leonardo da Vinci spent his last years here in the 16th century. We cycle through Rochecorbon towards Tours on hidden paths and through vineyards and wine-cellars.

Overnight in Tours

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— Day 8: Tours (Centre)

After breakfast, our journey comes to an end.

We hope you had a wonderful time with us here in France!

all bike rentals come with a pannier to hold your stuff.
road bike comes with a aluminum frame, carbon fork, Shimano triple 105

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Photos are examples, actual hotel & room may vary.

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Tour Season

April 14th – October 6th 2012

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Check-in

• Thursday
• Saturday