Small Group
Loire Valley Biking
The land of the kings
6 Days, 5 Nights
Maximum Group Size
16
Activity Level:
B&R Activity Levels
Priced per person from
$5,995 USD
Single Supplement: $1,200 USD
Jan
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Dec
Carbon Neutral Trip
Two castles, countless vineyards, and a dash of Joan of Arc (BYO armour). Pedal the Loire’s dreamy countryside from the Belle Époque splendour of Domaine de la Tortiniere to historic Château du Rivau (dibs on Joan’s room, anyone?). Sip top-tier wines, marvel at over-the-top architecture, and relish landscapes so romantic even cynics swoon.
Preview the itinerary
No two trips are ever the same, but this will give you a taste of what your journey will be like.
Day 1
Warm up your legs with a ride along quiet countryside roads to the jaw-dropping Château de Chambord. Wander through the castle and enjoy a picnic lunch, then we're back on our bikes. This evening, we'll indulge in a fabulous dinner prepared in the hotel.
Activity:
41 km (25 mi.) ride into forests and villages and then inland through the Chambord forest | Elevation gain: 286 m (938 ft.)
Day 2
Embark on a scenic loop through villages and the pastoral landscapes of the Loire and Cher. For lunch, we’ll stop at a small châteaux owned by the same family for nearly 500 years. Cycle back to Cheverny or opt for a longer ride, pausing to visit Château de Cheverny. Tonight, we’ll dine at the hotel’s bistro.
Activity:
31 km (19 mi.) morning bike ride through the wine region of Cheverny | Elevation gain: 205 m (685 ft.)
Day 3
Head south on countryside roads to Château de Chenonceau, where a local guide will help us discover what is considered the most romantic châteaux in the Loire Valley. Pause for lunch by the river at the Castle Fontenay, where we’ll learn about the wines and history of the property. Tonight, we'll enjoy dinner paired with excellent regional wines in the private dining lounge of the hotel.
Activity:
49 km (340 mi.) ride to Azay-sur-Cher via Chenonceau | Elevation gain: 649 m (2,219 ft.)
Day 4
Ride past charming hamlets and beautifully manicured gardens to Azay le Rideau, where we’ll tour its Renaissance château with a local historian. Continue pedalling through the medieval village of Crissay sur Manse, passing the charming gothic church and narrow streets. This evening, enjoy a chilled glass of bubbly and local vintages in the town of Richelieu.
Activity:
57 km (35.4 mi.) ride from Indre Valley to Lémeré via Azay le Rideau | Elevation gain: 477 m (1,564 ft.)
Day 5
Cycle through the enchanting vineyards of Chinon with plenty of opportunities to stop at a wine estate for an impromptu tasting. Visit the historic fortress or choose to spend the afternoon wandering through town before embarking on a short ride back to our castle. This evening we’ll toast to an unforgettable week over dinner prepared by Chef Andrea Modesto. Santé!
Activity:
48 km (29 mi.) loop ride through the Chinon appellation vineyards | Elevation gain: 349 (1,145 ft.)
Day 6
After breakfast, we’ll say farewell to the Loire and drive to St Pierre des Corps train station for connections to Paris—both downtown and Charles de Gaulle Airport. Bon voyage!
Rendezvous
Airport City: Paris
Trip Start: Hotel Les Tresorieres
Time: 8:30am
Farewell
Airport City: Paris
Trip End: St. Pierre des Corps TGV Train Station
Time: 10:00am
* Itineraries are subject to change. Please confirm exact Trip Start and Trip End locations upon booking.
Featured stays
Les Hauts de Loire
Location: Loire Valley, France
Domaine de la Tortinière
Location: Tours, France
Château du Rivau
Location: Lémeré, France
Dates & availability
Dates
Price
per person, double occupancy
+$NaN USD single supplement
Join
Join a group of up to 16 like-minded travellers.
Privatize
8+ people
Pricing depends on group size
Detailed Itinerary
Uniquely tailored for each date
Can't find your dates?
Get in touch to craft a Bespoke itinerary or request an additional date to Privatize.
What's included
Accommodation & dining
All breakfasts, lunches and dinners as indicated on the itinerary.
All accommodation as indicated on the itinerary.
Thoughtfully selected local wines, beers, cocktails or non-alcoholic beverages with all meals.
Active essentials
Choice of bike as appropriate for terrain (see below), equipped with handlebar bag and helmet.
A biodegradable B&R water bottle.
Use of a smartphone with downloaded GPS routes provided via RideWithGPS.
Guided services & gratuities
Services of B&R guide(s).
All special events, private tours, guest experts and entrance fees.
All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel services.
Transportation & logistics
Transportation from pick up to drop off.
Baggage transportation.
Access to the B&R support van every step of the way.
What's Not Included: International flights, travel protection, gratuity for your B&R guides.
This trip is carbon neutral. Learn more about our Sustainability commitment.
Experience Designer
Good to know
Hotels
Like many places in rural France, you'll only find 4-star hotels in the Loire. However, our hotels are equipped with all the amenities you can expect in any great hotel.
Rides
Most of the rides are on flat terrain but expect a few short hills whenever heading inland away from the rivers and a few short sections on mixed gravel roads. We recommend familiarity with biking in these conditions.
Why choose a Small Group trip?
An Effortless Journey
Our expert Experience Designers are perfectionists, using first-hand knowledge of routes, restaurants and hotels to create an unforgettable experience. This means all the planning is taken care of for you. All you need to do is enjoy.
Active Exploration
From emerging destinations to iconic sights, B&R trips show you the world in a new way on our expertly developed cycling, walking and hiking routes. Travelling through historic villages and romantic vineyards and up to striking viewpoints, our routes offer a variety of challenges for every activity level.
Friends for Life
Your fellow travellers are as passionate and curious about the world as you are, which means the conversations and laughs will be as free flowing as your drink of choice. Don't be surprised if your group starts planning a reunion before the trip is done.
Room for Surprises
We love a plan, but we adore a spontaneous moment even more. Whether it’s an impromptu al fresco meal or a moon-lit musical performance, our advice is to expect the unexpected.
