
5 Ways to Relive the Renaissance in the Loire Valley
FranceWith its riverside vineyards, spectacularly tended gardens and fairytale châteaux, you’d think it would be an impossible task to make the ...
READ MOREIn the valley of kings, we’ll roll out the red carpet for you. You’ll stay in grand châteaux. You’ll visit Touraine and think you’ve died and gone to epicurean heaven. You’ll enjoy a stately dinner at the impressive Du Rivau. There are centuries of history here too, and we’ll take you straight to the heart of it.
Go Bespoke: Whatever your heart’s desire, one of our seasoned Trip Designers will dream up a totally custom B&R experience that you’ll never forget.
All of our scheduled trips can be booked as private trips (your dates, your group).
The right number of like-minded travellers to make new friends.
Your dates. Your group. Our expertly-designed itinerary.
Tailored to your interests, a bespoke travel experience.
Biking – 40-50 km (25-30 mi.) a day over relatively flat terrain with a few small hills—all very manageable for people trying their first biking trip.
Walking – 6-10 km (4-6 mi.) a day on country lanes, footpaths and coastal or forest trails, all on relatively flat terrain, perhaps with an occasional hill.
Biking – 40-50 km (25-30 mi.) a day over terrain that’s relatively flat but will include inclines and the occasional climb or two.
Walking – 8-12 km (5-7 mi.) a day over relatively flat terrain, with occasional steeper climbs.
Biking – 40-50 km (25-30 mi.) a day in gently rolling countryside, with occasional longer climbs to points that are well worth the effort.
Walking – 11-15 km (7-10 mi.) a day over rolling terrain on a variety of surfaces. Most days, one or two steeper climbs to spectacular viewpoints or places of interest.
Biking – Roughly 50 km (30 mi.) a day in consistently rolling countryside, with repeated climbs and longer options available.
Walking – 11-15 km (7-10 mi.) over terrain that varies between rolling and hilly, with a few steeper climbs.
Biking – 50-60 km (30-45 mi.) a day over both level and tougher, hillier terrain with multiple 100 km (62 mi.) options. The routes are designed for avid cyclists and include plenty of chances to push yourself.
Walking – 11-15 km (7-10 mi.) a day over fairly hilly terrain offering lots of challenges. Routes are along high meadow paths and/or well-maintained cliffside or alpine trails, with a few steep ascents to make you feel invigorated.
We use premium hotels that are unique expressions of the region. Often they’ve had a previous life as a monastery or a castle, but in every case they offer an exceptionally comfortable stay.
These are stylish 4-star properties that offer a casual and comfortable stay. Often without a 24-hour concierge or room service, they tend to be smaller family-run hotels that are perfect for the region.
We craft extraordinary experiences, tailor made to meet your every need,
with every stitch of every day crafted just the way you want it.
Get some sun(flowers).
The B&R guides were incredibly good and all else—bikes, itinerary, special events, and fellow travellers—were absolutely delightful. My husband and I had a wonderful time!
Let your en garde down.
With its riverside vineyards, spectacularly tended gardens and fairytale châteaux, you’d think it would be an impossible task to make the ...
READ MOREWhat do you think of first when someone mentions France? Perhaps you conjure up an image of the glittering Eiffel Tower, or other famous sights ...
READ MOREOnce upon a time, this land of castles was the fabulous playground of French kings and aristocracy. Today, this serene, pastoral region can also ...
READ MOREDon't let the name fool you: there are so many wonderful things to do in Angers that you’ll (almost) wonder why the Loire Valley’s stunning castles garner it all the ...
READ MORE"Nick Hammond discovers that keeping fit on a family holiday can be positively enjoyable and ...
READ MOREWithin France's historic Loire Valley lies the charming and lovingly restored Chateau du Rivau, a 13th-century castle turned luxury hotel property. ...
READ MORE"When traveling with a young family, wine regions shouldn’t be automatically pulled from the ...
READ MOREBefore you check out the slideshow and find out just what makes the Loire Valley such a perfect destination for families, a brief note of ...
READ MOREMany of these works capture the special qualities of a particular region and will provide you a much deeper sense of history and its ...
READ MOREAs they didn’t have an oven, the Tatin sisters had to cook this classic French apple tart on a stove. ...
READ MOREKnown as "the garden of France" and famous for its gastronomy and douceur (mildness), the cuisine of the Loire Valley has much to ...
READ MOREWine has always been part of life here; Henri IV is reputed to have said of a Loire wine... ...
READ MOREDotted with châteaux (castles) and besought by war, the history of the Loire Valley is long and involved. ...
READ MOREThere's a castle in my bike's side-view mirror. But it's not just any castle. It's the castle said to have inspired the tale of Sleeping ...
READ MORE“For other travelers, the trip of a lifetime may be about experiencing a familiar location in a new way. On Butterfield & Robinson’s cycling tour of France’s Loire Valley, travelers bike past acres of the valley’s sunflower fields, dine at the home of renowned local chef Jean-Claude Rigollet, and overnight at the 15th-century Châteaux du Rivau, an estate where Joan of Arc was once a guest.”
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