Loire Valley Vineyards
SKU:
£695.00
£695.00
Experience the best of another typically French, wine producing region on this most pleasant and picturesque cycle amongst the vineyards of the Loire Valley. As well as being on the bike, a firm emphasis is put on the enjoyment of the locally produced wines through both its production and, more importantly, tasting.
DAY TO DAY HIGHLIGHTS
Day 1: Arrival in Saumur
Discover the pleasant town of Saumur, famed for both it's 14th century Châteaux and sparkling white wine production.
Day 2: Saumur – Fontevraud: 44km / 27 miles
This first cycle day takes you through the 'Saumur Champigny' red wine vineyards, there is the opportunity to enjoy a little time at Château de Brézé, renowned for it's underground cellars. Next is Fontevraud and its Royal Abbey; an outstanding example of Romanesque art from 1099.
Day 3: Fontevraud – Chinon : 50km / 31 miles
After cycling through the Fontevraud forest, discover the famous Chinon red wine producing vineyards. Stopping to admire the medieval Château du Rivau before reaching another medieval town, Chinon, built on the river banks of Vienne.
Day 4: Chinon – Azay le Rideau: 44km / 27 miles
This cycle route takes in yet more wine cellars and vineyards leading you to the village of Crissay sur Manse, listed among the most beautiful villages of France. Continue along the countryside roads until Azay le Rideau and its romantic Renaissance Château, in its beautiful water and greenery setting.
Day 5: Azay le Rideau – Saumur : 58km / 36 miles
Joining the 'Loire à Vélo' route leads you to the village of Candes-Saint-Martin with it's magnificent 12th and 13th century college church. Thereafter, proceed to the beautiful village of Montsoreau dominated by its Château, built over the Loire river. Continue finally reaching Saumur and to your hotel.
Day 6: Departure during the day
Day 1: Arrival in Saumur
Discover the pleasant town of Saumur, famed for both it's 14th century Châteaux and sparkling white wine production.
Day 2: Saumur – Fontevraud: 44km / 27 miles
This first cycle day takes you through the 'Saumur Champigny' red wine vineyards, there is the opportunity to enjoy a little time at Château de Brézé, renowned for it's underground cellars. Next is Fontevraud and its Royal Abbey; an outstanding example of Romanesque art from 1099.
Day 3: Fontevraud – Chinon : 50km / 31 miles
After cycling through the Fontevraud forest, discover the famous Chinon red wine producing vineyards. Stopping to admire the medieval Château du Rivau before reaching another medieval town, Chinon, built on the river banks of Vienne.
Day 4: Chinon – Azay le Rideau: 44km / 27 miles
This cycle route takes in yet more wine cellars and vineyards leading you to the village of Crissay sur Manse, listed among the most beautiful villages of France. Continue along the countryside roads until Azay le Rideau and its romantic Renaissance Château, in its beautiful water and greenery setting.
Day 5: Azay le Rideau – Saumur : 58km / 36 miles
Joining the 'Loire à Vélo' route leads you to the village of Candes-Saint-Martin with it's magnificent 12th and 13th century college church. Thereafter, proceed to the beautiful village of Montsoreau dominated by its Château, built over the Loire river. Continue finally reaching Saumur and to your hotel.
Day 6: Departure during the day
Bikes
Hybrid bikes in both man and woman frames, with all sizes available (including child frames), are included in the cost of this tour. We suggest 'hybrid' type bicycles to hire on this tour, as they are ideal for the nature of the route and the terrain involved, as well as offering a reasonable level of comfort over the daily distances shown. However, upon request, road bikes can be provided for a little extra supplement of £10 / $15 per day, while fun and popular electric bikes are also an option at £15 / $20 daily too.
Bikes are provided fully equipped with helmets, pump and puncture repair kit, pannier bags, handlebar map holder and bike computer, included in the total cost.
Please note, should you have specific questions related to the bicycles on offer, don't hesitate to ask.
Tour Details
This is a SELF-GUIDED cycle tour, while comprehensive maps and route notes are provided. It is available from around mid-March to mid-October, while the months of July and August are of course the busier times and the weather can be very warm to cycle, however this does not mean it would not be enjoyable! We ask for 48 hours to confirm our tours (as per the Pedal & Break booking guarantee*), yet this may be slightly longer in the aforementioned peak July and August period.
Hybrid bikes in both man and woman frames, with all sizes available (including child frames), are included in the cost of this tour. We suggest 'hybrid' type bicycles to hire on this tour, as they are ideal for the nature of the route and the terrain involved, as well as offering a reasonable level of comfort over the daily distances shown. However, upon request, road bikes can be provided for a little extra supplement of £10 / $15 per day, while fun and popular electric bikes are also an option at £15 / $20 daily too.
Bikes are provided fully equipped with helmets, pump and puncture repair kit, pannier bags, handlebar map holder and bike computer, included in the total cost.
Please note, should you have specific questions related to the bicycles on offer, don't hesitate to ask.
Tour Details
This is a SELF-GUIDED cycle tour, while comprehensive maps and route notes are provided. It is available from around mid-March to mid-October, while the months of July and August are of course the busier times and the weather can be very warm to cycle, however this does not mean it would not be enjoyable! We ask for 48 hours to confirm our tours (as per the Pedal & Break booking guarantee*), yet this may be slightly longer in the aforementioned peak July and August period.
Hotels
The hotels provided here are of a superior standard, some 3* and mostly 4* that are traditional French hotels offering a warm welcome being particularly 'cycle friendly'. They are specifically selected as being ideal places to relax after a hard day's cycling yet offering a taste of the local culture. This is evident in the French cuisine on offer, with this being taken care of with all breakfasts and evening meals included in the overall cost.
However, we can provide variations of hotels upon request with both a slightly less 'standard' package, as well as an upgraded 'deluxe' offering.
Furthermore, there may be the option of further reductions on the tour costs shown should anyone wish to opt out of 'evening meals'.
Of course, single rooms are available at a supplement on the main tour cost, while this can again vary dependent on the overall package.
Not forgetting that extra nights are always available too.
The hotels provided here are of a superior standard, some 3* and mostly 4* that are traditional French hotels offering a warm welcome being particularly 'cycle friendly'. They are specifically selected as being ideal places to relax after a hard day's cycling yet offering a taste of the local culture. This is evident in the French cuisine on offer, with this being taken care of with all breakfasts and evening meals included in the overall cost.
However, we can provide variations of hotels upon request with both a slightly less 'standard' package, as well as an upgraded 'deluxe' offering.
Furthermore, there may be the option of further reductions on the tour costs shown should anyone wish to opt out of 'evening meals'.
Of course, single rooms are available at a supplement on the main tour cost, while this can again vary dependent on the overall package.
Not forgetting that extra nights are always available too.
The tour starts and end in Saumur. The closest major airport to Saumur, France is Tours Val de Loire Airport (TUF). This airport is 82km / 51 miles from the centre of Saumur, France. If you're looking for international or domestic flights to TUF, check which airlines fly to Saumur.
Nantes Atlantique (NTE) Airport is approximately 155km / 97 miles away and 2 hours 30 minutes by bus and train.
Paris is approximately 3 hours away by TGV (fast) train. Or, 4 hours by standard train. Of course, Paris is easily accessible by many cities in the world and a huge variety of airline options.
Nantes Atlantique (NTE) Airport is approximately 155km / 97 miles away and 2 hours 30 minutes by bus and train.
Paris is approximately 3 hours away by TGV (fast) train. Or, 4 hours by standard train. Of course, Paris is easily accessible by many cities in the world and a huge variety of airline options.
When is the best time to travel?
Most of our tours are available from early April until the end of October to enable you to make the most of the weather and scenery with some available year round. There is no ‘best’ time to go, this is really down to personal preference and your requirements however, peak summer months like July and August can be warm in southern Europe and busier so we would recommend these to sun worshippers. We would suggest that around May, June and September are the preferable months for comfortable and optimum cycling experience.
What clothing and kit should I bring?
Each individual tour provides slight variations in kit provided so we would always recommend checking your individual booking. In all cases bicycles are provided along with full puncture repair kit. In the majority of cases helmets will be provided and you will be given this information as part of the booking process. Where these are not provided there is the option to add this on or bring your own. Clothing is not provided but we would recommend suitable, comfortable clothing to cover all eventualities! Lycra and padded short are not mandatory but we would recommend these for your comfort. Breathable fabrics and light layers with a shower proof jacket will enhance your experience and we would also recommend comfortable footwear.
How do I carry this clothing and kit from A to B?
You don’t! Whilst we would recommend taking a small backpack or loading your panniers with daily essentials such as a light cycle jacket, water, snacks and your phone and camera the great news is your main luggage will be transported by ourselves between your accommodations allowing you to enjoy you day baggage free. We usually ask you to leave this the morning of the day you depart the particular hotel and should arrive by late afternoon at your next destination but we always aim to have this there before you.
How fit do I need to be to do the tours?
Every tour description gives an indication of the level of suitability along with details on the distances and terrains covered. However, the majority of our tours on Pedal & Break are open and suitable for all with a reasonable level of fitness and all age groups. As we say Lycra is optional and we actively encourage and truly welcome those on a first time cycling holiday. You also do not all need to be the same level to enjoy our holidays as a group. A basic level of cycling is a must in order to be confident on the roads and routes and we would recommend a good base level of fitness. Our routes are designed to enjoy the scenery at a leisurely pace with sightseeing and refreshment stops factored in, after all this is your holiday! The days should not be viewed as a leg of the Tour de France and don’t require you to cycle flat out from dawn till dusk. The e-bike is also an excellent option for those needing a ‘boost’. As a husband and wife partnership on our first holiday this worked perfectly for us and enabled us to enjoy our holiday together stress free.
What is an e-bike?
An e-bike is an electric bike and does not require a license and nor should it be confused with a moped or scooter! An e-bike will be available on most of our tours and is the perfect option for the slightly more apprehensive cyclist, simply as these bikes provide the ideal boost when the legs feel a little tired or when facing a hilly section. You are still required to pedal as the bike is a modified standard bicycle and the e-bike merely gives you a helping hand. The electric element can be turned on and off as you like but from personal experience having this at a low level throughout with an extra boost added for setting off at junctions and up hills enabled my wife to enjoy her first cycling tour alongside me throughout and gave her the confidence she needed.
Most of our tours are available from early April until the end of October to enable you to make the most of the weather and scenery with some available year round. There is no ‘best’ time to go, this is really down to personal preference and your requirements however, peak summer months like July and August can be warm in southern Europe and busier so we would recommend these to sun worshippers. We would suggest that around May, June and September are the preferable months for comfortable and optimum cycling experience.
What clothing and kit should I bring?
Each individual tour provides slight variations in kit provided so we would always recommend checking your individual booking. In all cases bicycles are provided along with full puncture repair kit. In the majority of cases helmets will be provided and you will be given this information as part of the booking process. Where these are not provided there is the option to add this on or bring your own. Clothing is not provided but we would recommend suitable, comfortable clothing to cover all eventualities! Lycra and padded short are not mandatory but we would recommend these for your comfort. Breathable fabrics and light layers with a shower proof jacket will enhance your experience and we would also recommend comfortable footwear.
How do I carry this clothing and kit from A to B?
You don’t! Whilst we would recommend taking a small backpack or loading your panniers with daily essentials such as a light cycle jacket, water, snacks and your phone and camera the great news is your main luggage will be transported by ourselves between your accommodations allowing you to enjoy you day baggage free. We usually ask you to leave this the morning of the day you depart the particular hotel and should arrive by late afternoon at your next destination but we always aim to have this there before you.
How fit do I need to be to do the tours?
Every tour description gives an indication of the level of suitability along with details on the distances and terrains covered. However, the majority of our tours on Pedal & Break are open and suitable for all with a reasonable level of fitness and all age groups. As we say Lycra is optional and we actively encourage and truly welcome those on a first time cycling holiday. You also do not all need to be the same level to enjoy our holidays as a group. A basic level of cycling is a must in order to be confident on the roads and routes and we would recommend a good base level of fitness. Our routes are designed to enjoy the scenery at a leisurely pace with sightseeing and refreshment stops factored in, after all this is your holiday! The days should not be viewed as a leg of the Tour de France and don’t require you to cycle flat out from dawn till dusk. The e-bike is also an excellent option for those needing a ‘boost’. As a husband and wife partnership on our first holiday this worked perfectly for us and enabled us to enjoy our holiday together stress free.
What is an e-bike?
An e-bike is an electric bike and does not require a license and nor should it be confused with a moped or scooter! An e-bike will be available on most of our tours and is the perfect option for the slightly more apprehensive cyclist, simply as these bikes provide the ideal boost when the legs feel a little tired or when facing a hilly section. You are still required to pedal as the bike is a modified standard bicycle and the e-bike merely gives you a helping hand. The electric element can be turned on and off as you like but from personal experience having this at a low level throughout with an extra boost added for setting off at junctions and up hills enabled my wife to enjoy her first cycling tour alongside me throughout and gave her the confidence she needed.