Châteaux of the Loire Valley – Easy biking through France's Valley of Kings
July 10 – 16, 2006                                                               Request more information
Per person: $2,499                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Details

Many people dream of bicycling in France, and this tour makes that a reality, guaranteed. Whether you join us because we will translate for you, or because of the van accompaniment, for the camaraderie of a group of like-minded souls, to have someone else handle the details of lodging and cycling routes, or simply to free yourself to enjoy the day in front of you as it unfolds, we take care of these essential things. 

Imagine. You are cycling through the garden of France, the beautiful Loire Valley, staying at country homes, great country inns with excellent local food, and an organic farm where the proprietor serves hearty farm meals featuring local produce. With well-planned, relaxed daily cycling trips, see the formal and avant-garde gardens of such historic towns as Chambord, Tours, Langeais and Amboise. Enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded people and come home with a deeper understanding of what is meant by French food, character and culture.

The Loire River is the longest in France and is said to be the last wild river in Western Europe. Like most rivers the Loire rises in the mountains. It begins in the Cevennes near the foot of the Gerbier de Jonc. The river flows 634 miles from its headwaters to the Atlantic Ocean where it empties into the Bay of Biscay south of the Brittany Peninsula. Along its course it descends down, and cuts gorges in, descending basins. It is in these many gorges that many of Frances most beautiful scenery, and within that scenery are the French chateaux and vineyards.

Loire Valley (the Vallée de la Loire) is known as the Garden of France and the Cradle of the French Language. It is also noteworthy for the quality of its architectural heritage, in its historic towns such as for its world-famous castles, such as the Châteaux Amboise, Chambord and Langeais.

Much of the architecture in the Loire Valley was built during the “Age of Enlightenment” and captures something of hope for mankind’s future and potential. The region is also famous for its food and wine. The Loire Valley is also where the royal and powerful built their summerhouses, their country homes, the palaces of their mistresses – it is where they went to get away and play.

Amboise is a medieval town where Leonardo da Vinci lived at the invitation of Francis I of France, whose Château Amboise, which dominates the town, is located just 500 meters away, and there is said to be a tunnel connecting the two. The narrow streets contain some good examples of timbered housing. Today a small market town, it was once home of the French royal court.

Bicycling on the trip is relaxed and easy. There are frequent, refreshing stops. The tours are over flat terrain, and the bicycling generally totals no more than two hours a day. People find the leisurely pace pleasant and not strenuous or stressful. We want you to soak in the sites, not soak in your clothes.

What makes this trip special? So many things, including:

     ●  It has an itinerary geared to the special needs and interests of each group.

Details and itinerary