On your arrival in Orléans make your way to the first hotel. Dependent on your arrival time, we recommend spending time exploring the old historical centre. Orléans is situated between the large countryside fields of the Beauce area and the green pastures, ponds and forest of Sologne.

Meals:  Nil

Follow the wild river banks today, and cycle in calm and serenity to the charming town of Beaugency. This afternoon you can visit the Hall of Honour, in the town hall, with its 8 impressive embroidered wall hangings dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. Other notable sites include Chateau de Dunois, the Abbey church and the clock tower.

Meals:  B

Today you will leave Beaugency along the river banks, passing the prestigious château of Chambord, the widest château in the Loire Valley and a Renaissance masterpiece. Continue cycling towards Blois, known for its light facades and blue roofs, its pedestrian streets gracefully preserving the flavour of lost centuries, and its serene atmosphere. The château in Blois offers an excellent illustration of the evolution of French architecture from the Middle Ages to the 17th century.

Meals:  B

Cycle to the chateau of Chaumont, overlooking the Loire river. It is worthwhile stopping here, and the grounds are usually open to the public. The Chateau itself is famous for its luxurious stables and there is often free wine tasting at the base of the driveway. The cycle continues to Amboise and its royal chateau dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. Nearby you can also visit Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci's last home.

Meals:  B

Today's cycle will take you via the vineyards of Montlouis to discover the numerous cellars offering sweet white or sparkling wines. Enjoy a break to sample the local offerings. Continue to the lovely Château de la Bourdaisière, the birthplace of Gabrielle d'Estrées, a favourite mistress of King Henry IV. On to Tours and discover the old quarters that shelter the famous 'Place Plumereau' and the picturesque half-timbered houses.

Meals:  B

Cycle to Savonnières and visit the 'Petrifying Grottoes'. These limestone caves are used to create quite interesting ceramics. You will then proceed to Villandry with its chateau and famous gardens. These gardens are unmatched in Europe and have three superposed terraces. Continue to Sache and visit the house of the famous novelist Honoré de Balzac. You will eventually arrive in Azay le Rideau where you can admire its Renaissance chateau set over the Indre river.

Meals:  B

This morning you will cycle towards Langeais and its 15th century chateau, a typical medieval fortified castle where you can admire wonderful tapestries and furniture. Then ride towards the 'Sleeping Beauty' chateau in Ussé which inspired the famous fairy tale by Perrault. Overnight in the medieval city of Chinon, founded on the Vienne river. It is possible to visit numerous cellars and sample the famous red wine appreciated by Rabelais.

Meals:  B

Today you will cycle towards the impressive Abbey of Fontevraud, one of the greatest monastic cities in Europe from 1101 to 1804. Eleanor of Aquitaine spent her last days here and it is the necropolis of the Plantagenet sovereigns. Napoleon saved the abbey from destruction in 1804, transforming into a penitentiary and it remained a prison until 1985. Continue to the lovely town of Saumur.

Meals:  B

Follow the Loire river before cycling through the vineyards of Anjou. You will reach the peaceful city of Angers and its chateau housing the famous Apocalypse Tapestry.

Meals:  B

Today you will cycle from the heart of the vineyards of Anjou along the banks of the Loire via Chalonnes, at the confluence of the Loire and Layon rivers, riding through typical small villages and natural landscapes, where life runs in rhythm with the river. Continue via Montjean to Mauges-sur-Loire vicinity, where you stay overnight.

Meals:  B

The cycle today is quite peaceful as you follow the cycling path to the town of Champtoceaux, which marks the boundary between Anjou and Brittany. From here continue to ‘Les Folies Siffait’ a former romantic gardens where plants and stone buildings still remain - a peaceful place with wonderful views over the Loire river. Continue along the river until you reach the capital of the western area, Nantes. This dynamic city offers a large choice of sights to visit, including a chateau, Ile de Versailles and its Japanese gardens, and the giant elephant. You can enjoy sightseeing through the numerous pedestrian and cycle-friendly streets.

Meals:  B

Leave Nantes via a small boat across the river and continue on the cycling path of 'Loire à vélo'. Later in the day you will follow a narrow canal for a peaceful cycle through marshlands and countryside. This will bring you to the estuary of the Loire river at St Brevin les Pins. St Brevin is a seaside resort with a large sandy beach surrounded by sand dunes and pine tree forest - an ideal place to relax after a long cycling day.

Meals:  B

The trip concludes in St Brevin after breakfast.

Meals:  B