Loire a Velo: Orleans to the Atlantic

4.6/5 (19)
5 nights
26 miles/day
Self guided from EUR € 1075
Bike tour in France
Rider Level: Recreational Electric bike tours Primarily bike paths Family-friendly bike tours Client favorites

Loire a Velo: Orleans to the Atlantic

4.6/5 (19)

Rider Level: Recreational Electric bike tours Primarily bike paths Family-friendly bike tours Client favorites

5 nights
26 miles/day

Self guided from EUR € 1075
Bike tour in France

Tap above to jump to different sections of this tour

  • Loire a Velo

    Along this route, you can choose programs of 5, 9, or 13 nights.

    Follow the cycling path "Loire à vélo." The "Loire à Vélo" trail runs through the Centre and Pays de la Loire regions. As of 2008, you are able to cycle through the Anjou, Touraine, Loir-et-Cher, Loiret, and Cher areas over more than 250 miles of signposted tracks alongside the Loire River and its tributaries. Loire à Vélo is part of the future "Euroveloroute" running between Nantes and Budapest (1500 miles).

    If you wish, you may book the optional Chateaux package for tickets to various castles and monuments along the route. See the Dates & Prices page for pricing.

    Package options are as noted below:

    From Orléans to Tours (5 nights)
    Discover the royal valley by longing the majestic river from Orléans to Tours where thousands of treasures are waiting you including historical heritage and testimony with numerous chateaux, wonderful landscapes of different natural areas, and regional cuisine delights.

    From Tours to Angers (5 nights)
    This part of the Loire Valley is the most dotted in chateaux and vineyards. Follow the Loire river which will guide you from historical places to famous cellars for tasting. Enjoy the 'French art de vivre' along the peaceful and wild landscapes.

    From Orleans to Angers (9 nights)
    This tour combines the above two tours into one 9 night tour. Follow the Loire Valley from Orleans to Angers, and pass through historical places and beautiful landscapes.

    From Orleans to the Atlantic (13 nights)
    Discover the charms of the Western part of the Loire valley from all the way to Le Croisic on the Atlantic Ocean. This itinerary is your chance to visit the typical countryside by salterns and marsh to finally "take the plunge" into the Atlantic Ocean at Le Croisic.

    • Château de Chenonceau, Loire Valley, France. Dennis Jarvis@Flickr
    • The French love their Rosés! CC:Menerbes
    • Château de Chambord, Loire Valley, France. Dorina Mongel@Unsplash
    • A Rosé from Sancerre, France. CC:THOR
    • Château de Chenonceau, Loire Valley, France. Dennis Jarvis@Flickr
    • Wine-tasting in the Loire Valley. James Fink@Flickr
    • Loire a Velo: Orleans to the Atlantic - a Bike Tour of Chateaux in France!
    • Hot-air balloon ride over the Loire Valley, France. Damien Chaudet@Unsplash

    View more photos

    Highlights

    • Historical cities & old wine towns
    • Scenic Loire River
    • Beautiful Châteaux from different periods
    • Château d'Amboise
    • Château de Chenonceau
    • Château de Saumur
    • Vineyards and wine cellars
    • Typical small villages & beauty of the Loire valley

    Learn More

    Learn more about self-guided tours.

  • Traveler photos

    • Un café en el camino (photo by Sandra Bentjerodt)
    • Duck breast and sauteed fruits - delicious! (photo by mrank)
    • The Villandry Gardens - beautiful! (photo by mrank)
    • Along the beautiful river on the way to Azay Le Rideau. (photo by mrank)
    • Chinon along the river. (photo by mrank)
    • Wild flowers everywhere along the trail. (photo by mrank)
    • A typical coffee break stop.  On the way to Angers. (photo by mrank)
    • Photo 1 (photo by Shlomo)
    • Photo 2 (photo by Shlomo)
    • Planning the Day (photo by Granny Annie)
  • Daily program

    This itinerary below describes the full 13 night tour, from Orleans to Le Croisic and the Atlantic. Orleans to Tours (5 nights) is described in days 1-6. Tours to Angers (5 nights) is described in days 6-10. You can also book a combination tour for 9 nights, from Orleans to Angers, described in days 1-10.

    Day 1: Arrival in Orléans
    Discover Orléans and its old historical center, situated between the large countryside fields of Beauce area, green pastures, ponds and forest of Sologne area. Orléans, known as the "City of Art and History," was liberated from the English siege in 1429 by Joan of Arc.
    Overnight in Orleans.

    Day 2: Orléans – Beaugency or Tavers (16-19 miles/26-30 km)
    Cycle along the wild river banks for a stage in calm and serenity through the charming and flowered city of Beaugency.
    Overnight in Beaugency or Tavers.

    Day 3: Beaugency or Tavers – Blois (28 miles/45 km)
    Leave Beaugency by the river banks and pass by the prestigious château of Chambord, the widest Château of the Loire Valley masterpiece of the Renaissance period. Then, follow the direction of Blois presenting a rich historical heritage with the château offering a brilliant illustration of the evolution of French architecture from the Middle Ages to the 17th century.
    Overnight in Blois.

    Day 4: Blois – Amboise (25 miles/40 km)
    Follow the small countryside routes until the chateau of Chaumont overlooking the Loire river, before reaching Amboise and its royal chateau from 15th–16th century. A few streets further on is the last home of Léonardo Da Vinci: Manorhouse of 'Clos Lucé.'
    Overnight in Amboise.

    Day 5: Amboise – Tours (19 or 33 miles/30 or 53 km via Chenonceaux)
    Ride through the vineyards of Montlouis to discover the numerous cellars offering sweet white or sparkling wines. Then, enjoy the lovely chateau birthplace of Gabrielle d’Estrées, the favorite of King Henri IV. Continue to the heart of the city of Tours to discover the old quarters sheltering the famous 'Place Plumereau' and its half-timbered houses.
    Overnight in Tours.

    Day 6: Departure or continue to Azay le Rideau (27 miles/44 km)

    If you booked the Orleans to Tours (5 nights) package, you will depart in the morning for your onward travels. If you booked the Orleans to Angers (9 nights) package, a combination of the Orleans to Tours (5 nights) and the Tours to Angers (5 nights) package, you would continue on to Azay le Rideau as described below in the Tours to Angers route. If you booked the Tours to Angers (5 nights) package alone, you will meet in Tours for your first day, and continue to Azay le Rideau on your 2nd day as described below.

    **********************************

    Continue to Azay le Rideau (25 miles/41 km)
    Reach Savonnières for a journey in the heart of Petrifying Grottoes. Then proceed to Villandry with its famous Gardens, matchless in Europe and composed of 3 superposed terraces, then Saché, the house of the famous novelist Honoré de Balzac. Finally arrive in Azay le Rideau where you can admire its Renaissance chateau, a jewel set over the Indre river.
    Overnight in Azay le Rideau.

    Day 7: Azay le Rideau – Chinon (22 miles/35 km)
    Departure towards Langeais and its 15th-century château offering a typical form of a medieval fortified castle where you could admire wonderful tapestries and piece of furniture. Then ride towards the 'Sleeping Beauty' chateau in Ussé which has inspired Perrault for its famous fairy tale story.
    Overnight in Chinon.

    Day 8: Chinon – Saumur (22 or 30 miles/36 or 48 km)
    Before leaving the medieval city of Chinon, founded on the Vienne River, you may visit numerous cellars which propose the famous red wine such appreciated by Rabelais. Then, continue towards the abbey of Fontevraud, the largest monastic city remaining in Europe which is the Necropolis of the Plantagenêts sovereigns before reaching the lovely town of Saumur.
    Overnight in Saumur.

    Day 9: Saumur – Angers (36 miles/58 km)
    First follow the Loire River before going through the vineyards of Anjou. You will reach the peaceful city of Angers and its chateau sheltering the famous Apocalypse Tapestry.
    Overnight in Angers.

    Day 10: Departure or continue on to St Florent le Vieil or Ancenis (31 or 40 miles/50 or 65 km)

    If you booked the Tours to Angers (5 nights) or Orleans to Angers (9 nights) packages, you will depart today after breakfast. If you booked Orleans to the Atlantic (13 nights), you will continue to Montjean sur Loire as described below.

    **********************************

    Continue to St Florent le Vieil or Ancenis (23 miles/37 km)
    From the heart of the Anjou vineyards such as the Coteaux de la Loire and the Coteaux de l'Aubance. Do not miss to make a stop at Savennières, famous for its dry white wine, before riding on the Chalonne island in the middle of the Loire river, up to the village of Saint Florent le Vieil or Ancenis.
    Overnight in St Florent le Vieil or Ancenis.

    Day 11: St Florent le Vieil or Ancenis – Nantes(25 or 31 miles/40 or 50 km)
    Continue along the Loire river banks where you can enjoy the different natural landscapes and observe the wild animals and birds. Enjoy a peaceful ride until Champtoceaux, in its magnificent setting marking the boundary between Anjou and Brittany. Proceed to Nantes: a very dynamic city offering a large choice of visits and where you can enjoy sightseeing through the numerous pedestrian streets.
    Overnight in Nantes.

    Day 12: Nantes – St Brévin (37 miles/58 km)
    Leave the city via a small boat to cross the river and continue on the cycling path of ‘Loire à vélo’. Further on, you will follow a narrow canal for a peaceful moment along marshlands and countryside to finish at the estuary of the Loire river in St Brevin les Pins: a seaside resort which offer a large sandy beach surrounded by sand dunes and Pine trees forest. This is an ideal place to relax after long day biking.
    Overnight in St Brévin.

    Day 13: St Brévin – Le Croisic (33 or 37 miles/53 or 60 km)
    From the estuary of the River Loire to the wild sea coast of Le Croisic. Take benefit to discover the famous salt marshes of the medieval town of Guérande. In the heart of a classified natural park, this medieval city offers you many testimonies of its historical past. Then continue along the wild coast before reaching Le Croisic, a fish harbour and a very beautiful village on the coast.
    Overnight in Le Croisic.

    Day 14: Departure
    Departure after breakfast.

    Surface and terrain

    The Loire à Vélo tour routes alternate between quiet roads with little traffic (37%), dedicated bike paths (27%), no-thoroughfare roads open only to local residents and non-motorized vehicles (24%), and cycle lanes along roadways (12%). Two-thirds of the overall routes runs along the Loire.


    Hotels

    These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.

    Empreinte Hotel, Orleans
    www.empreinte-hotel.com

    Hotel Ecu de Bretagne, Beaugency
    www.ecudebretagne.fr

    Hotel Mercure (or charming guest house), Blois
    www.accorhotels.com

    Hotel Au Charme Rabelaisien, Amboise
    www.au-charme-rabelaisien.com

    Hotel Univers, Tours
    www.oceaniahotels.com

    Hotel le Grand Monarque, Azay le Rideau
    www.legrandmonarque.com

    Hotel de France, Chinon
    www.bestwestern-hoteldefrance-chinon.com

    Hotel Anne d'Anjou, Saumur
    www.hotel-anneanjou.com

    Hotel de France, Angers
    www.hoteldefrance-angers.com

    Auberge de la Loire, Montjean
    www.aubergedelaloire.com

    or Hotel le Poisson d’Argent
    www.aupoissondargent.com

    Hotel le Champalud, Champtoceaux
    www.lechampalud.com

    Hotel Graslin, Nantes
    www.hotel-graslin.com

    Hotel le Beryl, St. Brevin
    www.hotel-stbrevinlocean.com

    Hotel les Vikings, Le Croisic
    www.hotel-les-vikings.com

    Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.


    How to get there

    Tour start
    Nearest airport: Paris, France
    Nearest train station: Orleans, France

    Tour end
    Nearest airport: Paris, France
    Nearest train station: St Brévin les Pins, France

    Tips on getting to and from your tour

  • Dates

    Daily: Mar 1 - Oct 31, 2024.

    Orleans to the Atlantic (13 nights)
    Sundays*: Apr 14, 2024 - Sep 17, 2024 (*other start days on request with surcharge)

    Other itineraries
    Daily: Mar 1 - Oct 31, 2024.

    Prices

    Tour Packages

    Orleans to the Atlantic (13 nights) Orleans to Angers (9 nights) Orleans to Tours (5 nights) Tours to Angers (5 nights)
    Per person, double occupancy €2455 €1975 €1120 €1070
    Single use room (1 person/1 room) €3632 €2820 €1676 €1531
    Solo traveler (1 person in party with single use room) €4277 €3197 €1843 €1754

    Bike Rentals

    Orleans to the Atlantic (13 nights) Orleans to Angers (9 nights) Orleans to Tours (5 nights) Tours to Angers (5 nights)
    Standard bike €189 €133 €85 €85
    Trekking bike €237 €183 €105 €105
    E-bike €400 €289 €157 €157

    Child's trailer

    €158 €122 €63 €63
    Baby seat €63 €45 €21 €21
    "Follow-me” tandem €216 €161 €90 €90

    Additional Services

    Per person Orleans to the Atlantic (13 nights) Orleans to Angers (9 nights) Orleans to Tours (5 nights) Tours to Angers (5 nights)
    Dinner package - €467 €247 €261
    Chateaux package €174 €133 €74 €53
    Canoe trip €32/€32* €32/€32* €32 €32

    *two canoe trips offered on these routes.

    Extra Nights, Orleans

    Orleans to the Atlantic (13 nights) Orleans to Angers (9 nights) Orleans to Tours (5 nights)
    Per person, double occupancy €142 €142 €142
    Single use room (1 person/1 room) €240 €253 €253

    Extra Nights, Tours

    Orleans to Tours (5 nights) Tours to Angers (5 nights)
    Per person, double occupancy €121 €121
    Single use room (1 person/1 room) €216 €216

    Extra Nights, Angers

    Orleans to Angers (9 nights) Tours to Angers (5 nights)
    Per person, double occupancy €110 €110
    Single use room (1 person/1 room) €205 €205

    Extra Nights, Le Croisic

    Orleans to the Atlantic (13 nights)
    Per person, double occupancy €174
    Single use room (1 person/1 room) €321

    Included services

    • Accommodation in double room with private facilities
    • Breakfasts
    • Luggage transfer (1 luggage 20kg per person) - Additional €20 per extra luggage and transfer
    • Maps, detailed route instructions and itineraries, tourist information (1 set of information per room)
    • Navigational app
    • Telephone hotline 7 days/week in case of emergencies
    • Taxes and services
    • Bus transfer from St Brévin to St Nazaire (13-night itinerary only)

    Does not include

    • Drinks, lunches, dinners, and personal expenses
    • Entrance fees to monuments
    • Rental bike
    • Personal bike transfer
    • Train ticket for return transfer
    • Luggage transportation on last day

    Optional Chateaux package

    • Tickets for various castles and monuments along the route

    Bike rentals

    The bikes available for rent on this tour (must be reserved at time of booking):

    • Standard touring bikes, 21-speed men's or unisex frame
    • Electrically assisted bike, 9-speed*
    • Child's bike, trailer, or baby seat

    *More about electrically-assisted bikes >

    Equipment included with bike rental:

    • One rear saddlebag for standard bikes; two rear saddlebags for e-bikes
    • High visibility jacket
    • Anti-theft device
    • Map holder and handlebar bag
    • Repair kit, pump, lock

    Bike Protection:
    Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.

    Pedals:
    The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.

    Helmets:
    Helmets are available, free of charge but they must be reserved at the time of booking. The use of a helmet is mandatory for children less than 12 years old (whether riders or passengers). For older children and adults, even if it’s not mandatory we strongly recommend it! 


    Tour Company

  • Route Map

    Maps are for information purposes only and reflect typical routes between overnight locations. They may not reflect your actual route.

    • Sandra Bentjerodt 5 months ago

      Viaje perfecto

      Todo muy bien
      La ruta muy bien indicada , fantástica coordinación
      Hoteles de calidad con gente muy amable.
      Teníamos paquete con cena y muy ricos los restaurantes

      • Un café en el camino (photo by Sandra Bentjerodt)
    • John Rosenfeld November 7, 2022

      Thoroughly enjoyable

      Will plan by the tour group. Beautiful scenery. Many interesting sized to see that were both historical and educational. The bed and breakfast is that were selected were outstanding. Food along the way was outstanding. The directions were easy to follow

    • Murray Goring October 8, 2022

      Tours to Anger 4 day bike ride

      We went with our son and his wife. It was their first longer bike ride. They loved it. We did too but felt our previous Danube trip from Passau to Vienna was better. The hotels and food was good but the bike route was boring at times.
      We missed not having a spa hotel included.

      How many tours have you completed?
      8
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      Somewhat harder
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      First-time bike tourists
      Do you recommend this tour?
      No
      • 3/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 3/5 Scenery
      • 3/5 Ease of navigation
      • 3/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 3/5 Route selection
    • Jan Ludwinski September 28, 2022

      Nice and easy

      We did the 13 day tour. Food and accommodations were excellent. The bikes were rugged and reliable and we never ran out of charge. My one strong recommendation would be that the bikes be equipped with front shock absorbers, which would make the rougher roads more pleasant and easier on the wrists. The ride was almost exclusively in rural areas although there were a few places near the larger cities of Tours, Angers, and Nantes that would make some novice urban riders uncomfortable, but they were quickly forgotten.

      What was the date of your tour?
      September 2022
      How many tours have you completed?
      None previously
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      Much easier
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 4/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 4/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 4/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • James Hutcherson September 21, 2022

      Could have been better

      This tour was our 12th bicycle tour, but the first in France. Distances were good, weather cooperated, Hotels were excellent. Route was very well sign posted. We found the route much more difficult than we expected. Many hills. The previous reviews and description did not even mention that aspect. These would have not caused much of a problem if we had opted for ebikes, and the vast majority of riders that we encountered did have ebikes. I would disagree that this tour would be labeled as family friendly, unless the family has no kids. One difficulty we had was that there were no intermediate stops for coffee, snacks, lunch, water, etc. I would recommend packing those items from the departure town each day. While the route does generally follow the river, most of the route is not next to the river and it is not visable most of the time. I hope this review does not deter anyone from this tour, since the castles, hotels, food should be enjoyed. Just a little heads-up advice.

      What was the date of your tour?
      September 2022
      How many tours have you completed?
      12
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      Much harder
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 3/5 Value
      • 3/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 3/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 2/5 Tour documents
      • 2/5 Local tour company services
      • 4/5 Route selection
    • mrank July 9, 2021

      Great trip - highly recommend!

      We just completed the 9 day Orleans to Angers segment of this tour and really enjoyed it. It's the first trip we have taken that we would actually take again, but next time complete the entire 13 night tour. We have taken quite a few bike tours but this one provided the best supporting materials we ever had. The turn-by-turn materials and maps were very well done and easy to follow. We never needed the GPS. Of course the trail itself is extremely well marked, which helps a lot. In addition to the great support we received from the local tour company, the Bike Tours support while setting up the tour was also very good.

      The bikes were fine, a bit heavy, but comfortable. Our only issue was the tires on both bikes were under-inflated upon receipt, but we were able to resolve that without too much issue. We always carry our own tire gauge and check regularly. One bike had a mechanical issue, but the tour company was excellent at quickly resolving it.

      All the hotels were great and were prepared for our arrival. They also had very good facilities for storing the bicycles. Luggage transfer went smoothly and always arrived at our hotel before we did. The only minor issue was that one hotel did not have a lift, which was surprising, but not a big deal for us. I mention it in case it might be a concern to others.

      The meals, both breakfasts as well as dinners we purchased were top notch. We only had a complaint about the poor service in the Orleans restaurant. The food was good, but the entire restaurant was served by one person and it took forever to get through our meal. While the meals were all delicious, in hindsight, we may have gone without the supplemental meal package and just purchased dinners on our own. There were so many choices in almost every town that we would have enjoyed an occasional casual meal, like a delicious pizza vs the traditional French food every night. However, you can't go wrong in going with the meal package. It is definitely a French experience!

      Finally, the only other suggestion I would give is to alert people in the riding materials that there is a river crossing that you have to manage on your own using a little metal raft that you have to pull to your shore, load the bikes, and then pull to the other side. Its not too difficult, but managing the loading of bikes was a little tricky. I read afterwards there are ways around this crossing but it would have been good to know about it ahead of time.

      All in all, a great trip and maybe in the future we will be back to do it again.

      It goes without saying that the trails, scenery and points of interest were fantastic with lots of stops along the way. Even with less than great weather, we totally enjoyed this tour.

      What was the date of your tour?
      6/25 - 7/5, 2021
      How many tours have you completed?
      10
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • Duck breast and sauteed fruits - delicious! (photo by mrank)
      • The Villandry Gardens - beautiful! (photo by mrank)
      • Along the beautiful river on the way to Azay Le Rideau. (photo by mrank)
      • Chinon along the river. (photo by mrank)
      • Wild flowers everywhere along the trail. (photo by mrank)
      • A typical coffee break stop.  On the way to Angers. (photo by mrank)
      • BikeTours.com staff reply from Bruce July 10, 2021

        Thanks for your review and glad that you had a nice trip! Good suggestion for the riding materials. What wonderful photos!

      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • David2019 October 2, 2019

      A memorable cycling trip ...

      We were extremely pleased with the service we received through Biketours.com. Your website served as a terrific tool for choosing and planning a trip to meet our interests. The staff added to the quality of the planning by clarifying information on your website and by answering all of our questions. You were prepared to customize the tour to meet our needs and you offered suggestions that improved our experience. We felt that our trip was important to you. We were particularly pleased with the speed in which the staff responded and how another staff member would provide answers if our main contact was out of the office.

      We were very pleased with the route. It offered us a nice combination of excellent and safe pathways (of varying surfaces) along rivers, through farmlands and in parklands. The route allowed us to enjoy some wonderful smaller towns and villages. The scenery was spectacular. The route also offered us opportunities for some interesting stops so that we could enjoy the local history, architecture, culture, foods and people.

      What was the date of your tour?
      September 3 - 13
      How many tours have you completed?
      4
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 4/5 Value
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 4/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • Orange50 September 28, 2019

      Relaxing easy route

      What was the date of your tour?
      September
      How many tours have you completed?
      3
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      First-time bike tourists
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 4/5 Value
      • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 3/5 Hotels or boat
      • 3/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 4/5 Route selection
    • Terry 56 September 25, 2019

      Enjoyable

      The trip met or exceeded all of my expectaions. Some in my group wished there were rest days every 4th or 5th day so they could relax off the bike and sight see more in the towns we slep in.

      What was the date of your tour?
      september 2019
      How many tours have you completed?
      many
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
      • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
    • Lcooper31k July 18, 2019

      Perfect Way to Enjoy the Loire Valley

      This was our first bike tour, and we were a bit apprehensive about everything going well... but it did! The folks at biketours.com were so helpful and responsive, answering all our questions. We did Tours to Angers and it was a beautiful, relaxing (yet challenging!) ride. The bike paths/roads were easy to ride and follow, the rental bikes ride very well, the hotels at each town were superb (mostly old historic small hotels, all with AC), the breakfasts were delicious. But best of all, the scenery riding along the rivers and seeing or at stopping at the chateaus was fantastic. I can’t think of anywhere more perfect to do a bike tour. Directions were adequate, but we used the GPX files throughout the trip. When they took us off of the main Velo route, we really needed that extra technology, but once on the Loire de Velo route, it was very well signposted.One surprise no one told us... we needed to cross a small river using a self-operated ferry. We had no idea how to operate it! Fortunately, we met a Dutch couple who knew how to do it, so we crossed it.

      What was the date of your tour?
      July 2019
      How many tours have you completed?
      1
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      Somewhat harder
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 4/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 3/5 Ease of navigation
      • 1/5 Tour documents
      • 4/5 Local tour company services
      • 4/5 Route selection
    • KneeJerk July 5, 2019

      We went Orleans to Tours (self-guided) and it was lovely. Almost (!) completely level (handful of short challenges), paved path/crushed stone, 95% away from traffic, often shaded. I'm almost 64, in decent but not heroic shape, and it was easy. People very friendly (but not as bilingual as Danube trip, for example); accommodations quite satisfactory. Got quite hot (late June 2019) but that was apparently unusual. Printed materials disappointing -- almost all brochures in French only, no restaurant/bistro suggestions, few recommendations of nearby sites. Maps OK but cue sheets not written by native English speaker; need to download app and follow that way.

      What was the date of your tour?
      June 2019
      How many tours have you completed?
      6
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      Somewhat easier
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 4/5 Value
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 2/5 Tour documents
      • 4/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • Colorado Bill July 2, 2018

      First step to the Atlantic

      We arrived a day early. Orleans was great city. Big church.
      The trip was seamless. Bikes hotels maps road food just what you would expect fro. FRANCE. .... We wish we had taken the time into week 2 or 3 to complete the Loire.
      We will return.

      What was the date of your tour?
      June 24
      How many tours have you completed?
      3
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      Much easier
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 3/5 Value
      • 4/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • Shlomo November 12, 2017

      Great trip in the Loire

      It was my first multi-day bike trip and it was great. All the equipment and instructions were 100% .
      2 comments: No one from the local company met us (so, for example, I couldn't ask how to reset the distance meter). And, there was no mobile number to which I could WhatsApp in case of problem (and I had no local calls package). Other than that it was great.

      What was the date of your tour?
      Oct. 6th 2017
      How many tours have you completed?
      0
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • Photo 1 (photo by Shlomo)
      • Photo 2 (photo by Shlomo)
      • 3/5 Value
      • 4/5 Included meals
      • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 3/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 4/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • JW25 June 27, 2017

      Loire Valley Self Guided Bike Tour

      The trip was so interesting with beautiful scenery and good weather.

      What was the date of your tour?
      May 29/17 to June 8/17
      How many tours have you completed?
      3
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 3/5 Value
      • 4/5 Included meals
      • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 3/5 Ease of navigation
      • 3/5 Tour documents
      • 4/5 Local tour company services
      • 4/5 Route selection
    • CamL June 8, 2017

      Exceptional bike tour

      A wonderful bike trip through beautiful scenery including lovely farmlands and iconic french villages. Plus easy cycling.

      What was the date of your tour?
      May 29-June 6
      How many tours have you completed?
      3
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      Somewhat easier
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
      • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
    • CJ4EY September 27, 2016

      Highly Recommend to Every Cyclist!

      Great Overall Biking Trip. The scenery was splendid and loved cycling up to chateaus. As an intermediate cyclist it was a relatively easy trip. The bikes and navigation signs/written information was the best we've had (and this was our 6th trip.)

      What was the date of your tour?
      Sept 6, 2016
      How many tours have you completed?
      6
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      Somewhat easier
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 4/5 Value
      • 4/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • MelE August 18, 2016

      Tours to Angers

      What was the date of your tour?
      August 7-12
      How many tours have you completed?
      none
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 3/5 Value
      • 3/5 Included meals
      • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 3/5 Hotels or boat
      • 4/5 Scenery
      • 3/5 Ease of navigation
      • 4/5 Tour documents
      • 2/5 Local tour company services
      • 3/5 Route selection
    • Granny Annie July 18, 2016

      Perfect Family Trip

      We were a family of 12 ranging in age from 11 to 86. It was PERFECT! Wonderful hotels, fantastic food, a beautiful trail, good bikes, short rides each day so we could enjoy the features along the way like the chateaux and the Magic Museum in Blois.

      What was the date of your tour?
      July 1-8
      How many tours have you completed?
      Lots
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • Planning the Day (photo by Granny Annie)
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 4/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 4/5 Route selection
    • Jonathan M July 1, 2016

      Amazing ride along the Loire!

      We loved the tour. It is relatively easy riding along very well marked trails, so the navigating is much simplified. The route follows dedicated bikepaths or very sleepy country roads with few cars. The French countryside is beautiful, and there are many interesting places to stop. Friendly people and delicious food, too.

      What was the date of your tour?
      June 2016
      How many tours have you completed?
      6
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      Somewhat easier
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 4/5 Tour documents
      • 4/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection

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