River Loire bike tour
            

The castles in the Loire and Sologne region are famous all over the world! Not only because the architecture is extremely beautiful, but also because all those castles played an important role in history, there are every year many tourists! There are captivating stories about these castles, with intrigues, loves stories and complots with a dramatic end. The mix of history and art makes the Loire castles so attractive. We also need to add the beautiful landscapes, estates, surprisingly nice gardens and valleys with wine yards.

Departures:
Arrival: every Saturday and Sunday from 31st of March till 21st of October (last arrival) 2012
From 04 July till 23 August 2012 also on Wednesday and Thursday.
 

• Access: Airport Paris (Charles de Gaulle) + TGV to Beaugency, transfer to La
• Ferté-Saint-Cyr (€30 per drive, to be booked with the hotel)
  
• Train: TGV to Beaugency, transfer to La Ferté-Saint-Cyr
  
• Highway to Beaugency, + 14 km to La Ferté-Saint-Cyr
  
  

Level: moderate, with some minor hills

Roads: Quiet, mostly paved backroads and bicycling lanes

• Highlights: 
• The famous château de Chambord and many other castles: Cheverny, Chenonceau,...and more
  
• Blois and Montrichard
  
• The beautiful landscape of the Loire valley and the Sologne
  
• Great French cuisine
  
• Lodging in a small castle in Noyers-sur-Cher
  
  

Itinerary description

Day 1: Individual arrival in La-Ferté-Saint-Cyr

2nd day: tour in the Sologne ca. 48 km/30 miles by bike
After a long time of prosperity during the Roman Age, the Sologne became after the fall of the Empire a quite isolated region. From the 11th century, especially monks started to cultivate the area. This was an improvement, but the prosperity of the Roman Age did not come back. Today, the Sologne is a silent place with beautiful nature and a farming region.

3rd day: La-Ferté-Saint-Cyr – Mont-près-Chambord (ca. 35 km or 52 km)
We will cycle along the river Loire, a river that is very important to the French people, especially because of the glorious past. We will meet the river in Saint-Laurent-Nouan, and pass nice Loire towns like Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire and Muides-sur-Loire. The most special experience will be entering the parc de Chambord and the world famous castle of Chambord. Those who want, can make the tour a bit longer and cycle via Blois, popular thanks to the royal castle and the cathedral.

4th day : Tour to Chaumont and Parc de Beauregard ca. 59 km/37 miles
The castle of Chaumont was once the setting of an intrigue between Catharina de Medicis and Diane de Poitiers, who both loved king Henri II. Knowing this can make a visit of this castle only more exiting. In Beauregard, you can enjoy visiting the castle and its portrait gallery. Beauregard owes its popularity also to the beautiful castle park.

5th day: Mont-près-Chambord – Noyers-sur-Cher ca. 57 km/36 miles
This nice cycling tour will bring us via Chitenay to the town of Pontlevoy. Here, we will have the occasion to visit the abbey of Pontlevoy, with its stunning gothic church. The centre of the town is dominated by the typical rigid 18th century facades. After an unforgettable visit, it is just a small cycle ride to Noyers-sur-Cher.

6th day: Tour to Montrichard and Chenonceau ca. 55 km/35 miles bicycling
Montrichard really looks like a medieval town, thanks to the half-timbered houses. The former donjon is today the ideal place to overlook the region. Except Chambord, the first Loire castle people think about is Chenonceau. This castle is built partially over the river Cher and features a prominent donjon.

7th day: Noyers-sur-cher – La-Ferté-saint-Cyr ca. 59 km/37 miles by bike
Unfortunately, it is already our last cycling day, but it will certainly be an interesting time ! This tour will pass the less well-known, but also beautiful castle of Chéméry. Another castle that can be visited is Cheverny. Almost at the end of this cycling day, we will have the occasion to visit the ‘chocolaterie’ of Bracieux.

8th day : departure after breakfast

 

PRICES SEASON 2012:

	Price per person in Euro
Double room, half-board	595
Supplement single room	215

All taxes are included