Loire Valley: Fontevraud Cycling Tour

6 days

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Chinon in France, along the Fontevraud route

Montsoreau Castle along the route in Fontevraud (France)

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Explore the castles, gardens, and wine regions around Fontevraud

The Loire Valley: Fontevraud Cycling Tour invites you to discover the mesmerizing landscapes that form the Loire Valley, with the small town of Fontevraud L'Abbaye as your base. This 6-day self-guided cycling holiday is the perfect way to experience France's Loire Valley on two wheels and at your own pace.

Enjoy the convenience of unpacking only once during this trip, with a comfortable historic hotel as your base in Fontevraud. Fontevraud is home to France's most extensive collection of monastic buildings, making it an ideal place to sightsee on foot and two wheels. Explore the castles, gardens, and unspoiled countryside of the Loire Valley, and hop off your bike to stop at historic towns and ancient sites around Fontevraud.

Customize this cycling adventure by choosing from a wide range of daily routes varying in length and difficulty, allowing you to see the Loire Valley your way! Ride through enchanting woods and fields of yellow sunflowers stretching up the sun as you set out on mesmerizing routes to Chinon, Saumur, and several charming villages along the way. Take in the splendour of the Royal Abbey of Our Lady of Fontevraud and the grand Château de Saumur as you explore these illustrious fortresses on foot. Enjoy a break for lunch in the scenic town of Chinon, posting up on a terrace overlooking the Vienne River with a glass of superb local wine in hand.

This cycling tour of the Loire Valley invites you to embark on an unforgettable journey. Experience this spellbinding region of France for yourself!

Prices

From $625USD

6 days

Difficulty

Self-Guided

Hotel

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Is this tour for me?

We rate this tour a 2/5. You should be comfortable riding up to 50km in a day, but you can customize your route each day to your preferred distance and difficulty. Beyond some basic cycling ability, the tour can be tailored to your activity level. The terrain is almost entirely flat with a few very easy climbs.

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Itinerary
Dates & Prices
Accommodation
Included
FAQ
Tour Operator
Photos
Map

Loire Valley: Fontevraud Cycling Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival

Your tour begins in beautiful Fontevraud L'Abbaye, a small commune in the Loire Valley that will be your amiable base for the duration of the tour.

Once you've settled into your accommodations, head out to explore Fontevraud L'Abbaye, a village that is home to France's most extensive collection of monastic buildings. It goes without saying that the Fontevraud Abbey is an ideal place to begin your exploration of this historic town!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Fontevraud
Distance: None
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 Cycling Loop via Chinon

Your cycling adventure in the Loire Valley begins with the perfect introduction to this breathtaking region. Enjoying a flat route at your own pace, you’ll cruise through lovely woods and fields of sunflowers bursting with colour (when in bloom) towards the historic town of Chinon.

You’ll find the Château de Chinon perched on the bank of the Vienne River here. Hop off your bike to explore the ancient fortress before perhaps stopping for lunch and a glass of local wine. After all, you are in the Chinon wine region!

Return to Fontevraud, completing today’s circuit with a stop at famous French author François Rabelais’ museum on the way if you please.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Fontevraud
Distance: 42km, 216m of ascent, 220m of descent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 Cycle Loop via Saumur

Perched on the wild Loire, you’ll uncover your second majestic riverside chateau today, the grand Château de Saumur. A gorgeous route will lead you to Saumur this morning, where you’ll explore another fantastic wine town. Saumur is not only known for its majestic castle and fine grapes but also its 17th-century church of Notre Dame.

Spend as much time as you’d like in Saumur, then either continue the loop back to Fontevraud or opt to take a boat ride on the Loire River to Montsoreau. From Montsoreau, the ride back to Fontevraud is a mere 4km.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Fontevraud
Distance: 37km, 191m of ascent, 205m of descent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 Cycle Loop via Cadre Noir de Saumur

Hop on your bike to explore the Anjou area's wide-open countryside this morning, an area known worldwide for producing the Chenin Blanc grapes. The route continues to Cadre Noir, with ample opportunities to pause along the way to soak in the peaceful green countryside. Cadre Noir is a center for prestigious horseback riding in France and is also the site of the French military riding academy.

Continue the route through the picturesque valley, enjoying gently undulating hills back to Fontevraud.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Fontevraud
Distance: 49km, 246m of ascent, 244m of descent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 Cycle Loop Around Fontevraud

Today is dedicated to exploring the abbey of Frantevraud (if you haven’t already done so), the intricate gardens, and surrounding villages. Take your time exploring this remarkable town that you’ve called home for the past 5 days, and enjoy discovering its most famous sights and hidden corners.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Fontevraud
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 Departure

Your cycling tour comes to an end following breakfast this morning. With just under a weeks’ worth of memories made on one bike in the beautiful Loire Valley, check out of your accommodations and depart. Au revoir!
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast

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The departure is available on any day of the week. Prices below are per person:

Standard accommodation:

Departure on March 1^st – April 30^th, 2024:

Single room: $1,125 USD
Sharing a double/twin room: $725 USD
Sharing a triple room: $650 USD

Departure on May 1^st – September 30^th, 2024:

Single room: $1,325 USD
Sharing a double/twin room: $850 USD
Sharing a triple room: $825 USD

Departure on October 1^st – 31^th, 2024:

Single room: $1,125 USD
Sharing a double/twin room: $725 USD
Sharing a triple room: $650 USD

Comfort Accommodation:

Departure on March 1^st – April 30^th, 2024:

Single room: $1,375 USD
Sharing a double/twin room: $850 USD
Sharing a triple room: $625 USD

Departure on May 1^st – September 30^th, 2024:

Single room: $1,625 USD
Sharing a double/twin room: $975 USD
Sharing a triple room: $825 USD

Departure on October 1^st – 31^th, 2024:

Single room: $1,375 USD
Sharing a double/twin room: $850 USD
Sharing a triple room: $625 USD

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Accommodation on the Loire Valley: Fontevraud Cycling Tour

This tour is based in a hotel in Frantevraud. The hotel is 3-star and offers basic conveniences that can make your stay more comfortable. During your stay, you’ll have access to the hotel pool, a golf course, and a bar and lounge. You can also upgrade your room category for an extra fee.

In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.

Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
If you are a solo traveller or you prefer a single room, the required supplements are included in the listed price.

Hotels on Standard Tour

Night 1-5

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Hotel La Croix Blanche Fontevraud in Fontevraud-l’Abbaye ★★★

Enjoy this charming historic hotel in a converted country house with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Guests will enjoy a wide array of amenities, including an outdoor swimming pool, an in-house restaurant, and a bar and lounge.

What’s Included in the Loire Valley: Fontevraud Cycling Tour?

Meals

5 breakfasts and 2 dinners are included.

Accommodations

Accommodations for 5 nights are included. Accommodations before and after the tour in Fontevraud are not included but can be added as a supplement.

Transportation during the Tour

Transportation for your luggage are included throughout the tour (1 piece per person). Airport transfers are not included but can be booked in advance as a supplement.

Also Included

Digital route notes and maps
GPS App
Tourist information on all places of interest
Tourist city tax
24/7 emergency phone support

Not included

Travel insurance
Flights
Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
Visas if required

Optional Extras

Bike rental
Additional nights before or after the tour
Airport transfers
Upgrade to deluxe room
Optional activities or excursions
Boat trip to Montsoreau
Printed tour materials (in addition to digital)

Frequently Asked Questions about Loire Valley: Fontevraud Cycling Tour

How hard is the Loire Valley: Fontevraud Cycling Tour?

Do I need a visa to travel to France?

Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.

Are meals included on the Loire Valley: Fontevraud Cycling Tour?

5 breakfasts and 2 dinners are included on this tour.

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover cycling. Get your Travel Insurance.

How do I get to Fontevraud to start this tour?

Fly into Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). From the airport, you can reach Fontevraud by taking a high-speed train to Tours, which takes approximately 1 hour. Then from Tours you can travel to Saumur by train, taking approximately 30 minutes. From Saumur, you can take a taxi to Fontevraud, taking around 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can book a private transfer from the airport as a supplement in advance or arrange your own private transfer.

Where does the Loire Valley: Fontevraud Cycling Tour end?

The tour ends in Fontevraud. You can reach either Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) by taxi and train. First take a taxi to the Saumur train station, then from Saumur to Tours. From Tours, take a final train to the airport. The whole journey should take between 2 and 3 hours. Alternatively, you can book a private transfer to the airport as a supplement in advance or arrange your own private transfer.

Can I rent a bike?

Yes, you can rent a bike during the booking process. Rental bikes are ARCADE Escape Men/Lady 24-speed hybrid bikes or KALKHOFF Voyager 8i e-bikes.

What equipment is included in the bike rental?

The bikes come with a pannier, handlebar bag, spare tube, tools, pump, helmet and lock.

Can I bring my own bike?

Yes. If you bring your own bike, it should be a bike suitable for the demands of the tour.

Do I need special vaccines to travel to France?

Check with your family doctor.

Are there any travel restrictions for France?

Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.

When is the best time to travel to France for this tour?

The best time to travel to the Loire Valley for this cycling tour is during the shoulder seasons of April-June and September-October when the crowds are lighter than during peak summer months.

S-Cape France

With 25 years of experience running walking and biking tours in France, S-Cape France has a team full of energy and fresh ideas. Their multinational team can assist in various languages, and their large collection of itineraries means you’ll be able to find your dream adventure in France.

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Map of Loire Valley-Fontevraud Cycling Tour