Overview

Welcome to the Loire Valley! Your guides will meet you at 11:45 AM in the lobby of Hotel Mercure Blois-Centre. After a short shuttle through the countryside, you’ll arrive at our lunch spot and get a first glimpse of the region’s famed castles and Sauvignon Blanc vineyards. Following lunch and introductions, your guides will cover cycling safety and fit you to your Trek bike. Then, begin your first royal ride along quiet, pastoral roads through the Loire's gently unfolding landscape, ending at the newly renovated Relais d'Amboise, our home for the next three nights. Dinner tonight is hosted in the hotel’s restaurant, where elegant French cuisine and seasonal, locally sourced ingredients are celebrated in a refined and tranquil setting.

Overview

Today, you'll pedal through peaceful orchards and fields toward one of the Loire's most beloved sites: Château de Chenonceau. Spanning the Cher River with its unique architectural bridge-like design, this graceful 16th-century estate, often called the “Ladies’ Castle,” was shaped by powerful women and played a key role during WWII as a secret passage into the free zone. After time to explore its lavish interiors and manicured gardens, your guides will help you find the perfect bistro for lunch in the village. Then, head back to Amboise and unwind with a massage, a garden stroll, or a drink on the terrace before regrouping for a seasonal dinner in town.

Overview

Begin the day at a leisurely breakfast before setting out on the Loire à Vélo, the iconic cycling route that traces the river through châteaux country, wildflowers, and quiet villages. Your route carries you into the heart of the Vouvray appellation—one of the Loire's most celebrated wine regions—where a vineyard visit, tasting, and a relaxed lunch among the vines make for an unhurried midday stop. Then it's back in the saddle through open farmland and vine-lined roads before returning to the hotel. Dinner is on your own tonight; your guides can point you toward a favorite terrace bistro or a local gem worth seeking out.

Overview

The Loire à Vélo continues today, this time heading east along the river toward Blois. Anchored by the Château de Blois, whose royal apartments span four distinct architectural periods, the town rewards an afternoon on foot. With your guide's lunch recommendation in hand, the afternoon is yours to wander the old quarter, browse the shops, or take a guided tour of the château itself. Back in the saddle, the ride through the surrounding forest delivers you to tonight's hotel, set at the doorstep of Château de Chambord with views of the royal façade that few people ever see this close. Dinner is at your leisure at the hotel's refined restaurant tonight.

Overview

Wake up to the gentle rhythm of the surrounding forest and set out for a day steeped in history and grandeur. This morning's ride winds through rolling meadows and wooded areas back into the forested heart of Parc de Chambord, the largest enclosed park in Europe. Here, the majestic Château de Chambord appears, an icon of French Renaissance architecture. Commissioned by François I in 1519, the château impresses with its intricate façade, expansive grounds, and Leonardo da Vinci’s ingenious double-helix staircase. After a leisurely lunch nearby, a private guided tour reveals the castle’s hidden details and centuries of royal intrigue. Then, take the afternoon to explore at your own pace before being warmly welcomed for a social hour at the hotel before heading to a nearby restaurant and celebrate the week with one last exceptional dinner.

Overview

As our journey draws to a close, join your guides for an early morning ride through the forest around Chambord. Alternatively, enjoy some restorative time at the spa or choose to sleep in and relax over a relaxed breakfast at the hotel. You will bid farewell to your guides at the hotel at 11:00 AM and board a quick shuttle to Blois train station where you can take a train to Paris or other destinations.