Loire Valley Self-Guided Bike Tour

Today’s ride heads west, passing through quiet countryside with vast swathes of vineyards en route to the fortified Château (and wine producer!) of Brézé, before following the course of a small river back towards the Loire. Your lunch destination and halfway point on the ride is Saumur, a bustling town on the banks of the Loire, full of boutiques, cafes, and bistros along with its spectacular castle. As you enter town, you cannot fail to be impressed with the remarkable gold-capped château overlooking you on one side and the river on the other. After lunch you’ll take the low road along the river, passing through some beautiful little villages along the way. This area is famed for its troglodyte dwellings - ancient houses carved into the soft rock of the valley walls - some of which have been repurposed as wine caves or mushroom farms! Take a closer look, or even a taste, at Souzay-Champigny and Turquant on your way back to the hotel. This evening dinner is at your leisure at the restaurant in town that best suits your mood.

Following your morning café and pain au chocolat, head out to the east for a wonderful day of cycling. You will start the ride on the Loire à Vélo, a designated and signed cycling route, heading to the medieval town of Chinon. Be sure to stop and explore the beautiful, cobbled streets and bustling town square, with the imposing fortress overlooking from above. Then pick up the veloroute on the edge of town, a traffic-free path along an old railway line that will take you through quiet countryside where views over vineyards abound. Your destination is Château du Rivau, a truly unique privately owned castle. Unlike a traditional château, Rivau will take you on an amazing journey to the heart of some fairytale gardens. Here all the senses will be awakened with 500 varieties of fragrant roses and an extraordinary vegetable garden, providing produce for the château restaurant. Following this delightful visit, saddle up to head home through some gently rolling countryside, through farmland and vineyards. If you’re looking for more miles, don't miss the detour to Cravant-les-Coteaux, a beautiful little village nestled in a vine-covered valley. Tonight, treat yourself to another meal of your choice in town. The recommendations are at your fingertips.

Having explored the south and east of Montsoreau, today you’ll venture north and east to pay a visit to some of the region's most famous châteaux. Hop over the river, taking in the great view from the bridge before following the Loire à Vélo route through Avoine. The first big stop is Château d’Ussé, said to have inspired Charles Perrault to write Sleeping Beauty and a great spot for some holiday photos against an iconic backdrop. The standard route turns back here, passing through the village of Huismes before another chance to explore Chinon on the way back to Montsoreau. For those taking the avid route, a visit to Azay-le-Rideau is on the cards. This village is home to another of the region's most famous châteaux, dreamily sitting in the middle of the Indre river and creating an illusion of a floating castle. Tonight, take a relaxed stroll in town and find a restaurant of your choice in town. Raise a glass and toast to a fantastic self-guided bike tour in France, full of gentle rides enjoyed entirely at your own pace along the Loire river, through beautiful vineyards that produce excellent wines and a landscape dotted with fairytale châteaux.

On this final day of your self-guided bike tour in the Loire valley, take the morning to explore Montsoreau and capture its beauty in the morning sun. If you prefer to pedal, rise early for a morning loop amidst the vineyards to another of the region's world famous wine towns, Bourgueil. Once back at the hotel, you’ll have enough time to return to your room, shower, and change before you depart. Your Trek Travel host will meet you at 11:00 AM at the hotel to take your bike and say farewell, concluding your self-guided journey.