With Loire Valley Breaks cycling  holidays, we don't have standard breaks - we prefer to design a personalised, flexible holiday which suits your needs and wishes.

All holidays include the use of bikes for all ages, emergency back-up and our friendly service and local knowledge to help ensure your holiday is perfect.

Your self-guided cycle rides will be easy to follow with our route packs, including large-scale maps, detailed route notes and information on places of interest along the way.

The Routes

Most cycling holidays are linear with several overnight stop-offs – to ensure you get to see a wide variety of places on your holiday.  Our holidays are different -  our central location means you can do this from one base – no luggage transfer, no living out of saddle bags, and no problem if you want a day off to explore the area by car or train – you don’t have to cycle to make it to your bed for the night!  

Our routes travel through the vineyards, along the Loire, past châteaux, exploring local forests, villages and historical towns - cycling at your own pace, stopping as and when you want - you will discover the area's rich heritage and warm welcome.  The routes take you on quiet roads and lanes - often using specially designed way-marked cycle routes - which meander through the local countryside, through villages to provide café/bar stops, or maybe a boulangerie for your lunchtime provisions.

Samples of our  routes are listed below - including some of the highlights easily reached on a day’s ride from our base and are grouped in distance order.  Of course, you can mix and match between distances or we are happy to amend any itinerary and mileage to suit your own preferences or design an entirely individual schedule just for you.   

We always remember that you are on holiday - it's not the Tour de France! - and so don't suggest routes that will overstretch your group. Each route is designed to have you pedalling for 3 (maximum 4) hours across the day – still leaving you plenty of time for visits, coffee/ice cream breaks and the mandatory lazy French lunch break!

25km – 32 km (cycle speed 10km/h)
Trips of this distance are ideal for families with young children who ride independently, or guests who want to ride for a half day and explore further afield by car or train.

Example rides:

Round trip to Parc Maupassant – a magnificent 22ha garden with themed areas, mazes, snack bar and even golf buggies to explore the park in.  In summer you can also visit open air swimming pool to cool off. 25km

Meander through the vineyards to the riverside village and former port of Chouzé sur Loire .  Follow the track along the gorgeous riverside, before visiting the mariners’ museum or taking a ride in a traditional flat-bottomed boat. 25km

Pedal through the forest to a lakeside picnic spot – or enjoy a lazy lunch at the lakeside restaurant.  Return through the Bourgueil vineyards for a spot of tasting and visit the wine museum.  30km

Take a trip over the Loire river to the village of Montsoreau – with its excellent chateau, mushroom cave, visitors’ centre and good range of places to eat, this is a full day out!  Return along the riverside admiring the village from the north bank. 32km

A quick pedal to the local train station for a 10 minute ride brings you to Langeais – a pretty medieval town with impressive chateau (don’t miss the 4 storey tree house in the gardens).  From Langeais either cycle to Villandry – famous for its gardens – or along the river to the canoe depot for a change of pace on the river. 26km to 30km

32km to 45km (cycle speed 12km/h)
Trips of this distance are ideal for families with older children or those on bike seats/tagalongs and groups of adults who want to explore plenty at a gentle pace.

Example rides:

Follow a way-marked route into the market town of Bourgueil.  Explore the extensive stalls to make up a delicious picnic before continuing on the vineyard route.  There are plenty of opportunities to taste and buy wine en-route – we can let you know our favourites, or leave you to discover your own! 35km

Another way-marked route takes you through the forest to the village of Gizeux .  The chateau here is family owned and a family member will escort you round.  Don’t miss the wonderful frescoes painted by art students.  40km

Pedal across the Loire river to the village of Turquant – the artists village here is set in restored caves in the cliff face.  Then cycle along the cliff tops with views right across the valley before travelling through the fascinating remains of a troglodyte village. 40km

Take a route over the Loire into the Chinon wine appellation – plenty of tasting opportunities and also the chance to visit the museum of village life.  Then visit historic Candes St Martin and enjoy the delights of one of the prettiest villages in France .  36km

Cycle through vineyards and along the south bank of the Loire to the town of Saumur -  famous for its sparkling wine (don’t miss a visit to the caves) and equestrian links as well as the chateau.  Relax with a 10 minute train ride before the short pedal home. 36km

45km to 56km  (cycle speed 14km/h)
Trips of this distance are ideal for experienced cyclists comfortable with this distance.

Take a ride through the vineyards, across the Loire and to the fascinating village of Montsore au with its chate au and mushroom cave.  Then head up to Fontevraud abbey – a wonderful visit which includes the tomb of Richard the Lionheart.  46km

Pedal to Chinon – the ride takes you over the Loire and Vienne rivers and through vineyards and villages.  Follow in Joan of Arc’s footsteps as you visit the fortresse in the town centre and maybe taste a little Chinon red wine. 50km

Mixed vistas vineyards, forest and along the river brings you to châte au Rigny Usse – inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty fairytale. On the way home, take a detour to dip your toes in the cooling river Indre. 56km

For the culture vultures, you can take the train to Langeais and visit 3 chateaux in one day.  At Langeais itself is a fine medieval chateau, then along the Loire to Villandry with its magnificent gardens, before travelling to Azay le Rideau with its Renaissance chateau sitting on the Indre river.  54km

If you like to ride longer than this, we can provide routes to suit you for as far as you want!  

"We thought we would struggle with 15kms a day.  Thanks to the wonderful routes and the awesome bikes we were able to smash that target" - Christine, South Africa, September 2011- view more guest comments

Cycling with Children

Our holidays are suitable for all ages, abilities and groups, and we offer plenty of options which make them particularly appealing to families with children.   Click here to find out more about how we cater for families.

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