Ride along the Loire from Tours to Saumur
Passing by Villandry, Azay le Rideau and Chinon
Highlights
Tours, Old Town, Royale street
Villandry, the castle and its 16th century garden
The castles of Azay-le-Rideau, Ussé, Montsoreau, Saumur ...
The royal abbey of Fontevraud
The troglodyte village of Turquant
In the Valley of the Kings
From Tours, this long weekend will take you to Saumur with 4 beautiful days of cycling.
Discover the Loire by bike.
After a visitng the historic districts of Tours, join the banks of the Cher. On the banks of this tributary of the Loire, you will cross the “Garden of France”. Name given to the region due to the excellent geographical and climate conditions that favored the production of fruits and vegetables for all the Kingdom. Today it’s a classified region: the Regional Natural Park Loire-Anjou-Touraine.
Before arriving in Azay-le-Rideau and its castle for the night, stop at the gardens of the Villandry Castle. The different flower beds and the decorative vegetable garden compositions are a great subject for great photos!
From the banks of the Cher you will go to those of Indre and Vienne and arrive in Chinon. Climb to the city fortress, the panorama on the valley is a beautiful reward.
By bicycle, you reach the Loire which will lead you to one of the most beautiful villages in France: Candes Saint-Martin. At the end of its charming little streets, you will arrive in front of the Montsoreau Castle. The dungeon overlooking the Loire is a beautiful building!
A little extra effort and you will soon be at the gates of the Fontevraud Abbey.
You will then be in the vineyards of Anjou: red wines, white wines, sparkling, sweet… A wide variety of PDOs (Protected Designation of Origin) to discover among the many winemakers who open their cellars for tastings. But don’t overdo it, you will still have a few kilometers to go to get to the final destination of this long bike ride: Saumur.
Easy or 
Leisure From LANGEAIS to CHINON 32km 173m 
Following the direction of the current, along the route of the Loire by bike, you continue in a westerly direction. You will enjoy discovering a castle, a dovecote, a picturesque manor house, old water mills, a curious farm or an old town. As you approach Rigny-Ussé, you will momentarily step away from the banks of the Loire to contemplate the castle of Sleeping Beauty. In this discovery of the secrets of the Loire Valley you arrive at the Royal Fortress of Chinon; its visit is particularly interesting and the view over the Vienne valley and the roofs of Chinon unique!
From CHINON to FONTEVRAUD L’ABBAYE 27km 111m
You leave Chinon and the Vienne will guide you to Candes-St-Martin where it flows into the Loire. Most beautiful villages of France, Candes-Saint-Martin and Montsoreau are dazzling villages where the tuffeau stone of Touraine is king. Sites to see at the end of the day: The castle of Montsoreau then the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud.
- For a few more km 42km 291m
For the long version, you will pass through beautiful landscapes with typical architectural buildings surrounding you. You can see the medieval castle of La Roche-Clermault, the place of inspiration for the artist Rabelais, whose museum is located in Seuilly. The museum retraces the highlights of his life and has been awarded the “Maison des Illustres” and “Musée de France” labels.
From FONTEVRAUD L’ABBAYE to SAUMUR 17km 158m
The first stop of this small stage is the village of Turquant: kilometers of galleries dug in the tuffeau stone; this is the opportunity to see some troglodyte dwellings that are still inhabited. Along the arms of Loire then on the wine hillside, you reach the Saumur Castle and its Panorama which are the gateway to this charming city.
- For a few more km 38km 320m
Between cellars and mushroom farms, in this long version full of discoveries in both taste and landscape, you will arrive in Brézé. Here is a castle with surprising underground passages that welcomes you. Then through the vineyards, it is the Saumur Castle and its Panorama that are the gateway to this charming city.
Essential Range
You want to enjoy your itinerary without anything fancy. Our ”essential” range offers a simple accommodation for a good night’s rest in a simple hotel, guesthouse, rest house or hostel.
Starting from 510€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices
Comfort Range
Our quality standard at Abicyclette. This type of accommodation includes 2 and 3 stars hotels. Depending on the itinerary, you might spend some nights in approved guesthouses. You enjoy a double bedroom with private bathroom and toilet and adapted welcome for you and your bikes.
Starting from 625€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices
Privilege Range
Opt for total comfort in charming 3 and 4 star hotels which offer all the services you need and a special welcome for you and your bikes.
Quote on request | Contact us
Price includes
- Accommodation: 3 nights in a Double room
- 3 breakfasts
- Luggage transfer
- Phone assistance 24/7
- Access to our exclusive travel application to follow your route, inform you about places of interest, restaurants, facilitate your assistance in case of emergency, find all your travel documents and our practical advice.
- Application fee
- Taxes
- The trip itineraries available on the following supports:
- Loan of a Bicycle GPS uploaded with full itinerary of the trip
- Topo maps
- Cycling practical guide including restaurant recommendations for lunch & dinner
- Day 1 : A personalized greeting with our team at the beginning of the trip to receive your travel documents
Price does not include
- bike rental (see option)
- Breakfast on day 1
- Lunches
- Dinners not included in "Price includes"
- Drinks, visits & other personal expenses
Homemade and fully tested itineraries
- Routes selected for their cycling and touristic interest entirely tested and away from traffic
- Accomodations selected for their hospitality, atmosphere, services and quality meals
- A flexible organisation to suit you needs and wishes: You choose the date you want to you leave on! We check the availability of each accomodation to make sure it is possible.
Close assistance
- One of our guides greets you on your first day. He will hand out all the needed documents for the trip (hotel vouchers, maps of the area,GPS, practical guide), get you settled on your bikes (for rental bikes).
- Phone assistance, you can reach the Abicyclette team whenever you need
- A Luggage transfer service which respects your hours of rest (we pick them up after 10:00 and deliver them before 16:00)
Follow your itinerary anyway you like – modern, practical, traditional
- We loan you a GPS so that you can easily follow your itinerary without having to look for your way around (bike support included)
- A practical cycling guide with all the useful information (addresses, highlights for the day, topo maps, and touristic information)
You can also
- Rent a high end quality bike for real comfort, cycling pleasure and reliability a long trip requires.
- Suscribe to a Cancelation or Multi Risk insurance policy which cover you in case something unexpected comes up.
On our guided tours (for groups on demand), we accompany you every step of the way
- One of our state qualified instructor and professional cycling guide accompanies you every step of the way
- Full board (all meals covered unless asked otherwise)
- A picnic buffet set up for lunch with a wide choice of fresh and local produce
We offer a high-end bike rental service. Our bikes are suited for road and gravel road long-distance cycling. Fully equipped and highly reliable, they are faithful travel companions.
Touring bikeAn upright and easy going position Mixed aluminum frame, telescopic fork. Straight handlebars. Disc brakes. Transmission Shimano 24 to 30 speeds. Supplied equipment per bike
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Trekking bikeA layed out and dynamic position Mixed aluminum frame, telescopic fork. Straight handlebars. Disc brakes. Transmission Shimano 24 to 30 speeds. Supplied equipment per bike
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EbikeWith an autonomy of almost 120km, cycling has never been so easy! Supplied equipment per bike
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Children BikeRecommended bike size (to be confirmed when booking) :
Supplied equipment per bike
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Bike trailerThule Chariot Cross 2 Supplied equipment per bike
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Getting here
Departure city : TOURS
Coming by car
- at 2h30 from PARIS
- at 3h30 from BORDEAUX
- at 4h30 from LYON
Coming by train
- Tours train station - 1h30 from Paris
- Saint Pierre des Corps train station - 1h from Paris
Coming by plane
- Tours airport
Arrival city : SAUMUR
Coming by car
- at 3h15 from PARIS
- at 3h30 from BORDEAUX
- at 5h from LYON
Coming by train
- Saumur train station - 2h30 from Paris
Coming by plane
- Nantes airport
*Parking: Since many of our clients travel by train or plane, we do not include parking in our packages. In addition, many accommodations don’t have the capacity to park a vehicle for the duration of your cycling vacation. So if you’re planning to arrive by car, we suggest you check parking options when you make your reservation. If you reserve a parking space at the first or last accommodation of your stay, you must pay the accommodation provider on site.
* Abicyclette Voyages accompanies you on demand, including transportation solutions.
How to get back to the starting point
- By train from Saumur to Tours in 55 min (hotline)
- Return by car in 0h00 to your starting point
- Private shuttle: see detailed fares or contact us
Recommended equipment
Bike
- Hybrid Bike or Touring Bike or Gravel Bike
- 18 to 30-speed transmission
- 26- to 29-inch wheels
- Tires: 35 to 42 section, reinforced against punctures
- Disc brakes recommended
- 2 bottle cages
- Bell
- Front and rear lighting
Clothing and equipment
- Helmet (supplied with bike rental unless otherwise specified locally)
- 1 bike mount for smartphone to use the mobile route planner application
- Suitable cycling clothing:
- bib, shorts or tights: elastic and breathable, to facilitate movement and wick away perspiration
- Breathable T-shirts, synthetic or merino wool
- Breathable windbreaker
- Thermal or fleece jacket
- Waterproof jacket
- 1 pair of sunglasses
- 1 pair of cycling shoes
- 1 backpack or 1 or 2 carrier bags
- 1 or 2 water bottles (supplied with bike rental in France)
- 1 lock (supplied with bike rental)
- Technical details, recommended by the team for optimum comfort:
- 1 pair of gloves or mittens, depending on season and destination
- Padded bib (chamois)
- High-visibility vest or fluorescent belt
- Neck warmer and cap
Bike maintenance
- Emergency repair kit: 2 or 3 inner tubes, patches, pump, tire levers, multi-tools
- Maintenance kit: rag, oil, brake pads
Other
- A suitcase for your belongings carried in the vehicle (limited to one per person)
- Street clothes
- 1 pair of evening shoes
- Fleece jacket for the evening
- Toiletry bag
- Telephone and charger
Duration 4 days and 3 nights
Level Easy ou Leisure
Departure date From March 15th to October 31st
Destination
Loire Valley
See detailed prices
Personalized service 
Expert
Fit
From TOURS to LANGEAIS 33km 76m
On the Cher riverbanks you head west to discover the exhilaration of colors and beauty of the gardens of the Villandry castle. You are in the heart of the sixteenth century. The Loire then leads you to Langeais for a night in this lovely little town, facing the castle.
Meeting with our local guide
Before your first ride, meet our local guide at your departure point. This is the perfect time to catch up on the latest practical advice, find out about the addresses and experiences you shouldn’t miss, answer any questions you may have, make the final adjustments to your bike and get your trip off to the best possible start.
For ten more kilometers, you take the road to Azay le Rideau. Known for the photos of its castle reflecting in the water, the castle of Azay le Rideau will charm you and you can enjoy a nice gourmet break in the village.