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Europe / France / Loire Loire Valley Bike Tour Return to the Renaissance: Vouvray to da Vinci
© 2021 DuVine Adventure + Cycling Co. Cycle through the vineyards of Vouvray and sample Chenin-based wines to single out your preferred style: sec, demi-sec, moelleux, or sparkling Peruse Leonardo da Vinci’s sketches, letters, and war machine replicas at Château du Clos Lucé, where he spent the final years of his life Let the castles of the Loire fill you with wonder, including the fairytale Château de Langeais, over-water gallery of Château de Chenonceau, and whimsical gardens of Château de Villandry Enjoy a Michelin-starred meal at the exquisite Domaine des Hauts de Loire and learn to prepare regional specialties with the chef at Le Clos d’Amboise Arrival Details Departure Details Airport City: Airport City: Paris, France Paris, France Pick-Up Location: Drop-Off Location: St. Pierre des Corps Train Station Blois Train Station Pick-Up Time: Drop-Off Time: 11:30 am 11:30 am
NOTE: DuVine provides group transfers to and from the tour, within reason and in accordance with the pick-up and drop-off recommendations. In the event your train, flight, or other travel falls outside the recommended departure or arrival time or location, you may be responsible for extra costs incurred in arranging a separate transfer.
Emergency Assistance For urgent assistance on your way to tour or while on tour, please always contact your guides first. You may also contact the Boston office during business hours at +1 617 776 4441 or [email protected]. Tour By Day
DAY 1 Welcome to the Loire Valley
Your guides will greet you at the Saint-Pierre-des-Corps train station and whisk you away to the nearby Château Villandry, where our adventure begins. Toast our arrival with a light lunch and the region’s sparkling wine. This château, erected around 1536, and is the last of the large Renaissance châteaux built in the Loire Valley. Wander its extraordinary mazes and elegant water garden, as well as the aromatic herb gardens. We’ll be treated to the unique flavors of ice cream inspired by the garden before cycling to Montbazon and our first luxurious accommodation. We’ll set off on a gently rolling ride along the Cher River and past many fields demonstrating why this region is the breadbasket of France. Arrive at our beautiful hotel, hidden away in the woods above the Cher River. Tonight we dine amidst stunning valley views, prepared by the Château’s own chef.
Meals: Lunch / Dinner Destinations: Tours, Château de Villandry, Savonnières, Ballan-Miré, Veigné Accomplished: 19 miles / 31 km, elevation gain: 600 feet / 183 meters Accommodations: Domaine de la Tortinière or Château d’Artigny
DAY 2 Château de Langeais + Anne de Bretagne
After a nourishing breakfast, we’ll take a short transfer to the village of Artannes where we will begin our ride. Passing through Azay-le-Rideau, a charming village with its own château over the Indre River, we will continue through the countryside towards the medieval castle and town of Langeais. We will enjoy a delicious brasserie lunch in town before discovering this stunning castle seeped in history. After our visit, we will cross back over the Loire River and make our way east on a quiet bike path. Tonight we dine close to our château, in the leafy surroundings of a water mill converted into an excellent restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch/ Dinner Destinations: Artannes-sur-Indre, Azay-le-Rideau, Lignières-de-Touraine, Bréhémont, Langeais, Villandry, Druye Accomplished: 33 miles / 53 km, elevation gain: 856 feet / 261 meters Longer Option: 40 miles / 64 km, elevation gain: 1,102 feet / 336 meters Accommodations: Domaine de la Tortinière or Château d’Artigny
DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications. DAY 3 Back to the Renaissance at Chenonceau
Cycle the beautiful route to Château de Chenonceau! After an energizing lunch, it’s time for a tour of the castle at Chenonceau and its dueling gardens of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. Chenonceau is home to a vast collection of Renaissance furniture and 16th- and 17th- century tapestries and artwork. After the visit, we’ll hop back on the bikes and head towards our next accommodation in Amboise. Take a dip in the pool to cool off before we enjoy a meal altogether in the center of Amboise.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Destinations: Cormery, Veigné, Chenonceaux, Amboise Accomplished: 32 miles / 52 km, elevation gain: 1,296 feet / 395 meters Accommodations: Manoir Saint Thomas or Le Clos d'Amboise
DAY 4 Vouvray Loop
Today’s ride along the scenic, rolling hills amidst the vineyards of the delightfully versatile Chenin Blanc grapes. We’ll break for a gourmet picnic in the gardens of the stunning Château de Jallanges. Then just down the road, we’ll take a tour in the vineyards of Vouvray and enjoy a tasting in our favorite producer’s own troglodyte cellars. This afternoon we’ll take a relaxing ride back towards the river and along our favorite tree-shaded bike path next to the Loire on the way back to Amboise. This evening you are free to enjoy some shopping and exploration of this most charming riverside town as you choose your perfect restaurant for your own dinner tonight.
Meals: Breakfast / Picnic Lunch Destinations: Vouvray, Chançay, Vernou-sur-Brenne, Amboise Accomplished: 22 miles / 35 km, elevation gain: 954 feet / 291 meters Longer Option: 40 miles / 64 km, elevation gain: 1,614 feet / 492 meters Accommodations: Manoir Saint Thomas or Le Clos d'Amboise
DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications. DAY 5 Amboise Through da Vinci’s Eyes
We’ll start the morning with an informative and exciting visit to the once home of Leonardo da Vinci, Le Clos Lucé. He is said to have arrived holding the Mona Lisa and spent the final years of his life in this magical estate. For lunch, tie on your apron as we learn to prepare three beautiful courses with Chef Stephane at Le Clos d’Amboise. Then it’s time to hit the bikes and cycle through the towns of Pocé-sur-Cisse and Limeray, a panorama of rich farmland. Tonight we’ll enjoy a final and unforgettable Michelin-starred dinner at our hotel. Bon appetit!
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Destinations: Amboise, Pocé-sur-Cisse, Saint Ouen les Vignes, Mesland, Onzain Accomplished: 14 miles / 23 km, elevation gain: 531 feet / 162 meters Longer Option: 31 miles / 50 km, elevation gain: 1,266 feet / 386 meters Accommodations: Les Hauts de Loire or Les Sources de Cheverny
DAY 6 Au Revoir
Enjoy a peaceful breakfast at the château and perhaps a stroll through the grounds, saying goodbye to the Loire Valley however you see fit. Your guides see you off at the Blois train station.
Meals: Breakfast
DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications.