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Self-guided trip: Start
your tour any day April 1 through October 31. 5 nights/6 days Easy ride: 30 km (approx. 19 miles) daily on easy terrain. Trip starts from Tours and ends in Langeais. Tours is a 2 hours train ride from Paris. Accommodations in 2- and 3-star properties. From 595 Euros per person based on double occupancy. Level: 2 (Easy) |
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Our e-newsletter.
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Cycling and a bit of Canoeing - Like Royals: Nature & Castles - 5 nights/6 days |
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| Itinerary | ||||||
| Day 1: Arrival in Tours You may arrive in Tours at your leisure; however, we suggest an early arrival to ensure you thoroughly enjoy this historical city. Tours is very well serviced by France’s high-speed TGV trains from Paris. A trip from the Paris Charles de Gaulle Train Station to Tours will take less than 2 hours by train, and your first place of stay is a mere 10-minute walk from the central train station. The hotel’s location will allow you to easily walk through the city center and relax in this lively university town. Be sure to visit the stunning St. Gatien Cathedral and the city’s botanical gardens. |
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| Day 2: Tours to Villandry (approx. 22 km/ 13.7 miles) After breakfast, you’ll meet with our local representative (around 9:30 a.m.) who will go over the itinerary with you and outfit you with your rental bikes. No question will be left unanswered! Following your meeting, you’re free to travel at your own pace. You'll travel mainly on bike paths along the Cher River, all the way to Villandry. Using your detailed route notes and suggested places of interest, feel free to stop wherever you’d like. Most riders choose to stop at the "Grottes de Savonnieres" before checking out the widely acclaimed “jardins à la française” of the Château de Villandry. Many people consider the gardens of this estate to be the most impressive of renaissance-style gardens in France! You’ll stay in Villandry for the night. |
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| Day 3: 2
Options: Canoe from Savonnieres to Brehemont (approx. 17 km/ 10.6
miles) and bike from Brehemont to Azay-le-Rideau (approx. 12 km/ 7.5
miles), OR bike from Villandry to Azay-le-Rideau (approx. 34 km/ 21
miles) Today’s a day of options! For those who are interested, we'll pick you up from your hotel and drive you to Savonnieres for an exciting canoe ride to Brehemont. It is here that we’ll have transported your bicycles for you to continue your journey to the destination city of Azay-le-Rideau. Note: if canoeing doesn’t interest you, the bike ride is no less exciting, as you'll find yourself cycling through scenic apple and pear orchards to the destination of Azay-le-Rideau. An optional loop will allow you to visit Balzac's castle and ride through a village known for its basket-making craftsmanship. With whatever method you choose to reach Azay-le-Rideau, once you arrive, you’ll be able to visit its stunning chateau. The chateau of Azay-le-Rideau was one of the earliest from the French Renaissance period and was built directly on the Indre River. You’ll stay overnight in Azay-le-Rideau. |
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| Day 4: Azay-le-Rideau to Chinon (approx. 29 km/ 18 miles) This "refreshing" ride will lead you through the “Foret de Chinon,” or Chinon forest. On this day, the terrain is slightly more rugged and challenging than what you’ll have experienced thus far. After emerging from the forest, you will reach the famous medieval city of Chinon, which is situated on the banks of the Vienne River. It was here that the influential Renaissance writer, Francois Rebelais, hails from. Wine-lovers rejoice! This city is held in high regard for its red wines, particularly the Cabernet Franc varieties. Notable wine domains include Couly-Dutheil and Charles Joguet. Sit down and enjoy a glass after a pleasant day of cycling. You’ll stay overnight in Chinon. |
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| Day 5: Chinon to Langeais (approx. 41 km/ 25.5 miles) Today you’ll experience cycling through the “bocage,” which refers to a type of terrain consisting of rolling hills, scattered with small forests and pastures. You’ll cycle through this charming landscape on small, country roads and bike paths all the way to Langeais. On your way, you’ll ride by Avoine, where you can enjoy a refreshing moment at its aquatic center. On this day, you may also choose to stop and take a moment to enjoy the breathtaking Château de Rigny-Ussé, a scene which inspired Charles Perrault’s famous tale, Sleeping Beauty. As you continue onwards, you’ll reach Langeais. If you had chosen the canoe option on Day 3, you surely spotted the castle that’s located in this town. It is here, in Langeais, that you’ll spend the final night of your tour and reflect on what an amazingly picturesque journey you have just experienced! |
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| Day 6: Departure Following breakfast, you may depart at your leisure. |
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| Booking & Pricing | ||||||
From 595 euros per person based on double occupancy.
This price include:
This price does not include:
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| For further information or reservations: Please book online at your earliest convenience as this trip is subject to hotel availability. Our e-mail address: info@cyclomundo.com |
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