Loire Valley Bike Tour: Cycling in France

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • 2 experienced guides with extensive knowledge of the area (bike guide and driver/guide for the support van)
    • 8-day Loire Valley bike tour (6 days of guided cycling tours)
    • Accommodation for 7 nights in stunning 3 and 4-star hotels, including Châteaux hotels (double occupancy)
    • 7 dinners and 6 multi-course dinners
    • Guided tours with local guides according to the itinerary, e.g. Tours & Saumur
    • Sightseeing tours & entrance fees to castles, gardens, and abbeys as mentioned in the itinerary
    • E-bike rental
    • Service station escort bus with transfer possibility and technical support (allowing you to shorten or cancel a bike tour for the day)
    • Luggage transfers
    • All transfers as in the itinerary
    • Tourist and bed taxes
    • CO2 compensation of the program (excluding arrival and departure)

  Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):

  • • Single occupancy room
    • Extra night(s) in Tours
    • Helmet
    • Airport transfers — leave us a note at checkout if needed

  Not included:

  • • Transportation to the meeting point
    • Lunches — your guides will carry a picnic kit and, weather permitting, they will prepare a picnic lunch (the only cost here will be the ingredients), the other option is going to a restaurant
    • Drinks
    • Personal expenses
    • Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
    • Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
    • Guide gratuities — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  To join this Loire Valley e-bike tour, good fitness is required. Over the course of the trip, you’ll cover a total of 288 km (179 mi) by e-bike.

  The most you’ll cycle in a day is 63 km (39 mi). The routes mostly follow small, quiet rural roads, almost all of which are paved. The terrain is largely flat and easy-going, with two days taking you through rolling hills and vineyards. Check the itinerary for day-by-day distances.

  For more cycling adventures in France, click here!

• What do I need to bring?

  It’s advisable to pack clothing suitable for both warm and cooler, possibly unstable weather conditions. There may be potential temperature shifts between morning and evening. Don’t forget to bring a sweater and windbreaker, and be prepared with rain gear as well. Additionally, considering the stylish ambiance of three of the restaurants, we suggest gentlemen bring a jacket for evening wear!

  The climate in the Loire region is characterized by mild temperatures, warm summers, and moderate winters, often likened to a Mediterranean climate. This favorable weather contributes significantly to its renown for fruit and wine cultivation. From April to October, the conditions are perfect for cycling and exploring the region’s natural beauty. It’s advisable to check local weather conditions before your arrival to ensure the best experience.

  • • Comfortable riding or athletic clothing, preferably moisture wicking or synthetic material
    • Clothing for the evening and restaurants (some restaurants are very stylish so a jacket for men is recommended)
    • Sturdy low shoes
    • Windbreaker / rain coat
    • Sweater
    • Sunglasses and sunhat
    • Plenty of water, water bottle or hydration bladder
    • Daypack with snacks
    • Biking gloves are optional but recommended
    • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
    • Day pack large enough to carry all things you might need throughout the day
    • Camera — optional (but recommended)

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• What are the rental bikes like?

  Premium rental bikes are included in the price of your tour. Your guides offer the VELO DE VILLE AEB CLASSIC e-bike, a convenient step-through frame for easy mounting and maximum comfort. Powered by a Bosch motor system (Active Line, Active Line Plus, or Performance Line) and a 400 Wh battery, these bikes offer a reliable range for your daily explorations. They are equipped with a smooth-shifting Shimano drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes, and a suspension fork for added comfort on varied terrain. The durable Schwalbe Delta Cruiser Plus tires provide excellent puncture protection for a worry-free journey.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing

  • • For this Lore bike tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 8:1. There will be one guide cycling with the group and one guide accompanying the tour in a support van.
    • It takes a minimum of 8 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 16 participants.
    • If you’re a solo traveller, you’re welcome to join the tour, but paying for the single occupancy cabin is mandatory. It is not possible to join the tour solo and share the cabin with another guest.
    • In France, there are sometimes only beds with one blanket available. Your guides will do their best to reserve rooms with 2 beds whenever possible, but you should be prepared that grand-lits cannot always be avoided.

  Loire Valley bike tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors older than 16 may be permitted to join the Loire Valley bike tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has cyclists under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Is a single occupancy room available?

  The price for this Loire Valley bike tour is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.

  Solo travelers are welcome to join, but adding the single room surcharge is mandatory—this will be automatically sorted at checkout once you tell us if you’re traveling alone or with someone else.

• Getting there and meeting location

  The starting point of your Loire Valley bike tour is the city of Tours in France. To get there, it’s best to fly into Paris-Orly Airport (ORY) or Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). You can either take the train or rent a car to Tours—it will take you anywhere between 2 and 3 hours.

  You’ll meet your guide at 4 pm on Day 1 in the lobby of the Hotel Chateau Belmont in Tours.

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

  Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  To secure your spot, a deposit in the amount of 40% is required at the time of booking. The remaining amount must be paid no later than 90 calendar days prior to the trip departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. If you cancel the booking…

  • • More than 120 days before the departure date, you are entitled to a refund in the amount of 80% of the full trip price (less the booking fees).
    • 119 to 60 days before the departure date, you are entitled to a refund in the amount of 60% of the full trip price (less the booking fees).
    • 59 to 31 days before the departure date, you are entitled to a refund in the amount of 40% of the full trip price (less the booking fees).
    • 30 to 15 days before the departure date, you are entitled to a refund in the amount of 20% of the full trip price (less the booking fees).
    • 14 to 5 days before the departure date, you are entitled to a refund in the amount of 5% of the full trip price (less the booking fees).
    • Within 4 days of the departure date, no refund will be issued.

  Please note that booking fees are non-refundable in all cases and will be deducted from the refund amount.