Cycling holidays along the Loire

On almost 1000 kilometers, the Loire can be whatever it wants: wild and pristine. From its source in the French Massif Central, the Loire is still wild and dangerous at times. On the way to its estuary in the Atlantic, it takes it easy. On a cycling holiday along the Loire, you cannot avoid the almost 300-kilometer-long Loire Valley. Between Orléans and Angers, you can follow in the footsteps of French history. The French nobility recognized the scenic beauty of the region as early as the Middle Ages. Hundreds of castles and châteaux followed. The Garden of France, as the Loire Valley is known, invites you to enjoy this unique cultural landscape with all your senses. Away from the valley, the Loire also has a lot to offer. Even more relaxation and cycling pleasure! On a leisurely bike & boat tour along the Loire or from Saumur to the Atlantic coast - the Loire is not only France's longest river but also ideal for spending a relaxing and varied cycling holiday.

After all the wonderful impressions on your cycling holiday along the Loire, the regional specialties along the Loire taste even better. Thanks to the expanse of the river basin, you will find countless vineyards along the Loire that produce wines of the most diverse character. Dry white and light red wines, fruity dessert wines, or a quaffable crémant complement the varied cuisine. A wide variety of fish and game dishes, cheese specialties, or tarte Tatin invite you to feast and indulge.

Welcome to the garden of France! From and to Tours, you will experience the most beautiful châteaux in the Loire Valley on your circular tour. One of the countless magnificent castles awaits you at practically every turn. The castles of Chambord, Chenonceau and d'Azay-le-Rideau are among the most famous. Through seemingly endless vineyards, you will reach Fontevraud-l'Abbaye - known for the largest monastic building in Europe. Simple but mighty. Saumur's tufa caves, the Leonardo da Vinci Museum in Clos Lucé in Amboise and the Château du Rivau near Chinon with its remarkable gardens are also worth a visit on your trip.

A cycle tour from Orléans to Saumur promises a similar pleasure. Thanks to the courageous Joan of Arc, Orléans has held a prominent place in the history of France since the Middle Ages. Take a leisurely stroll through the city and relax on the redesigned banks of the Loire with a glass of wine from the Orléans-Cléry region. By the time you have cycled to Saumur, make a detour to the Jardins de Roquelin, take a look at Vieux Tours and let yourself be tempted to dream in the Sleeping Beauty castle Ussé.

Combine the romance of castles with the rugged coasts of the Atlantic. In eight days, your cycle tour takes you along the Loire from Tours to the estuary at Saint-Nazaire. After Angers, you leave the Loire Valley. Enjoy the untamed Loire, unspoiled nature, past sandbanks and vineyards. In Nantes you can already smell the sea. Jules Verne's birthplace and former capital of Brittany is now a lively cultural and student city.