Hotel l'Adresse, Tours
Hotel L'Adresse offers a comfortable and modern retreat in the heart of Tours, blending contemporary design with friendly service for an unforgettable stay.
Only 1 hour south of Paris lies a region that since the Renaissance has been a favorite of kings and the aristocracy; the Loire River valley is dotted with fine châteaux, vineyards, and some of the most beautiful (and gentle) cycling routes in France. Our tour visits the most magnificent chateaux, the extraordinary gardens of Villandry, but also leaves time to explore the subtler aspects of a region that has much to offer.
Only Great Explorations:
- Small groups, extraordinary guides, and authentic experiences
- A sumptuous picnic on the grounds of one of the Grand Château
- Order off the menu at restaurants you won’t find in guidebooks
- Distinctive, charming hotels too small for larger groups
- We design and operate our own trips so there are only good surprises
Loire Valley Biking
Tours
Tours, France
Starting Location
Amboise
Amboise, France
Day 2+3
Veigne
Veigné, France
Day 4
Chinon
Chinon, France
Day 5+6
Azay-le-Rideau
Azay-le-Rideau, France
End Location
Trip Inclusions
What’s Included
- Services of one or more experienced Great Explorations guide(s)
- Support vehicle
- 6 nights lodging
- All breakfasts, 2 lunches, and all dinners but 1
- Entrance fees for selected historical sites and museums
- GPS routes and maps
- All baggage transportation
- All transportation from initial meeting point to final drop-off
What's Not Included
- Bike rental
Particulars
Departure Dates
| 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|
| May 11-17 | May 10-16 |
| May 25-31 | May 24-30 |
| Jun 1-7 | May 31- Jun 6 |
| Jun 7-13 | Jun 6-12 |
| Sep 6-12 | Sep 5-11 |
| Sep 13-19 | Sep 12-18 |
Trip can start at any date. Self-guided and custom trips also available. Call or email for details.
Trip Size
4-16 participants
Total Days
7 days / 6 nights
Arrive/Depart
Tours / Azay-le-Rideau
Activity Level
Moderate
30-55 km daily (20-40 miles)
Van supported
Terrain
3 days flat, 2 days with gently rolling hills
Cost
Land Cost
US $3,150
Includes: 6 breakfasts / 2 lunches / 5 dinners
Single Supplement
US $800
Bike Rentals
Hybrid Bikes: US $320
Racing Bikes: US $420
E-Bikes*: US $480
*E-bikes are generally available but are on an ‘on request basis ‘ and will be confirmed on receipt of your booking registration. E-bikes provided are the best rentals available in the region. Our regular fleet of hybrid and racing bikes are fun to ride and light and fast, but if having an e-bike will make your trip, we’ll do our best to provide. E-bike rentals are non-refundable.
Please note: Final itinerary is subject to revision; any changes made are done so in an attempt to provide the best possible trip given route conditions and available services. Due to the nature of our business and exchange rates, prices are subject to change. All prices quoted are U.S. dollars but we gladly accept payment in Canadian dollars also. Due to cancellations and waiting lists, trip availability fluctuates daily. If you have any questions or would like to confirm space on this trip before making your reservation, please contact us at info@great-explorations.com or by telephone at 604.730.1247
Getting There
For those arriving via Paris, most international flights land at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). The easiest way to reach Tours is by TGV high-speed train from the airport’s TGV station. Direct trains run to Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, the TGV station serving Tours, and take just under 2 hours.
If you plan to spend some time in Paris beforehand, you can depart from Gare Montparnasse, where direct trains to Tours or Saint-Pierre-des-Corps take about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
1
Day 1
Tours
Your hotel stay is included on the day of arrival. At 4 p.m., we’ll have a walking tour of the historical district, followed by dinner at a favourite bistro at 7 p.m.
2
Day 2
Amboise
Cycling from Tours, we’ll ride east along a quiet road winding through vineyards to Amboise, with its impressive castle and charming village. Leonardo da Vinci lived here and we’ll visit the museum in his former home.
Distance & Elevation: 37km, 291m, or 75km, 600m
3
Day 3
Amboise
On our second day in Amboise, we’ll cycle to Chenonceaux where we’ll enjoy a guided visit of one of the most magnificent châteaux in France.
Distance & Elevation: 34km, 300m, or 58km, 460m
4
Day 4
Montbazon
Riding west, we’ll stop for lunch at a curious castle whose owner has a passion for growing tomatoes – his garden boasts 500 varieties. We’ll enjoy lunch here before continuing through forests and sunflower fields, making our way to Montbazon. Here we’ll stay at a former mill transformed into a charming hotel with an outstanding restaurant. A long option on this day will offer a chance to ride to the beautiful gardens of Villandry.
Distance & Evelation: 42km, 314m
5
Day 5
Azay-le-Rideau
Following one of the tributaries of the Loire, we’ll enjoy some of the best riding in the region, stopping to visit Château de Saché, where the writer Balzac resided. In Azay-le-Rideau we’ll visit the impressive château that is the “jewel of the Loire Valley”, followed by a sumptuous picnic nearby. In Azay-le-Rideau, we’ll stay in the medieval center at a warm and welcoming hotel.
Distance & Elevation: 38km, 270m, or 57km, 355m
6
Day 6
Azay-le-Rideau
On our last day of cycling there are options to cycle past popular vineyards along quiet cycling roads or a longer option to Richelieu. As on all of our trips, we’ll have a celebratory feast at a distinctive restaurant near our hotel for final night.
Distance & Elevation: 37km, 173m, or 72 km, 442m
7
Day 7
Depart
Depart at your leisure from Azay-le-Rideau train station.
Le Clos d'Amboise, Amboise
This 16th century manor house is situated in a large French-style landscaped park with a pool and fountain, enclosed by ancient stone walls in the heart of the old town. The spacious rooms offer the highest standards in comfort and ambience with original wood flooring, fireplaces and ancient paneling. Enjoy breakfast in the Rabelais room boasting period woodwork and a unique 18th century Versailles wood floor.
Logis du Lievre d'Or, Montbazon
This property is a comfortable and cosy B&B with lush gardens. Friendly owners, a nice swimming pool and located just minutes from the fortress of Montbazon.
A l'Ombre d'Azay, Azay-le-Rideau
Located in front of the Town Hall in the heat of Azay-le-Rideau, close to the castle and walking distance to shops and restaurants, this property was formerly a winery, with cellars from the 16th C.
Tour Reviews
The Loire Valley trip was absolutely spectacular. The guides were very professional and all aspects of the trip exceeded my expectations. I’ve already referred Great Explorations to other friends and hope I have an opportunity to book again and return.
We knew that it would be a good trip but we were blessed with our incredible guides, Veronika and Adrien who knew the terrain so well, who went that extra bit to ensure that everything was ideal for us, and we had fabulous weather.
First velo experience, wonderful !
Well organized and guided. We discovered places we would not on our own.
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