France: Loire Valley

DAY 2
Chissay to St. Ouen-les-Vignes; 27km/17mi Gentle pedaling along the banks of the Cher brings you first to the superb Château de Chenonceau, its famous arches majestically spanning the river. Described by Flaubert as floating “on air and water,” it’s arguably the most beautiful of all the Loire landmarks. You may choose to have lunch here, perhaps on the terrace of the Orangerie restaurant, before heading off through the shady Amboise forest and on to Amboise. If you don’t have time to explore the castle thoroughly, you can easily come back tomorrow. Your final stretch leads to the elegant village of St. Ouen-les-Vignes and a gem of a hotel beside the river. A warm welcome and fine wine and dining are served up by the husband-and-wife team of professional sommelier and artistic chef de cuisine. Hotel L'Aubinière, St. Ouen-les-Vignes

DAY 3
Layover at St. Ouen-les-Vignes It’s just a 5-km ride south to the narrow bustling streets of Amboise. Here, you visit the flamboyant royal palace and the elegant Clos Lucé, a 15th-century manor house where Leonardo da Vinci lived and worked for the last few years of his life. His workshops house 40 giant models of some of his most spectacular creations—the first plane, helicopter, and tank—and the beautifully landscaped gardens bring life to his botanical drawings and geographical designs. Or you may opt to take an easy spin along the River Cisse to the wine capital Vouvray. Wine-tasting possibilities abound, and you can also visit the Château de Valmer, where King Charles VII once stayed. Hotel L'Aubinière, St. Ouen-les-Vignes

DAY 4
St. Ouen-les-Vignes to Chitenay; 37km/23mi or 43km/27mi Today offers a choice of routes depending on how far you want to ride. The shorter option takes you via the sleepy village of Limeray with its picturesque white church with and impressive collection of statues, or you can head north through open countryside to Autreche, where wildlife is plentiful, so keep the binoculars handy! All cyclists then continue on to Chaumont—the spectacular château that once belonged to Catherine de Medici. Between May and October, it hosts the International Garden Festival with a different theme each year. A final shady riverside stretch takes you via the pretty villages of Les Montils and Seur and on to Chitenay, your home for the next two nights. Auberge du Centre, Chitenay

DAY 5
Layover at Chitenay The 17th-century château at nearby Cheverny, with its wonderful white stone façade, is a popular day trip. The richness of its furnishings and antiques is breathtaking, and the gardens are superb. This château was used by Hergé, the author of Tintin comic books, as a model for the fictional Moulinsart castle, and a permanent exhibition is open for viewing. A longer option, a 50-km round trip, includes the magnificent château de Chambord. Set in the heart of the huge Forêt (forest) de Boulogne, this 16th-century masterpiece looks as if it is straight from a fairy tale, and reflects the lavish tastes of its original owner, King François I. Today, the surrounding park has been declared a national nature reserve, protecting a range of wildlife, including deer, boar, and eagles. Auberge du Centre, Chitenay

DAY 6
Chitenay to Chissay; 31km/19mi This morning you head south past well-tended vines and sleepy hamlets surrounded by fields of sunflowers. You may choose to have lunch under the umbrellas on the terrace beside the fortified château of Fougèrs-sur-Bièvre, before an exhilarating descent takes you to the River Cher. The charming old quarter of medieval Montrichard is huddled beneath the 11th-century keep, with plenty of beautifully restored half-timbered houses as well as outdoor cafés to choose from. A final flat stretch of road follows the Cher back to Château du Chissay for a well-earned dip in the hotel’s pool! Château de Chissay, Chissay-en-Touraine

DAY 7
Departure from Blois A transfer is provided to the Blois train station after breakfast where you can make connections for your onward travels.

Itinerary Changes: Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual walks and sites may vary due to season, special events, or weather. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.