"We chose the Loire Valley tour which is beautiful scenery and the Castles are unbelievable. This was our first trip abroad and Discover France made it so easy and stress-free: I would highly recommend them and use them again for another Cycling Vacation."
- D. Lingle, Loire

This is a self guided cycling tour, but you are not alone! Learn more!
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Tours > Multisport Tours> Loire Chateaux

Loire Chateaux Hiking Tour

The Loire Valley has seen many of France's kings pass through its regions, the "valley" is known as the Kings Valley. It is probably most famous for the King Francois Ier who was under the crown during the building of some of the most extravagent castles during the renaissance. However, many of the castles in the Loire date from the Medieval period and some even before. Listed as a Unesco World Heritage site, the valley offers so many chateaux, mansions, churches, and abbeys that a visitor can't possibly see it all! On this tour from Blois you will travel past Amboise visiting numerous chateaux and historical sites including Blois, Chambord, Cheverny, Chaumont, Amboise, Chenonceau! The hiking is mostly over flat terrain and encompasses some vineyards, low river lands, and forests.

Blog Articles about the Loire Region:

Loire Valley Wine | 5 Things You Didn't Know About the Loire | 5 Foods to Try in the Loire Region | 3 Must Visit Towns in the Loire |


Tour Details


Maps & Profiles

NOTE: Please click on the profile image to see the complete profile in true relief; the thumbnail version below is automatically made small and this distorts the actual relief of the terrain.

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Itinerary

Click on a day to see that days itinerary.

DAY 1 DAY 2

Day 2 Day 2 Orientation with our local representative at 9.30am, we will transfer you to one of the most recognizable Chateaux of France: Chateau of Chambord. You can visit the Chateau, walk around in the park, and then start your hike from Chambord to Bracieux through the forest. Stay in a charming 2 star hotel in Bracieux, dinner included. (B,D) 10 km hiking.

Chateau de Chambord: is one of the most recognizable chateauxs in the world because of its very distinct French Renaissance architecture that blends traditional medieval forms with classical Italian structures. One of the architectural highlights is the spectacular double-helix open staircase that is the centerpiece of the castle. The two helices ascend the three floors without ever meeting, illuminated from above by a sort of light house at the highest point of the castle. There are suggestions that Leonardo da Vinci may have designed the staircase, but this has not been confirmed.

Hotel de la Bonnheure

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Bracieux

Simple but pleasant 2 star hotel located just outside the Chambord forest in the village of Bracieux...

DAY 3

Day 3: Cheverny. Cheverny. This hike will take you to Cheverny, another famous town because of its Chateau. The present Chateau de Cheverny is an original jewel among the more famous monuments that stretch along the Loire Valley. In fact, Renaissance style did not find its place in Cheverny, which is built in the purest Louis XIII classical style, distinguished by an extraordinarily symmetrical architecture. But Cheverny is primarily known for being an inspiration to Herge, cartoonist and author of Tintin, who drew the castle in his comics as the Chateau de Moulinsart, home to Captain Haddock. We transfer you at 3pm to your 3 star hotel in Ouchamps, dinner included at your hotel. (B,D) 12km

Le Relais des Landes

3

Ouchamps

DESCRIPTION OF HOTEL: (Near Blois) In the center of the Loire castles,in the quiet Sologne, ...

DAY 4

Day 4 Ouchamps to Amboise: In the morning, start your hike from the hotel and cross Chaumont sur Loire village rich in history and a perfect place for walks along the riverbanks. Each year the International Garden Festival is held in the castle grounds. But Chaumont sur Loire is also known for its feudal castle dominating the valley. After your visit of Chaumont, we will transfer you to Amboise, where you will stay tonight. Amboise has a lot to offer and plenty to visit: The Royal Castle, which introduced Italian-style architecture in the 15h and 16th centuries; Clos Luce: last residence of Leonardo Da Vinci, where you can see some of his many projects in different fields. Night in a nice and quiet 2 star hotel, dinner included. (B,D) 9 km

Hotel La Breche

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Amboise

At a distance of 500 yards from the town center in the shadow in the raised garden, this residence d...

DAY 5

Day 5:Amboise free day to explore. You have 3 hiking possibilities today to discover Amboise in details. Amboise has a lot to offer and plenty to visit: The Royal Castle, which introduced Italian-style architecture in the 15h and 16th centuries; Clos Luce: last residence of Leonardo Da Vinci, where you can see some of his many projects in different fields. You stay at the same hotel, dinner on your own (B)

Hotel La Breche

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Amboise

At a distance of 500 yards from the town center in the shadow in the raised garden, this residence d...

DAY 6

Day 6: Amboise to Chenonceaux. Start walking in the forest of Amboise and through farm villages. Then continue your walk to the Cher River and the famous Chateau of Chenonceau, erected by Henry II in the 16th century over the Cher River; and then improved by Catherine de Medicis. Gastronomic dinner is waiting at the hotel tonight! (B,D) 15 km.

Le Bon Laboureur

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Chenonceaux

Le Bon Laboureur is a charming hotel located just a stone's throw from the Chateau of Chenonceau, th...

DAY 7

Day 7: Departure after breakfast. You can take your time with breakfast. Additional nights can be arranged. Transfer back to Saint Pierre des Corps, Tours TGV station, is on your own. (B)



General Tour Information

Loire Chateaux Hiking Tour
6 Nights / 7 Days
Dates 2012
Tour can start any day, based on hotel availability. April through October.


Level - Moderate (2) Flat terrain with some hikes up to 15km- average 12 km/day.

Tour departs any day, based on hotel availability.

Details - Arrival is Blois which is accessible by train from Paris. Departure from Amboise/St Pierre des Corp by train to Paris. Train from Paris. 1hour 40 minutes to Blois, 1 hour return.

Book a Hotel in Loire Valley
What is self-guided touring?

Misc Info - Triples, quad rooms, sometimes available but are limited.

Optional Services:

Travel insurance, Paris museum & metro passes, Paris day tours, Lido shows, and other services. Cell phone rental and luggage storage services.

Note: prices subject to change based upon currency fluctuations. See Booking Terms and Conditions.

What's Included

gps on hiking tours in france

The trip includes:

Included in this package are 6 nights accomodation in 2, 3, and 4 star hotels, all breakfasts, 4 dinners, luggage transfers, taxi transfers as mentionned in the itinerary, orientation upon arrival, local emergency support, roadbook with detailed itineraries, GPS included. We also include travel planning to add Paris hotels, car rentals, France hotels, trains, airport transfers, and more. Note: Son et Lumiere shows are both seasonal and on certain days of the week. Depending on your dates, you may not be able to catch this each time it is mentioned.


To learn more about the road books and GPS units we included, visit this link: GPS & Road Book Details

For hotels included in this tour, please see the Itinerary tab; each hotel is shown for each day.
Additional Night: please inquire.

Tour Rates

Price

- Standard

Double Occupancy

1148 €/person

Triple Occupancy

1028 €/person

Single Supplement:

227 €

***NOTES:

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Photos & Videos

Virtual Tour

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Bike Info



Not applicable on this trip.


You are important to us; so we make you thoroughly prepared and include:
Pre-trip travel documents: you will receive extensive information as a customer prior to your departure, see below. Upon confirmation of your tour we will send you some general information about preparations including passport info, training tips, and reading lists, cell phone rental, travel insurance, and more!

Upon final payment, we will send to you a complete list of documentation by email including Hotel List, contact numbers, itineraries, a packing list, regional information about sites, culture, regional specialities, important towns and historical sites, general France travel information, bike travel tips, vouchers, train travel tips, language phrases, holiday info, tour details, culture and customs tips, and much, much more!

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Loire Valley Biking Tour

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