Loire Valley Classic

The amazing architecture with the backdrop of the powerful river combine to make this one of France's best loved areas. As usual, we take you along quiet roads whilst still visiting the well-known sights as well as some just as fine less-visited ones. The name actually refers not only to the area of the Loire itself, but also the Indre, Loir, Vienne and Cher. Seeing so many beautiful buildings can lead to ‘chateau burnout’ so we have tried to include other places of interest, as well as some fine cycling along pretty roads through the vineyards, cornfields and forests. 

The Loire Valley could have been invented for a cycling holiday as it has all the important ingredients; lots to see, fantastic countryside and a good climate. The topography is sympathetic to riding a bike and whilst there are a couple of longer days these are not hard riding - this trip has been enjoyed by many people with no previous cycling experience.

As well as the famous chateaux we aim to show you other aspects of this lovely region often by-passed by the coach loads of tourists on fixed timetables to get to the next chateaux and cross it off on the list; the vineyards, the troglodyte caves and the forests and the pretty small villages are just some of those attractions off the beaten track.