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- Cooking Vacations in France: Biking and Cooking in the Loire Valley
Biking Through a Loire Valley Wine Tour
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Biking Through a Loire Valley Wine Tour
What could be better than sampling amazing French wines on our Loire Valley wine tasting tours and exploring the area’s famous Chateaux? Try doing it on a bike during this unique and refreshing wine and food tour of Loire Valley.
Among the other most know sites of the Loire Valley are the stunning chateaux that line the banks of the Loire river. This was once playground of nobles, who built fortifications starting from the 10th Century, and later magnificent chateaux to rival those being built by the French Kings. Considered architecturally the cradle of the French Renaissance and Age of Enlightenment, these stunning edifices include lavish gardens, period art and furniture, centuries-old tapestries, and more.
The Loire Valley is a gentle, rolling land, not difficult for biking. For each day’s excursion we can direct you on an “easy” or “intermediate” route according to your wishes.
During your self-guided biking, you will see many of the chateaux in the region. Although they number in the hundreds, and you will visit some of the most iconic during your Loire Valley food and wine tour: the Chateau of Chenonceau, known for its famous former residents and beautiful gardens; the Castle of Amboise, formerly a residence of French Kings and the final resting place of Leonardo da Vinci; the Chateau of Chaumont, first built in the 10th Century, and rebuilt in the 15th Century by Charles I of Amboise.
Your accommodations will be in an elegant 4-star hotel situated in Amboise, a beautiful and historic town in the Loire Valley.
In addition to your exclusive Loire Valley wine tours, during which you can taste of some truly lovely vintages, you will enjoy a cooking class in Tours at a local cooking atelier. For the class you will learn French cuisine with the chef and enjoy it of course with wonderful Loire Valley wines afterwards. These are sure to be some of the highlights of your five days of chateaux visits, biking, Loire Valley France wine tours, and explorations into French cuisine!
White wines abound in the area, and your Loire Valley wine tours may introduce to you wines such as Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Vouvray, and Muscadet. Most Loire Valley wines utilize the Chenin bland, Sauvignon blanc, and Melon de Bourgogne grapes, resulting in a high-quality white wine that will delight your senses and that pairs beautiful with the area’s gastronomy. You can enjoy the rolling vineyards and the flavorful wines on a full-day Loire Valley wine tour on your bicycle!
Join us for this unique and unforgettable way to experience on of France’s most beautiful regions!
If you are looking for a Loire Valley food and wine tour without the biking, check out our Grand Tour of the Loire: Wines & Chateaux.
* High quality bicycles, maps, and equipment
* Transfer of luggage and on site assistance
Trip Details
Your cooking lesson will take place in a charming atelier in Tours, in which a group of chefs are dedicated to teaching the art of French gastronomy through hands-on cooking classes.
Itinerary
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Day One
- Morning arrival at the Tours or St. Pierre des Corps train station and private transfer to your hotel in Amboise, home for your Loire Valley biking tour. Explore the town on your own a bit, perhaps with a visit to the nearby Clos Lucé, the last residence of Leonardo da Vinci.
- This afternoon we suggest you visit the Royal Castle of Amboise (entrance tickets not included, available on request), formerly the residence to Charles VIII, and a young François d’Angouleme, who would become François I. Discover this perfect example of the transition from Gothic to Renaissance architecture. Make sure to see the Saint Hubert Chapel, which holds the grave of Leonardo da Vinci
- This evening, meet for a bike orientation. You will be provided with a quality bicycle or e-bike, detailed maps, theft protection, handler bag, complete flat tire set, helmets, itineraries, and 2 bags, directly at your hotel.
- Dinner on your own and overnight.
Day Two
- After breakfast, start out on your first Loire Valley bike tour, a flat and easy ride.(We recommend you download the Geovolo app – Geovolo is a free app, to create your bike itinerary).
- You will pass by the Parc Mini Chateaux before reaching the grounds of the Chateau of Chenonceau, one of the most famous Chateaux of the valley. Chenonceau is also called the “Chateau des Dames,” for the great female figures who lived there, including Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. Be sure to check out its beautiful gardens. You will have time to visit the Chateau if you like before getting back on your bike. About a mile from the Chateau you will stop and park your bikes, then finish the morning’s journey by canoe. This 2-hour canoe ride will lead you under the castle itself.
- Lunch on your own.
- Bike back to Amboise.
- Dinner at your leisure.
- Overnight.
Day Three
- After breakfast, depart on your Loire Valley wine tour by bike. You have different options, you can see them with the Geovolo app.
- Your Loire Valley bike tour will focus on the Vouvray vineyards. Head for the other side of the Loire River and explore the gentle, verdant landscape on your way to your first winery in the Vouvray area, where you will enjoy a tasting in their cellar. Discover the various appellations, from the dry and austere to the sparkling. (We can provide an indication of additional wineries to visit on request. Tasting fees are around 19 euros per person, not included.)
- Return to Amboise via the Montlouis wine appellation region.
- Dinner at your leisure.
- Overnight in Amboise.
Day Four
- After breakfast, head out on your Loire Valley bike tour. You can choose between the routes on Geovolo App
- Today follow the Loire River for your visit of the Chateau of Chaumont. Originally built in the 10th Century, it was subsequently destroyed and rebuilt in the 15th Century by Charles I of Amboise. Among its former owners are Catherine de Medici, Diane de Poitiers, and, later, Madame de Staël.
- Lunch on your own in Chaumont.
- Bike back to Amboise through calm and peaceful country paths.
- Dinner on your own.
- Overnight in Amboise.
Day Five
- Breakfast check out.
- Private transfer back to Tours, where you will meet the chef for your cooking class. You will prepare a menu including a starter, main dish, dessert, and tasting (local wines included). Lunch will follow based on your efforts.
- After lunch, private transfer to the train station. A bientôt!
Trip Details
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Included in the 4-Night Trip
Accommodations4 nights accommodation in Amboise
Food & Beverages- Daily breakfast
- 1 lunch
Classes & Instructors- Your cooking lesson will take place in a charming atelier in Tours, in which a group of chefs are dedicated to teaching the art of French gastronomy through hands-on cooking classes.
Excursions- Self-guided Loire Valley bike tour to Chenonceau, Amboise, Chaumont, and the Vouvray vineyards. Most Chateaux entrance fees included, except those that you are scheduled to ride by and see from the outside.
Transfer Details- Transfers included from/to Tours or St. Pierre des Corps train station.
Miscellaneous- Bike rental
Accommodation Information
Located next to the Castle of Amboise, the 4* Clos d’Amboise is an elegant hotel in a converted 17th-century building. Entirely refurbished in 2011, the hotel retains the character and history of the original building with the modern comforts of a 4* hotel. Rooms are equipped with en suite bathrooms, hair dryers, minibars, air conditioning, WiFi, and more. The property features a restaurant, swimming pool (in season), and bar. (If unavailable a comparable hotel will be proposed such as Au Charme Rabelaisien or Le Manoir St Thomas.)
Courtyard at the 4* Clos d'Amboise, home for your Loire Valley wine tour.
Salon at the 4* Clos d'Amboise, home for your Loire Valley wine tour.
Blue bedroom at the 4* Clos d'Amboise, home for your Loire Valley wine tour.
Red bedroom at the 4* Clos d'Amboise, home for your Loire Valley wine tour.
Purple bedroom at the 4* Clos d'Amboise, home for your Loire Valley wine tour.
Bedroom at the 4* Clos d'Amboise, home for your Loire Valley wine tour.
Breakfast at the 4* Clos d'Amboise, home for your Loire Valley wine tour.
Swimming pool at the 4* Clos d'Amboise, home for your Loire Valley wine tour.
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Pricing & Dates
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Pricing
See moreUS$1785 per person based on double occupancy
Please inquire with specific dates for availability.
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!Single occupancy rate: please inquire.
Tour Dates
See moreAvailable any dates you choose for a minimum of 2 people.
2025: Please inquire for available dates!
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