Loire Highlights

Castles, caves & vineyards

Holiday information

Nights: 4
Grade: 1
Terrain: quiet riverside lanes, forests, vineyards
Hotels: two 2-star hotels; one 3-star hotel
Meals: breakfast each day & 1 dinner

How our holidays work

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Why not take the train?

You can leave London St Pancras or Ebbsfleet in the morning and be at your destination by the evening, making it an excellent (not to mention environmentally friendly) way to reach this holiday. You can relax right from the start of your journey as Eurostar services whisk you through the Channel Tunnel to connect with the world-famous French high-speed TGV trains in either Paris or Lille. We reserve seats for you, there is plenty of luggage space, and refreshments are available on board.

You may even break your journey in Paris if you are travelling via the capital. Sit back and enjoy a truly great rail journey! Look for the ‘by rail’ prices in the Prices & Travel section, where you will also find journey details.

About the Loire >The proliferation of châteaux is due in part to the region’s important role in the struggle for control of France, but also to the fact that from the mid-15th century it was favoured by many kings and thus by noblemen who built their own small châteaux across the region. As these second-generation châteaux served no defensive purpose, the designs were much more elaborate, influenced by the kings’ travels through Italy. Wines also proliferate here. Though there is great variety due to the different grapes used, most are refreshingly light. Some of the best known are Pouilly-Fumé, Muscadet, and the acclaimed sparkling Saumur whites, made using the méthode champenoise. The five major Touraine appellations – Vouvray, Montlouis, Bourgeuil, St-Nicholas-de-Bourgeuil and Chinon – are also very good, meaning there is a wide choice to accompany the regional cuisine, which incorporates pike-perch and bream from the river; locally grown asparagus, courgettes and mushrooms; lamb; and Amboise ham.

self-guided hotel-to-hotel cycling, luggage transported
leisurely and relaxing route
visits to fairy-tale châteaux
enjoy tastings of wonderful red and white wines

Famed for its magnificent châteaux and wide, lazily flowing rivers, the Loire region is a delight. With a gentle terrain and plenty of cultural interest, this is perhaps the best corner of France for leisurely days on two wheels, so take your time, pausing at the places of interest en route and enjoying long picnics on the riverbank.

Pass through quiet villages, sleepy woodland and along the banks of the languorous River Loire, to visit the impressive array of formal gardens at Villandry.

Daily Express

West of Tours, the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Park is characterised by vineyards, rolling farmland, hunting forests and limestone cliffs into which astonishing troglodytic dwellings have been carved. Crowning these beautiful landscapes are some of the Loire's most romantic and elegant châteaux: Azay-le-Rideau, Ussé, Chinon and Villandry. With short, easy routes that are largely on the flat, you have plenty of time to visit all of these during your holiday, along with vineyards and mushroom caves (pay locally in all cases).