0     
+44 (0)1653 617001
back
back
back
back
back
back
back
back
back
 

Châteaux of the Loire

Castles, caves & vineyards
 
This leisurely and relaxing route is ideal for self-guided hotel-to-hotel cycling, with luggage transported. En route through the beautiful Loire region you can delight in visits to fairy-tale châteaux and to small vineyards for tastings of wonderful red and white wines.
Châteaux of the Loire. 6 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
Châteaux of the Loire. 6 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

A cycling holiday in the Loire

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.
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, Villandry and Saumur. 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).
 
Gallery
 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 7 8 11 15 18 22 25 24 22 17 11 7
    mm 62 58 54 52 63 50 49 45 53 58 65 62
  • Arrival in Azay-le-Rideau
    Night 1: at Hotel de Biencourt (where you spend one night).
    As your first night's accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of cycling.
  • Choice of routes from Azay-le-Rideau to Ussé: 18.5km or 35.5km

    Azay-le-Rideau to Ussé via Villandry: 35.5km
    You head north from Azay-le-Rideau past an elegant private château and through a deciduous forest to Villandry, where you can visit the château, famed for its magnificent formal gardens. From here you follow the River Cher to its confluence with the Loire, and cycle along the riverbank via a former river port (look out for vestiges of its past) to Ussé, where you stay the night at Le Clos d'Ussé.

    Azay-le-Rideau to Ussé via the River Indre: 18.5km
    For a shorter day, you can follow the course of the River Indre, passing a small but beautiful château and an attractive village, to reach the banks of the River Loire, which you follow westwards. 
    Ussé's chateau
    Azay-le-Rideau to Ussé via Villandry: 35.5km
    Azay-le-Rideau to Ussé via the River Indre: 18.5km
  • Ussé to Fontevraud: 34km
    Start the day with a visit to Ussé's château, the inspiration for Perrault's original tale of Sleeping Beauty. From Ussé, you continue along the Loire and then head away from the river, cycling through meadows and woodland. You reach the River Vienne and follow it to the idyllic village of Candes-St-Martin which overlooks the confluence of the Loire and the Vienne. Follow country lanes through the small village of Montsoreau, where it is worth visiting the château for superb views over the Loire before the final stretch to Fontevraud and La Croix Blanche, where you spend two nights.
    Ussé to Fontevraud: 34km
    Candes-St-Martin on the route from Ussé to Fontevraud
  • Free day in Fontevraud

    Explore Fontevraud
    You could spend your day in Fontevraud visiting the superb abbey for which the village is famed. It is here that Richard the Lionheart and his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, are buried. 

    Circular route from Fontevraud: 33.5km; longer option: 42km
    Alternatively, as the famous town of Saumur is close, we suggest you cycle there and spend some time exploring (there is a chateau and a fine church). On the way, pause for a wine-tasting – a real highlight – and look out for a subterranean troglodytic village. You can either return by another relatively direct route; or cross the Loire to visit some mushroom caves and explore the marais north of the river, an area of flat, fertile farmland.
    Saumur on the circular route from Fontevraud
    Circular route from Fontevraud: 33.5km
    Circular route from Fontevraud longer option: 42km
  • Choice of routes from Fontevraud to Chinon: 23.5km or 60km

    Fontevraud to Chinon: 23.5km
    Our route today leads through woodland and undulating farmland, passing villages with pretty churches and small chateaux. On arrival in Chinon, spend time exploring the chateau (which commands superb views over the Vienne Valley) and enjoy, perhaps, a wine-tasting in another troglodytic setting. You stay at the Hotel de France.

    Fontevraud to Chinon via Richelieu: 60km
    A longer route crosses similar landscapes but loops south to take in the fascinating town of Richelieu; the beautiful stained-glass windows in the church at Champigny-sur-Veude; and a visit to an unusual 'petit château'.
    Chinon's bridge and chateau
    Fontevraud to Chinon: 23.5km
    Fontevraud to Chinon via Richelieu: 60km
  • Chinon to Azay-le-Rideau: 38km
    You head east from Chinon across open countryside, first through vineyards to Crissay-sur-Manse (one of the 'most beautiful villages in France'), before turning north across farmland and woodland and past cliffs in which there are numerous cave dwellings. Continue through Villaine-les-Rochers, the basket-weaving capital of France, to return to Azay.

    End your holiday with one last visit – the fairy-tale turreted chateau of Azay-le-Rideau should not be missed – before a final night at the hotel where you began, the Hotel de Biencourt.
    Chinon to Azay-le-Rideau: 38km
    The Château d'Azay-le-Rideau
 

Accommodation

You stay at a mixture of comfortable hotels and a smaller guesthouse.
 

Options to extend or shorten your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
Currency converter
We can only accept payment in GBP, but you can use this converter to find out how much the holiday equates to in your own currency.
Please enter an amount Please enter a valid amount British Pound Sterling (GBP)
Currency is required
NB: this should be used as a guide only. Fluctuations in exchange rates could result in significant variation by the time you come to pay.

  • 6 nights: 01 April 2023 - 12 October 2023 & 01 April 2024 - 31 October 2024

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 27 Apr 2023 £1035 £295
    28 Apr - 21 May 2023 £1100 £295
    22 May - 27 Sep 2023 £1145 £315
    28 - 30 Sep 2023 £1100 £295
    1 - 6 Oct 2023 £1035 £295
    1 - 27 Apr 2024 £1140 £325
    28 Apr - 21 May 2024 £1210 £325
    22 May - 27 Sep 2024 £1260 £350
    28 - 30 Sep 2024 £1210 £325
    1 - 25 Oct 2024 £1140 £325
    3rd & 4th person discount -£55 to -£61
    Single traveller supplement £55 to £61

    Includes accommodation, meals, bike hire, luggage transfers and any other services integral to the holiday as described, plus cycling notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Electric bikes available: add £70pp in 2023 or £77pp in 2024

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

    6 nights: 01 April 2023 - 12 October 2023 & 01 April 2024 - 31 October 2024

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 27 Apr 2023 £1305 £295
    28 Apr - 21 May 2023 £1375 £295
    22 May - 27 Sep 2023 £1420 £315
    28 - 30 Sep 2023 £1375 £295
    1 - 6 Oct 2023 £1305 £295
    1 - 27 Apr 2024 £1440 £325
    28 Apr - 21 May 2024 £1515 £325
    22 May - 27 Sep 2024 £1565 £350
    28 - 30 Sep 2024 £1515 £325
    1 - 25 Oct 2024 £1440 £325
    3rd & 4th person discount -£130 to -£140
    Single traveller supplement £130 to £145

    Includes all elements in the 'cycle price', plus standard-class travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Lille or Paris, with onward travel as described below.

    Electric bikes available: add £70pp in 2023 or £77pp in 2024

    Included travel: UK–Paris (Eurostar), Paris–St Pierre des Corps (TGV), approx duration out 6h10/home 7h & taxi transfer (out 0h45/home allow 1h).
    > More about 'by rail' prices
    > The 'rail experience': what to expect

    If you book your holiday less than 10 months in advance of your travel date, seats may no longer be available at the tariffs on which our prices are based, but we may be able to offer you seats on the same services at a supplement.

    6 nights: 01 April 2023 - 12 October 2023 & 01 April 2024 - 31 October 2024

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 27 Apr 2023 £1105 £295
    28 Apr - 21 May 2023 £1160 £295
    22 May - 27 Sep 2023 £1205 £315
    28 - 30 Sep 2023 £1160 £295
    1 - 6 Oct 2023 £1105 £295
    1 - 27 Apr 2024 £1220 £325
    28 Apr - 21 May 2024 £1280 £325
    22 May - 27 Sep 2024 £1330 £350
    28 - 30 Sep 2024 £1280 £325
    1 - 25 Oct 2024 £1220 £325
    3rd & 4th person discount -£130 to -£140
    Single traveller supplement £130 to £145

    Includes all elements in the 'cycle price', plus a return Channel crossing between Folkestone and Calais with LeShuttle for your party and one car.

    > More information about travelling self-drive

    Electric bikes available: add £70pp in 2023 or £77pp in 2024

    A supplement of approximately £65 per car per single journey applies for travel at key dates over Easter, while from May onwards a supplement of approximately £42 per car per single journey applies for travel over public holidays and at weekends during school holidays. See the self-drive page or contact us for more details.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    La Croix Blanche, Fontevraud
    'Mini suite': 01 Apr - 12 Oct 2023 £30
    'Mini suite': 01 Apr - 31 Oct 2024 £33
    Hotel de France, Chinon
    Superior: 01 Apr - 12 Oct 2023 £28
    Superior: 01 Apr - 31 Oct 2024 £31

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Prices include an extra day’s bike hire (standard or electric).
    La Croix Blanche, Fontevraud (with dinner) Double room Single room
    01 Apr - 30 Apr 2023 £154 £196
    01 May - 30 Sep 2023 £180 £222
    01 Oct - 12 Oct 2023 £154 £196
    01 Apr - 30 Apr 2024 £170 £216
    01 May - 30 Sep 2024 £200 £246
    01 Oct - 31 Oct 2024 £170 £216
    Hotel de France, Chinon (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 Apr - 12 Oct 2023 £116 £174
    01 Apr - 31 Oct 2024 £128 £192
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Tours or Paris CDG
    As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Paris CDG. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Travelling from outside the UK
    We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans.

    You have two options:

    1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel.

    2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings.
    Outward route Airline
    Aberdeen - Paris CDG Air France,  KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Paris CDG Air France,  KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Paris CDG Air France,  easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Paris CDG Air France,  easyJet 
    Edinburgh - St Pierre des Corps via Paris CDG air/rail Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Paris CDG easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Paris CDG jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Liverpool - Paris CDG easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Paris CDG easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Paris CDG British Airways 
    Outward route Airline
    London Southend - Paris CDG easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Tours Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Paris CDG Air France,  easyJet 
    Manchester - St Pierre des Corps via Paris CDG air/rail Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Paris CDG Air France,  KLM 
    Newcastle - St Pierre des Corps via Paris CDG air/rail Air France 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Paris CDG. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Unless otherwise stated, connecting travel by rail or bus tends to be from the city centre station, rather than from its airport, and connections between the two should be paid for locally.

    Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Paris CDG

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Paris CDG airport to St Pierre des Corps (1h40), taxi St Pierre des Corps to hotel (0h45) £88-£97 1700
    rail Paris Montparnasse to St Pierre des Corps (1h05), taxi St Pierre des Corps to hotel (0h45) £84-£92 1600
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi hotel to St Pierre des Corps station (0h45), rail St Pierre des Corps to Paris CDG airport (1h40) £88-£97 1500
    taxi hotel to St Pierre des Corps (0h45), rail St Pierre des Corps to Paris Montparnasse (1h) £84-£92 1500

    Connecting travel options - flying via St Pierre des Corps SNCF

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    taxi St Pierre des Corps to hotel (0h45) £40-£44 flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi hotel to St Pierre des Corps (0h45) £40-£44 flexible

    Connecting travel options - flying via Tours

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    direct taxi Tours airport to hotel (1h) £50-£55 flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    direct taxi hotel to Tours airport (1h) £50-£55 flexible
What is included
  • 6 nights
  • 3 dinners
    6 breakfasts
  • luggage transported
  • high-quality bicycle
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

All 14 reviews
  • Mr F Mitchell
    Tayport
    25 September 2023

    Need to book evening meals in Chinon and Azay le Rideau due to lack of open restaurants in September. Chateau d'Islette in Azay le Rideau was our favourite. Smaller and more intimate than others with lovely grounds to relax in.

  • Mr M Fox
    Canada
    13 September 2023

    We had cancelled, delayed and rerouted transatlantic flights and Inntravel staff came through every time within an hour or two to rebook rail and taxi journeys. They supported us every step of the way. They were amazing!

    We will highly recommend Inntravel holidays, because of your ability to organise a complete itinerary through beautiful areas and at special, interesting hotels.

    Thank you!

  • Anon
    06 September 2023

    We had a great holiday, small hotels full of character, very good route notes with good advice for lunch spots etc, luggage transfers were perfect.

  • Mrs S Massey-Clark
    Canada
    05 September 2023

    We can just echo all the positive reviews others have posted about the scenery in the Bernese Oberland and Inntravel’s professionalism. The overall quality of the inns was excellent with the meals in Lauenen particularly outstanding.

    In the Loire, the weather was perfect and 90% of the riding was easy; the other 10% could be challenging depending on your fitness level.

    A highlight of all our Inntravel trips is spending time with others, be they locals or tourists. This was the case in both Switzerland and the Loire where we met fellow Inntravellers who made this trip very special.

  • The McGregor
    04 September 2023

    I really enjoyed our holiday. The rooms were all very fresh and clean. The travelling went like clockwork. Fortunately there were no delays on the way out although we had a two hour delay on our flight leaving Paris on the way home. The location of the hotels was great with attractions and restaurants within easy walking distance. I would have preferred rooms on the ground floor. We were all septuagenarians and find quaint narrow winding staircases to be challenging and dangerous. There was only one map holder provided for our group of eight and not a single "high viz" top in sight. There were many highlights cycling through the beautiful French countryside and visiting lovely chateaux. Had it been cooler, we may have visited one or two vineyards, but the intense heat directed us to fluid replacement rather than alcohol in the middle of the day. We thoroughly enjoyed the local wines in the evening. Having a two-night stay in the middle of the trip was a good idea, especially since there was a pool in that hotel. Despite (or because of) the "Faulty Towers" episode on the last night, it was a most memorable holiday and I would certainly consider it again in the future.

  • Mr D Archer
    Cranbrook
    08 August 2023

    This was an excellent holiday in beautiful countryside. The routes were well chosen and generally very quiet and peaceful. They took in the best that the Loire has to offer with magical chateaux and medieval towns along the way. Would thoroughly recommend this holiday to anyone who loves France.

  • Ian
    10 June 2023

    Beautiful introduction to the Loire and some amazing Chateau's to visit. Plenty of time to explore the area and maps/instructions were excellent. I would avoid the Metro with luggage - stick to the direct TGV. On last day there were quite a few steep hills and I would definitely recommend stopping at the cafe at Villaines (le petit table de terroir) to recharge before the final 8km into Azay-le-Rideau. The staff at the cafe were very welcoming. I would mention that the restaraunt in Crissay sir-manse has a great view but was not welcoming and refused to serve us drinks and said we had to order a full meal in order to get a drink. This was after a steep climb up to the village and no other places for food/drink available - if we had not brought our own food and water this would have been very difficult especially in the hit weather.

  • Mrs C Cobb
    USA
    12 May 2023

    This was an absolutly wonderful trip. The scenery was spectacular, everything was in bloom and the chateaux were amazing. We had a marvelous time and look forward to doing another vacation with Inntravel. 

  • Mr P Ballantyne
    Jedburgh
    02 April 2023

    The bikes were perfect and, once I checked the maps and your detailed guide, we could just follow the route, getting on and off the trail whenever we wanted.

    In Azay, we were early in the chateau. Perfect. Fantastic lunch and dinner recommended by the hotel at the restaurants: Cote Cour and La Credence

     In Usse, we were the first visitors in the chateau - as suggested by the hotel - fab.

    In candes, we had a great tea and cake, on the way out at a little cafe called Le Jardin des Envies

    Before Chinon, the Musee Rabelais was a nice interlude, cool caves.

    In Chinon, since many restaurants were closed due to public holidays earlier in the week, we had a thoroughly tasty italian meal near the hotel - Les Saveurs d'Italie  . And, as you recommended, we enjoyed the wine tasting under the fortress at Caves Plouzeau

    Last, as an overnight stop before our holiday started or if there's time before/after trains, we loved walking around the city of Tours

    The highlights were also your well-chosen hotels - great locations, easy bike storage, not too large, full of character.  Sampling the local wines in the Hotel de Biencourt a highlight

    Chinon's fortress was splendid, up and down the deep staircases and excellent audio interpretation

  • Mrs K Morgan
    Northampton
    15 September 2022

    An excellent trip with so much to see. Highly recommended.

  • Mrs H Grant
    Cambridge
    31 August 2022

    The weather forecast was for thunderstorms and we had some spectacular ones at night but our days were warm and sunny. Happy cycling to interesting places - we loved the château at Usse and the Abbey at Fontavraud particularly and just bowling along on the levées beside the river. All the hotels were delightful - our favourite probably the Biencourt and lots of delicious food and wine everywhere. My husband took his normal bike and I hired an electric one - a bit of a heavy monster compared to my one at home and indeed it ran out of battery on the long trip to Chinon against strong headwinds so maybe take that into account. The new Voie Verte from Richelieu is a delight. 

  • Clare
    17 June 2022

    Really peaceful cycling and interesting places to visit.

    Highlights were the Chateau Lislette just outside Azay le Rideau, Fontevraud and the art exhibitions, and the most amazing restaurant calle Licorne in Fontevraud. That should be mentioned as the food was such a high standard.

  • Mr R Fessenden
    USA
    05 May 2022

    We allowed extra time to visit chateaux and museums, and it was worth it. Our biking was on the order of 25-40 km per day. But we went to Sache to visit the Balzac Museum, and we spent time in several chateaux and Art museums because the biking was not too demanding. We also visited caves of trogolodites (Check out Goupilleres near Azay). We also added time for a hot air balloon ride, and that was very much an experience to enjoy!

  • John and Caroline
    03 April 2022

    This was our first such cycling holiday and was most enjoyable even if the weather wasn't perfect. The organisation, information and service provided by Inntravel was excellent, the choice of hotels and routes extremely good. We recommend downloading the routes to Komoot on a smartphone and using it for navigation (take a fixing with you to attach the phone to the handle bars. And a supplementary battery pack!). We wouldn't hesitate to use Inntravel again in the future.
 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • Our chosen bike rental shop will provide you with a hybrid bike with 21 gears; a waterproof map case on handlebars; panniers/saddlebags; pump; puncture repair kit; and a lock. Electric bikes are available as an upgrade (see price panel), subject to availability, and must be requested at the time of booking.
  • While we would always recommend that you take your own well-fitting helmet, they can be hired locally for a small fee. Please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to hire a helmet.
  • Yes, we will provide GPX tracks for this holiday prior to departure so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. (We also provide maps and our tried-and-tested route notes, which remain the principal means of navigation).
  • We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from hotel to hotel, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. On mornings when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation so that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.

    For more detailed information, see our cycling holidays in Europe page.
  • You are responsible for damage to or loss of the rental bike while it is hired to you. Always be careful to lock it up, ideally to an immovable object, and remove all easy-to-steal accessories whenever you leave it unattended.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to France, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • The official language is French. The currency is the Euro. French time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
Last fetch time is : 12/2/2023 11:48:44 AM

currency iplookup:

cookie value: null

querystring value: null