A shortened Loire Valley Discovery Tour enabling you to enjoy a fantastic cycling break in France.

Start on a Monday, stay at our beautiful base at ‘Le Gué de Ray’ and enjoy three days of exclusive cycling in the Loire Valley.

See famous Chateaux in France, cycle vineyards and explore the beautiful white stoned towns. See more about our area of the Loire Valley.

Loire Cycling Routes

We have selected three routes from our Loire Valley Discovery Tour, showing off chateaux, vineyards and pretty towns.

Alternatively you can choose a circular route from our route catalogue and create your own Loire cycling adventure! We’ve routes from 15km to over 100km, so something for everyone.

See more about our Loire Valley Cycle Routes.

Fantastic Cuisine

Cuisine is as important as the cycling!  We focus on local, seasonal produce, organic wherever possible and freshly prepared.

The day starts with a plentiful breakfast, including a freshly prepared fruit salad, a range of cereals, fruit juices, yoghurts, pastries, eggs, meats and cheese.

The delicious four course evening meals are accompanied by specially selected local wines and a fantastic cheese board.

We can cater for most dietary requirements – without fuss!  Please note we are unable to cater for vegans.

Your Loire Valley Accommodation

All this cycling and you stay in one comfortable location for your entire cycling break.

At ‘Le Gue de Ray’ we have created a fantastic cycling base in the Loire Valley.

Bedrooms with private bathrooms, comfy lounge areas, outdoor terraces and unique touches that make this a beautiful home from home.

Unpack and settle in, relax in the hot-tub or pool and make yourself completely at home.

Getting to the Loire

Whether you are arriving from overseas or from within Europe we are easy to reach by car or rail.

“The Loire Chateaux” (Min 26 kms)

An easy route to the medieval town and chateau of Langeais.  So far you’ve covered 26 easy kilometers and you can hang up your cycle shoes here if you wish, explore the chateau and town and await the minibus pickup.

For more cycling, cross the Loire river and follow the Loire cycle track to Chateau Villandry with it’s amazing formal gardens or Chateau Ussé (westwards) the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty.  Either way, you cycle back to Langeais for the minibus pickup.  This takes you to 50kms.

For more cycling we can recommend a further leg to Chateau Azay le Rideau, before heading back to Langeais for the minibus pickup.

Finally, those wanting even more cycling can decline the mini-bus pickup and cycle back to Gue de Ray!

“Vines, Wines & Markets” (Min 40 kms)

A morning cycle through quiet forest backroads, emerging above the Cabernet Franc vineyards of Bourgueil. Continue into the town and enjoy the lively atmosphere of the weekly market.

You’ve covered 20kms and have earned a leisurely coffee at Pâtisserie Brémaud (you’ll get a proper Latté or Flat White here) and enjoy their speciality the Galette Bourgueilloise®.  While in Bourgueil, gather a picnic from the market stalls (the local strawberries are amazing!) or we can recommend a fabulous restaurant for lunch.

Spend the afternoon exploring the wineries, the underground wine museum and tasting the red and rosé wines of AOC Bourgueil and Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil.  We’ll recommend the best wineries to try!

“Rural Anjou” (Min 30 kms)

You’ll head north for the first time and explore the beautiful local villages and countryside.

The route takes in two noteworthy chateaux at Breil and Gizeux, which are still owned by the aristocratic families and have fantastic histories.  If you’re lucky, your guide may be the owner!

There’s a chance to indulge in the French Menu Ouvrier (worker’s menu) at a local restaurant before heading home via a road often used in the Tour de France – so worth a photo.

This is the route where it all started for us at Loire Life Cycling – and why we became so passionate about cycling in the Loire Valley.