Itinerary
Day 01, Fri May 26:
Arrive in Paris.
The transfer of bicycles will be arranged from the airport to the hotel in Orleans.
A private charter coach with an english speaking guide will be waiting for
the group outside the terminal, to start on a half day sightseeing tour
through Paris to hotel. Overnight in Paris.
Day 02, Sat May 27:
Transfer from hotel in Paris to the train station for the trip to Orleans.
The station (Austerlitz) should be within walking distance of the hotel.
Board the train from Paris to Orleans.
A Welcome cocktail party is scheduled for 5:30 PM at the hotel.
Overnight in Orleans.
Day 03, Sun May 28:
Orleans loop of 55km. Bike to Chateaude Chateanuneuf/Loire, with
optional tour of museum of the merchant navy of the river with its
collection of Giens pottery of the 18th century. Lunch in Chateauneuf.
Entrance & visit of Parc Floral de la source.
Overnight at same hotel in Orleans.
Day 04, Mon May 29:
Orleans loop of 35km. Morning tour of Orleans to Cathedrale Ste. Croix,
Hotel Groslot 16th century, and House of Joan of Arc.
Bike to the vineyards of St. Hilaire for entrance of wine tasting
and lunch, then loop of 35 km south, return to Orleans for overnight.
Overnight at same hotel again in Orleans.
Day 05, Tue May 30:
Blois loop of 65km. Bike to Blois for approximately 65km, following the Loire River
with en route lunch in Beaugency. Beaugency is a charming city worth
a two hour stop for visiting it's treasures such as the 13th century Notre Dame Church,
the 11th century Donjon and the famous facade of the townhall.
Overnight in Blois.
Day 06, Wed May 31:
Blois loop of 35km. Morning visit of Blois. See the Chateau and its
famous helicoidal stair case designed for King Francois I and it's
very interesting city centre decorated with old houses.
Bike west on a loop of 35 km towards Chambord for picnic
lunch and visit of Chateau Chambord. This chateau is a
masterpiece of the renaissance art, proof of the genious
taste for fantasy of King Francis the first, helped by some
famous architects like Leonardo da Vinci.
Overnight in Blois.
Day 07, Thu Jun 01:
Blois loop of 45km. We travel south, along side Chateau de Beauregard,
this being a renaissance home with an exquisite collection of 300
portraits of almost all kings of France. A visit of Chateau of
Cheverny, one of the finest privately furnished chateau'sin France.
Travel to Chateau du Troussais for a picnic lunch and back to Blois.
Overnight in Blois.
Day 08, Fri Jun 02:
Ambiose 35km area tour. It's straight to Amboise via Chateau de Bur with a
stop half way along for lunch and to visit the Chateau de Chaumont and its
fantastic international festival of vegetable gardens. We have an optional
stop at Clos Luce, house of Leonardo da Vinci.
Overnight in Amboise.
Day 09, Sat Jun 03:
Tours loop of 40km. South to Chenonceaux for the visit of one of
the most prestigious sites of the Loire valley then lunch in Blere.
from there it is alongside the Cher River towards Tours, passing
the Chateaux of Nitray and Lougny.
Overnight in Tours.
Day 10, Sun Jun 04:
Day at leisure and time to explore the city of Tours,largest of all
cities on this tour with an abundance to offer to wanderers.
Visit its medieval centre and Place Plummereau.
Overnight in Tours.
Day 11, Mon Jun 05:
Tours loop of 40km. Bike south towards Montbazon, Sache (home of the famous
19th century writer Balzac), then Villandry and its delightful Chateau with
unforgettable gardens. Lunch at Domaine dela Giraudiere, a goat farmer's table,
then back to Tours for wine tasting of Vouvray wines.
Overnight in Tours.
Day 12, Tu Jun 06:
It is 65km to Prieure St. Lazare. Head southwest towards Azay le Rideau and
its Chateau, Chinon where Joan of Arc convinced King charles 7th to fight
the Brits in 1429. Have lunch in chinon with a winetasting of great local products.
Then towards Fontevraud l'Abbaye where King Henry II of England,
alienor of Aquitaine, and Richard the Lion Heart are buried.
Overnight at St. Lazare.
Day 13, Wed Jun 07:
We ride 65km to Saumur to see Wine and caves today, travel towards Saumur
via Candes, Montsoreau, Turquant and Champigny with a wine tasting of
Champigny wines at a 16th century estate carved into the lime stone cliffs
alongside the river. Overnight at Saumur.
Day 14, Thu Jun 08:
Bike 60km towards Angers, along side the river Loire through charming
villages, vineyards, churches and windmills. Finish with a visit of
Chaterau d'Angers and its Medieval Tapestry of Apocalypse.
Overnight at Angers.
Day 15, Fri Jun 09:
This morning we package our bikes for shipping. The van will transfer them
to Charles De Gaulle for shipment to Canada.
Van to transfer participants from the hotel to the local train station.
Take the high speed TGV Train back to Paris.
Arrive at Montparnasse train station in Paris then walk or take the
metro to the nearby hotel.
Overnight in Paris.
Day 16, Sat Jun 10:
Free day in Paris. Overnight in Paris.
Day 17, Sun Jun 11:
Depart Paris to Calgary. Transfer from hotel to CDG airport to be
arranged by participants.
Tour Summary:
** minimum 550km, 12 days on bikes **
- Day 1, May 26, Fri: arrive w/ bus tour of Paris, stay in Paris
- Day 2, May 27, Sat: reposition to and stay in Orleans
- Day 3, May 28, Sun: 'Cycling Day 1' - 55km, stay in Orleans
- Day 4, May 29, Mon: 'Cycling Day 2' - 35km, stay in Orleans
- Day 5, May 30, Tues: 'Cycling Day 3' - 65km, stay in Blois
- Day 6, May 31, Wed: 'Cycling Day 4' - 35km, stay in Blois
- Day 7, June 1, Thurs: 'Cycling Day 5' - 45km, stay in Blois
- Day 8, June 2, Fri: 'Cycling Day 6' - 35km, stay in Amboise
- Day 9, June 3, Sat: 'Cycling Day 7' - 40km, stay in Tours
- Day 10, June 4, Sun: 'Cycling/Layover Day 8' - ?km, stay in Tours
- Day 11, June 5, Mon: 'Cycling Day 9' - 40km, stay in Tours
- Day 12, June 6, Tues: 'Cycling Day 10' - 65km, stay in St. Lazare
- Day 13, June 7, Wed: 'Cycling Day 11' - 65km, stay in Saumur
- Day 14, June 8, Thurs: '(Last) Cycling Day 12' - 60km, stay in Angers
- Day 15, June 9, Fri: reposition to and stay in Paris
- Day 16, June 10, Sat: free day in Paris
- Day 17, June 11, Sun: fly home to Calgary
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