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Bicycle the Châteaux of France's Loire Valley
Published by Jason Hussong, Writer
Country: France 
The Experience
France’s Loire Valley is a beautiful landscape of historic towns, wineries, and stunning chateaux that recall the days of the Renaissance and the Age of Enlightenment. The area is known as “the Garden of France,” and considered to be the cradle of the French language. The valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that they say is “an exceptional cultural landscape, of great beauty, comprised of historic cities and villages, great architectural monuments - the Châteaux - and lands that have been cultivated and shaped by centuries of interaction between local populations and their physical environment, in particular the Loire itself." And it is all best seen from the seat of a bicycle.
The Loire Valley came to life in the 16th Century as several chateaux were built as summer estates for the nobility of France. Now numbering more than 300, some of which are private residences and closed to the public, they attract a different crowd as hundreds of thousands of travelers find themselves exploring the area and enjoying the beautiful estates that line the river and many of its tributaries. One of the more popular ways to do this is by bicycle, as the curious pedal between the various villages and towns through the region to enjoy the palatial homes that now open to the public.
The relatively flat terrain of the Loire Valley makes cycling through the area relatively simple and easy; how to pack simply for such a trip will surely be the most difficult task. Many tour companies help coordinate cycling visits to the region, but a new 500 mile (800 km) trail from Orleans to Angers has now further opened the area to the independent traveler wishing to plan their own getaway. Several other trails and roads in the area also make moving from town to town, or rather chateaux to chateaux, an enjoyable adventure that can transport the curious back centuries into France’s history.
The architecture and landscaping of the chateaux truly make for an impressive visit as places such as Chenonceau sit atop the river, or the grounds of Chambord cover 13,000 acres with their gardens and vast hunting forests. It’s almost as though, riding up to the gates, the cyclist has ridden up to the home of some fairy tale character like Sleeping Beauty or Snow White. Enjoy what it is today as this wasn’t always the case. The chateaux were looted and abused during the French Revolution and used as military bases during both World War I and II.
The pleasant days of relaxation have now returned to the country inns that welcome tourists to the area with a home cooked meal and a local glass of wine to enjoy after a ride to another amazing estate. And that’s how it’s best done since, although the area is only two hours by car from Paris, it’s best to take it slow and savor not just the food and wine, but also the culture and history of an area that was built upon the summer vacations of the nobility.
The Loire Valley came to life in the 16th Century as several chateaux were built as summer estates for the nobility of France. Now numbering more than 300, some of which are private residences and closed to the public, they attract a different crowd as hundreds of thousands of travelers find themselves exploring the area and enjoying the beautiful estates that line the river and many of its tributaries. One of the more popular ways to do this is by bicycle, as the curious pedal between the various villages and towns through the region to enjoy the palatial homes that now open to the public.
The relatively flat terrain of the Loire Valley makes cycling through the area relatively simple and easy; how to pack simply for such a trip will surely be the most difficult task. Many tour companies help coordinate cycling visits to the region, but a new 500 mile (800 km) trail from Orleans to Angers has now further opened the area to the independent traveler wishing to plan their own getaway. Several other trails and roads in the area also make moving from town to town, or rather chateaux to chateaux, an enjoyable adventure that can transport the curious back centuries into France’s history.
The architecture and landscaping of the chateaux truly make for an impressive visit as places such as Chenonceau sit atop the river, or the grounds of Chambord cover 13,000 acres with their gardens and vast hunting forests. It’s almost as though, riding up to the gates, the cyclist has ridden up to the home of some fairy tale character like Sleeping Beauty or Snow White. Enjoy what it is today as this wasn’t always the case. The chateaux were looted and abused during the French Revolution and used as military bases during both World War I and II.
The pleasant days of relaxation have now returned to the country inns that welcome tourists to the area with a home cooked meal and a local glass of wine to enjoy after a ride to another amazing estate. And that’s how it’s best done since, although the area is only two hours by car from Paris, it’s best to take it slow and savor not just the food and wine, but also the culture and history of an area that was built upon the summer vacations of the nobility.
When to Go to Loire Valley
The best time of year to bicycle through France's Loire Valley is in the warmer summer months. The chateaux will certainly be more crowded at this time, but the weather will also be much more pleasant. If you don't mind gambling a bit though, the blooms of the spring or the colors of fall will certainly make for a beautiful time spent touring the area.
Odds n' Ends
It's not exactly practical to pack your bicycle, particularly with the various airline baggage fees, but thankfully there are several companies in the area that handle rentals for either single days or weeks at a time. So, even if you want to go by the seat of your pants and not plan a route in advance, it's a good idea to at least contact a few companies and make sure you have a set of wheels reserved before arrival.
If you wish to take an organized tour from Paris, expect to pay upwards of $200 USD. A cheaper alternative is to simply rent a car with a GPS device and explore the countryside yourself.
If you wish to take an organized tour from Paris, expect to pay upwards of $200 USD. A cheaper alternative is to simply rent a car with a GPS device and explore the countryside yourself.
Places to Stay Nearby
Search over 900,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants. Book via Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Priceline and the websites of popular hotel chains.
With its central location, Premiere Classe Tours Nord Parcay is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Parcay-Meslay.All hotel's guestrooms have ... 1 miles away
$38 EUR+
Discover all that Parcay-Meslay has to offer with Fasthotel Tours Nord as a base.All hotel's guestrooms have all the conveniences expected in a hotel in ... 1 miles away
$35 EUR+
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Books and DVDs
Elsewhere on the Web
Media References
- The Loire Valley The Marquise, the Prince, the Count and the Winemaker (magazine)
- The Loire Valley, with its untamed river running past legendary châteaux, has an eternal quality that enchants visitors from around the world. But even in this storied landscape, time has not stood still. We visited four of the region’s most prominent residents to get an insider’s view of the region today.
- France's Loire Valley: fertile fields, lovely rivers and hundreds of chateaus (newspaper)
- The Loire Valley, two hours southwest of Paris, offers France's greatest array of château experiences.
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