After making your way to your first night’s hotel, you will be provided with your bikes (should you be hiring), as well as your route notes and maps for your trip. A local representative will brief you on your route notes and the week to come, giving you the opportunity to ask any last minute questions. Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to explore Tours’ historic centre.

• Meals: Breakfast

Today you will follow the River Cher to the Chateau de Villandry, which is known for the geometric beauty of its vegetable gardens, divided by vine-shaded paths. You’ll then continue your ride, leaving the bank of the River Cher and switching to the bank of the famous River Loire, passing the Chateau of Langeais. It’s a bit stern looking, but has a rich decor and a beautiful collection of Gothic and Renaissance tapestries. You’ll head off for your overnight stop in Chinon but just before reaching it, you will pass by a beautiful fairy tale castle, the Chateau d’Ussé: its approach is stunning.

• Meals: Breakfast

Today there are a couple of options. The route from Chinon first of all will take you to the wonderful Abbaye de Fontevraud, Europe’s largest remaining monastic city. Founded in 1101, the organisation of the abbey was unique: separate communities of priests, nuns, laypeople and lepers were living there (the guided tour of the abbey is excellent). Next you’ll continue to the pretty town of Saumur, one of the most beautiful cities of the Loire valley. There, you can take a peaceful rest in its gardens before heading back to Chinon through vineyards and sunflower fields.

• Meals: Breakfast

Today you’ll cycle through vineyards and little villages like Crissay, which was once deserted but is now home to numerous artists and artisans who have settled here. Then you’ll ride onto Azay-le-Rideau located in the Indre Valley. The Chateau of Azay-le-Rideau sits on an island in the middle of the river and is one of France’s loveliest Renaissance castles. You might even catch the gourmet night market as you wander around the cobbled streets.

• Meals: Breakfast

Today you’ll enjoy cycling through romantic river landscapes. First you’ll follow the River Indre and then, after having conquered a small climb, you will ride down to follow the River Cher through meadow paths to the small market town of Bléré. After crossing the river, you’ll arrive at the Chateau de Chenonceaux, which spans the river on five elegant arches. It is one of the most perfect and beautiful castles of the Loire region in respect of its architecture, site, contents and atmosphere.

• Meals: Breakfast

Today you’ll head off through the market town of Montrichard and the perfectly symmetrical Chateau de Cheverny. Soon you’ll start to see the vast and spectacular Chateau de Chambord, through the trees of the surrounding forest. The day ends with a lovely level ride, which will lead you to your hotel in Blois where you can discover the centrally located Chateau de Blois.

• Meals: Breakfast

For your last day you will cycle to Tours where your trip began. During the day, keep an eye out for the dwellings which have been dug into the soft limestone of the riverside cliffs: sometimes only the rising smoke reveals their existence. You’ll cross the river to reach the picturesque town of Amboise, lodged under the fortified Chateau d’Amboise. Leonardo Da Vinci spent his last years here and the museum, which is dedicated to him and his work, is worth a visit. Afterwards you’ll continue cycling through vineyards and past wine cellars via Rochcorbon to finally reach Tours. And relax!

• Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast it’s time to say au revoir to this beautiful cycling destination.