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France - Castles of the Loire

Beautiful castles, medieval towns and good wine make this ride very varied and enjoyable.

Shimmering rivers, beautiful castles, medieval towns and good wine make this an exceptional ride. During this tour, you will discover why the French Kings preferred to live in the Loire Valley rather than Paris. It is not difficult to find scenic picnic spots and lunches are often long, due to the good food and wine as well as the relaxing atmosphere.

This ride follows the River Cher, past the famous Chenonccau Castle. This valley is exceptionally beautiful for its architectural heritage. You will also ride along the River Loire, France's longest.

The Loire Valley is a rich and fertile area and one of France's top tourist destinations. Peaceful rivers flow through a bucolic landscape, past beautiful castles and medieval towns. The sights together with good food and wine make this ride very varied and enjoyable.

For long periods, the French Kings preferred to live in the Loire Valley rather than Paris. Finding picturesque picnic spots is easy and lunches are often long due to both the good food and wine and the relaxing atmosphere.

The information on this page is specific to this ride. For general information of Bordeaux and Loire trails Click here for more information >>

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The Program

Day 1 - You will be met at the Montrichard train station at and be taken to the Hotel  “l’Auberge de l’Ecole” at Pontlevoy or Hotel « L'Hostellerie du Château» at Chaumont-sur-Loire.

Day 2 - After the introductions and assignement of horses, you ride towards the village of Fougères-sur-Bièvre where lunch awaits you at the foot of its fortified castle, built in the late 15th cent. And late in the afternoon, the Cheverny castle, beautifully furnished, also welcomes you for a visit. This property is owned by the same family for more than 6 centuries. There you’ll discover a fantastic heritage, authentic and still alive.
Dinner and night in a B&B or at a hotel.

Day 3 - In the morning, you ride to Chambord where you have a picnic. Chambord is the largest castle of the Loire area. Its architectural achievement is unmatched, a wonder of elegance in the heart of an extensive natural forest reserve (5440 ha). You visit the castle after lunch and then keep riding to the Villesavin castle (16th cent), which was almost kept in a perfect integrity through the centuries.
Dinner and night in a B&B or at a hotel.

Day 4 - You ride through the forest to have the daily picnic at Beauregard castle. Built under François 1er, this former hunting farm of Chambord has always been famous thanks to its gallery of 327 portraits of well-known characters and other remarquable qualities. Visit of the castle before going to Candé-dur-Beuvron. Dinner and night in a B&B or at a hotel.

Day 5 - You ride along the Loire to Chaumont-sur-Loire. A charming village and UNESCO World Heritage site, Chaumont is also well-known for its feudal castle (late 15th cent) overlooking the valley and the village. You have a picnic next to the castle and enjoy a visit in the afternoon. Not to be missed, its stables built in the19th cent, considered as the most luxurious in Europe at the time. You then cross the Sudais forest to reach the night stop. Dinner and night in a B&B or at a hotel.

Day 6 – You leave with the horses at 10 am. You ride along the Loire by the beach before going up the hillside to discover a few vineyards and cereal crops. Lunch stop in Amboise, then visit of the castle. The 15th cent. is a prosperous period for Amboise (Louis XI, Charles VIII and François Ier promote the development and embellishment of the city). Dinner and night in a hotel.

Day 7 - After breakfast, you head to the magnificient Chenonceau castle via the Amboise forest. Built on the Cher, it is called « Château des Dames » (Women’s Castle), because it was built and improved by famous femâle personalities through the centuries. You have a picnic on site and then visit this jewel of the Loire valley. You then head to Saint-Georges-sur-Cher for dinner and night at the B&B.

Day 8 - Breakfast and departure around 9.00 a.m. to the train station in Montrichard.

We reserve the right to make any changes to riding program, including the cancellation of hotels or B&B. 

The program is subject to change due to local circumstances beyond our control.

Travel Information

Travel: Book flight/rental car >>
Fly to Paris, then take the train to the town of Montrichard.
From Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, train to Montrichard (change of trains required). Train times and tickets at www.sncf.fr

Transfer: You will be met at the train station at Montrichard: 2023 at 6:30 p.m. 2024 at 6:00 p.m. Price: 20 EUR per person round trip. Paid on location.

Misc.: Entrance fees are not included and are paied direct, approx. ca 100 EUR.

Dates and prices

DateDaysName of tripPrice from
08/06/20248France - Castles of the Loire
Fully booked
EUR 2,285Book on request
16/06/20248France - Castles of the Loire
Fully booked
EUR 2,285Book on request
10/08/20248France - Castles of the Loire
Fully booked
EUR 2,285Book on request
18/08/20248France - Castles of the Loire
Fully booked
EUR 2,285Book on request

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