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Loir & Sarthre cycling trip
- Lodging in French castles, to get a taste of chateau life
- Quiet back roads with very little traffic
- One of the richest castle areas of France
- La Fleche: a charming riverside town
- Excellent weekly market along the banks of the river Loir
- Churches with twisted spires
- Beautiful gardens, Medieval castles and vineyards
- The winding and picturesque valley of the Loir River
From: 695 €
Tripcode: FRSC005
4 Comfort
Level 1 - EN:
Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.
Level 1 - EN:
Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
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2 Difficulty
Level 1:
Walking levels:
Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.
Cycling levels:
Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 1:
Walking levels:
Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.
Cycling levels:
Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
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Duration: 7 days
Details
Cycling the Loir & Sarthe Rivers
Nowhere in France will you find as many 'chateaux' and manor houses as in the Loir Valley. This is the Loir without an 'e'. The castles along this river may not be quite as majestic as those of its famous 'sister' valley, the Loire, but they are certainly equally beautiful. Here you cycle along country lanes with almost no traffic, riding through shady woods and yellow fields of sunflowers along the way. Vineyards, ancient cave dwellings, vineyard labourer's cottages, châteaux, manor houses, old churches, picturesque villages and lovely towns like La Flèche, all contribute to the charm of this valley. At the end of each day, you'll feel like a lord arriving at his castle, as you enter the estate where you'll spend the night. Meet the charming owners, delight your palate at dinner and then sleep peacefully in style.
Itinerary
Expand itinerary Collapse itineraryDay 1: Arrival in Seiches
Arrival in Seiches-sur-Loir. Brigitte and Eric will give you a warm welcome.
Day 2: Circular route from Seiches
Through the Loir Valley: this heart-shaped 'route au Coeur' takes you through the village of Seiches sur Loir. On the way, you will pass the chapel in Mateflon, where you have a marvellous view over the Loir river. Take a short break at the abandoned old watermill and enjoy the music of nothing but the sound of water and birds. A narrow gravel road takes you along the river for a stretch, then you move inland past some castles to end today's tour.
Challenge: ca. 41 km with 100m ascent/descent (4-5 hrs)
Day 3: From Seiches s. Loir to Oizé
On quiet country roads, you cycle along the Loir towards Durtal and its castle. Here you'll find proof that, aside from the Loire valley, castle builders also found this area perfect for their masterpieces. You continue on to another small castle, the 15th-16th century chateau of Bazouges, right on the bank of the river. There's a lovely view here of the watermill as you ride over the bridge. Then a section on slightly sloping terrain brings you to the green valley of St. Jean. Just before you get to Oizé you will pass some fascinating monumental 'menhirs'.
Challenge: ca. 41 km
Day 4: Circular route from Oizé
High trees of Bercé. This tour features one of the most magnificent forests. The heavily wooded Sarthe, the Bercé forest, is home to one of the most beautiful oak groves in all of Europe, with species more than 350 years old and 50 metres high. This is your opportunity to reconnect with nature as you cycle among these ancient woodlands. Through fruit plantations and a rural landscape with forgotten villages you cycle back to Oizé.
Challenge: ca. 50 km
Day 5: From Oizé to Durtal
Enjoy some great cycling through the wooded area on the south banks of the river Loir on your way to the next château, the Château Chambier, nicely situated the edge of the Forest of Chambiers. You can relax by the shores of Lake Mansigne before you enter the small town of La Fleche, is famous for its zoo with over 1200 species. For the last few miles you cycle through the forest which forms part of the grounds of the château where you will spent the night.
challenge: ca. 53 km
Day 6: Circular route from Durtal
Today you cycle through various landscapes of the Loir, enjoying woods, fields with sunflowers, vineyards and castles. A wine tasting session in Lué is a must and may also want to ask them for their great 'wine marmalade'. Admire the churches on your way to Baugé, as this is the region of the twisted spires. In the 15th century, Baugé was the residence of Yolande of Aragon, mother of the future King René. The Château in the centre, with its elegant spiral staircase, now houses a museum.
Challenge: ca. 34 or 57 km
Day 7: From Durtal to Seiches s. Loir
A short trip takes you back to Domaine de Bré, where you can pick up your car or book a transfer to the train station in Angers (optional). For those who have chosen to stay another night at Domaine de Bré we have included a 50km tour in the program.
Challenge: ca. 18 or 50 km
Practical info
Included:
- 6 nights accommodations on a half-board basis
- All rooms with en-suite bathrooms
- Breakfast & dinner
- Luggage transport
- 24-hour telephone assistance, just a phone call away
- Detailed maps and road book in English
Not Included:
- Flights and public transportation
- Bike rental
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Admissions and entrance fees of any kind (when not previously agreed upon)
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal extras and expenses such as meals, drinks, phone calls, etc.
- Any items that are not mentioned in the program
Optional Services:
- 21-speed hybrid bike hire (puncture repair kit, pump, lock). Bike is delivered to accommodation
- Train station arrival and/or departure transfers
How to get there:
The best airport of arrival is Paris which is also served by several low cost carriers. Then take the train to Angers. From the train station in Angers you can book transfers from and to the first accommodation.
About the bikes:
You are provided with a comfortable 21-speed hybrid bicycle which will be reserved for you in advance, together with a standard repair kit, pump and locker. If you wish, bring your own helmet.
Reviews
Start: Seiches-s-Loir
Finish: Seiches-s-Loir
Dates & prices
Trip availability: Daily from April 1st until October 31th
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| Double room: | 695 €/person |
| Single room: | 825 €/person |
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| Double room: | 725 €/person |
| Single room: | 895 €/person |
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| Double room: | 695 €/person |
| Single room: | 825 €/person |
Other prices
Bike rental (7 days). 99€
Bike rental (extra day). 6€
Transfer train station - hotel (v.v.). 80€