Cycling the Loire Valley
 

I'm an avid cyclist; single female & 55 yrs old. Visiting the Loire Valley "solo" on May 26 for 3 nights and need advice on where to stay (B&B and/or guest house)that is central in order to cycle around the various villages/towns in the short time that I have.

Tours is the most central Loire city, with Amboise, Chenonceau, Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau and Chinon within 25-30 miles. I wish I could recommend a place in Tours to stay but when I was that area, I didn't visit there. I'm sure someone else will, though.

We stayed in Amboise. There is a bike shop in town (rentals), and the man was very nice in providing a bike route map thru the small towns and villages- called the 'Route des Vignobles'- We spoke no French, he no English. It all worked out perfectly.



You go across the main bridge in town, about 1/2 mile on sidewalks, then the route begins, and you lose all the traffic/congestion. Let the ride begin!

we spent about 3 1/2 hours just cruising along miles of flat (mostly) narrow lanes enjoying the beauty - almost zero cars - with every mile or so, a village or small town, rose gardens, vineyards, etc. one of the most pleasant mornings of my life. Opportunities for water and refreshments along the way. Everyone so friendly. Along the Loire river itself is poor choice - highway only, lotsa traffic and not much scenery - we are also mid 50's and did just fine.

I would vote for Amboise vs Tours. It's a very pretty small town and you can be into the countryside and on to other little towns very quickly. Tours is considerably larger and it would require more effort to even get to the areas where cycling would be fun.

I stayed in Blois for three days. There were free loaner bikes (clunkers) available and I rode one out to the chateau at Chambord. I took the train to Amboise for another chateau and the Leonardo da Vinci museum Clos Luce. By train I went to Tours and then to Chenonceaux. These are all feasible by bike, perhaps in 3 days. FWIW my room in Blois many years ago was at the Hotel du Bellay at 12 rue des Minimes. It was a small place, clean and inexpensive. While I was there the owners decided to take a short holiday and disappeared for a day and a half!

I would recommend that you get the Michelin Green Guide "Chateaux of the Loire" and Michelin Map 64.

Thanks everyone for your terrific advice...can't wait. Will be staying in Amboise. Lucy