Travel to France : The Essentials

Explore Paris, the Loire Valley by Bike, and Normandy

12 days
Easy
Loire Valley, Normandy, Paris
Creation
Heritage, Ocean

Embark on an adventure in France

This immersive journey through France introduces you to some of the country’s most iconic regions. Begin in the Loire Valley, cycling through a landscape shaped by royal history, magnificent châteaux, and the gentle curves of France’s longest river.

Continue on to Paris, where your days are devoted to discovering the capital’s legendary landmarks and refined elegance. Then head to Normandy, walking in the footsteps of the Allied forces during the liberation of France. From the D-Day landing beaches to the awe-inspiring Mont-Saint-Michel, history unfolds at every turn. This thoughtfully curated itinerary blends heritage and culture, with each day dedicated to meaningful discovery.

From

5865 €

per person

Trip Highlights

  • 1
    Experience Paris and its world-renowned landmarks
  • 2
    Cycle through the Loire Valley and visit its most iconic châteaux
  • 3
    Gain powerful insight into D-Day history in Normandy
  • 4
    Tour the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel
Paris - Loire Valley - Normandy (1)

Your itinerary in France

1

Arrival in Paris and transfer to Blois

Upon arrival in Paris, take the train directly from the airport to Blois. If time allows, spend the afternoon visiting the Château de Blois, once home to seven kings of France. You may also enjoy wandering through this charming riverside town, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its cultural and historical significance.

Blois // Blois
2

Chambord and Cheverny loop tour

16 or 26 miles
+289 ft

Your first cycling stage follows scenic bike paths along the Loire River. Soon, you enter the vast Chambord Forest, where the château’s distinctive silhouette gradually emerges. Commissioned in 1519 by King François I, Chambord is one of the masterpieces of the French Renaissance.

With its 426 rooms, 282 fireplaces, and the famous double-helix staircase attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, it embodies royal ambition and visionary design.

For the return to Blois, you may opt for a peaceful forest route along quiet country roads. More ambitious cyclists can extend the loop to Château de Cheverny, celebrated for its refined architecture and richly furnished interiors. Cheverny famously inspired Hergé’s creation of Marlinspike Hall in The Adventures of Tintin.

Chambord_Jardins-fleurs_credit_LdeSerres_DomaineNationaldeChambord
3

Blois - Amboise

27 miles
+568 ft

Today’s stage first brings you to Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire. Perched high above the river, this fortress-like château invites exploration. Be sure not to miss the International Garden Festival, where contemporary art and landscape design come together in creative harmony.

Continue toward Amboise. From the riverbank, admire the château rising above town. Nearby, visit Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci’s final residence. Invited by King François I, the Renaissance master spent the last three years of his life here. The park displays working models of his inventions.

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4

Amboise - Chenonceaux

9 or 19 miles
+820 or +2904 ft

The distance today is flexible, depending on how much you feel like cycling. Pedal through the rolling countryside of Touraine, leaving the Loire behind and crossing woodland before reaching the banks of the Cher River. Along the bike path, Château de Chenonceau gradually comes into view.

Known as the “Ladies’ Château”, this Renaissance jewel gracefully spans the Cher River. Influenced by the powerful women who shaped it (Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de’ Medici) it reflects refined taste and architectural balance. Inside, galleries, tapestries, and formal gardens showcase remarkable elegance.

A longer alternative route takes you through the Montlouis vineyards, pedaling along quiet country lanes winding between rows of vines before reconnecting with the path to Chenonceaux.

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5

Chenonceaux - Tours

22 miles
+164 ft

For your final cycling day, follow dedicated bike paths along the Cher River. Pedal past orchards, meadows, and privately owned slate-roofed châteaux. The route passes several traditional needle dams characteristic of the region. You enter Tours along the Loire River.

 

In the evening, relax with a drink at Place Plumereau, surrounded by half-timbered houses. You may also visit Saint-Gatien Cathedral or sample regional specialties such as Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine goat cheese, Tours nougat, rillons, and rillettes.

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6

Tours - Paris

This morning, a private driver transfers you to Tours train station for your journey to Paris. After checking into your hotel, discover the capital in a vintage 2CV car, an iconic symbol of 20th-century France. This unique tour offers a charming perspective on the city’s most celebrated landmarks.

In the evening, enjoy a refined dinner cruise along the Seine. As you glide past illuminated monuments at sunset, Paris reveals a different, unforgettable dimension.

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7

Paris

Begin the day with a guided tour of Île de la Cité, the historic heart of Paris. With an expert guide, visit Sainte-Chapelle and Notre-Dame Cathedral, stepping back into the 12th and 13th centuries when Paris was one of Europe’s most prestigious cities.

In the early afternoon, continue with a gourmet exploration of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Alongside your guide, discover key locations linked to the early days of the French Revolution while deepening your understanding of French culinary heritage and its evolution.

2
8

Paris - Bayeux

Enjoy a leisurely morning to explore Paris at your own pace. Stroll through Montmartre, ascend the Eiffel Tower, or walk along the Champs-Élysées.

In the afternoon, take the train to Bayeux in Normandy. Two landmark invasions, nearly 900 years apart, placed this town at the center of pivotal moments in Western history: William the Conqueror’s 1066 invasion of England and the Allied landings in 1944.

Bayeux is an ideal base for exploring historic sites. Its preserved architecture spans from the 13th to the 18th centuries, crowned by its magnificent Gothic cathedral.

6
9

D‑Day Landing Beaches

Today is dedicated to the D-Day beaches. Accompanied by your guide, visit key historical sites while learning about the war, German occupation, and the French Resistance. Personal stories of soldiers bring powerful perspective to the experience.

After a stop at the German cemetery, continue to Pointe du Hoc, where U.S. Rangers scaled the cliffs under heavy fire. Beaches, bunkers, bomb craters, and sweeping coastal views vividly recount the events of June 6, 1944. A stop at Omaha Beach completes the tour.
At the end of the day, enjoy free time either to further explore the sites or visit the interpretive center.

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10

Mont-Saint-Michel

Today you head to Mont-Saint-Michel. Rising dramatically from a vast tidal bay known for some of Europe’s strongest tides, this architectural marvel feels suspended between sea and sky.

Dominated by a Benedictine abbey founded in the 10th century, the island is a designated historic monument. Explore its medieval halls, cloister, and church as your guide shares its rich history along cobbled streets. From the summit, sweeping views stretch across the bay. Return to Bayeux in the late afternoon.

3
11

Bayeux - Paris

Enjoy your final morning exploring Bayeux’s charming town center. In the afternoon, take the train back to Paris and spend the night near the airport for a smooth departure the next day.

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12

End of the tour in Paris

It’s time to bid farewell to France. You return home with lasting memories of the Loire Valley, Paris, and Normandy. Should you wish, you may extend your stay and continue exploring new regions of France, the journey never truly ends.

5

Accommodation options

Superior category

For a more exclusive cycling experience, the Superior Category includes a refined selection of 4- and 5-star properties that blend elegance with high-end amenities.

These are sophisticated places with attentive service and a true sense of exclusivity, ideal for elevating your trip with added comfort, style, and refinement after each cycling stage.

An ideal option to elevate your trip with added comfort, style, and refinement.

* Photos for illustration purposes only

From 5865 € / person

Superior category

(based on double occupancy)

Daily arrival in 2026

    From 5865 €

Options

    Ebike rental 120 €

The price includes

11 nights with breakfasts in 4 and 5 hotels
4-day standard bike rental equipped with a front bag, a rear bag and a helmet
Luggage transfer from stage to stage (1 bag per person, maximum 20 kg) from Day 2 to Day 5
A detailled roadbook with visits suggestions and vouchers
Access to a GPS app from Day 2 to Day 5
1.5-hour private guided tour of Paris by 2CV on Day 6
  • 1
    Dinner cruise on the Seine on Day 6
  • 2
    Small-group guided tour of Notre-Dame de Paris and Sainte-Chapelle on Day 7
  • 3
    Small-group food tour in Saint-Germain-des-Prés on Day 7
  • 4
    Small-group guided excursion to the D-Day Landing Beaches on Day 9
  • 5
    Small-group guided excursion to Mont-Saint-Michel on Day 10
  • 6
    Private transfer from Blois train station to the hotel on day 1
  • 7
    Private transfer from the hotel to Tours train station on day 6
  • 8
    Private transfer from Paris train station to the hotel on day 6
  • 9
    Private transfer from the hotel to Paris train station on day 8
  • 10
    Private transfer from Bayeux train station to the hotel on day 8
  • 11
    Private transfer from the hotel to Bayeux train station on day 11
  • 12
    Train ticket from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Blois on day 1
  • 13
    Train ticket from Tours to Paris on day 6
  • 14
    Train ticket from Paris to Bayeux on day 8
  • 15
    Train ticket from Bayeux to Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle on day 11
  • 16
    Telephone assistance in case of emergency

The price doesn’t include

International flights
Transfers from/to the starting/departing points
Ebike rental
Lunches and dinners
A cycling guide
A support vehicle accompanying the cyclists
Activities as mentionned as optional
City taxes
Personal expenses
All that is not mentionned in the section "The price includes"

Additional information

By air
Paris has two main international airports: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Paris Orly Airport.

By train
Paris is served by several major railway stations, including Gare de Lyon, Gare du Nord, Gare Montparnasse, and Gare Saint-Lazare. National and international rail networks make it easy to reach the capital.

Return travel from Paris is not arranged by us. Each participant is therefore free to plan their departure according to their preferences and schedule.

If you need recommendations to organize your return or extend your stay in France, please feel free to contact us.

On the first or second day of your stay, we will deliver your rental bikes directly to your hotel. Each bike is carefully fitted to your height and comes fully equipped with:

  • A front bag
  • A rear bag
  • A helmet (on request)
  • A repair kit

For this trip, you can choose from the following rental options:

  • E-bike for adults (minimum height: 5’1” / 155 cm)
  • Standard bike

To allow you to fully enjoy your cycling journey without worrying about your belongings, we organize luggage transfers at each stage:

  • Please leave your luggage at the hotel reception before 9:00 a.m.
  • Our driver will collect your luggage and deliver it to your next accommodation.
  • You’ll collect them upon arrival, no later than 6:00 p.m.

Each rental bike comes equipped with a rear pannier, perfect for carrying your daily essentials. If you plan to arrive at your next accommodation before 5:00 PM, we recommend packing a change of clothes or an extra outfit in your rear bag.

To support you throughout your journey, we provide a dedicated GPS app. It allows you to follow each stage of your cycling itinerary independently, right from your smartphone.

Before departure, you’ll receive a link to download the app and access your routes. Once on site, simply open the day’s ride and let it guide you. Your map, turn-by-turn directions, and points of interest appear in real time.

Request a quotation

Formulaire demande de devis combiné Paris Vallée de la loire Normandie

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