Riding a bike is about as basic as it gets, other than walking, and France is one of the most bike-friendly countries in Europe to do it. Regardless of your budget, there are many options for weekend or month long trips. When you compare options, be sure to factor in what is and is not included, including meals and bikes.
Some of these variables make it difficult to compare apples to apples, but nonetheless, you will be able to sift through what is important to you. This is the category for luxury American guided tour operators such as Butterfield and Robinson, Backroads and Duvine Adventures.
The Cadillac of the group, hands down, is Butterfield and Robinson. If this type of luxury appeals to you, you can read more about guided bike tours on one of my previous blogs from November, Are Guided Bike Trips Worth It? If you like the idea of a pre-planned itinerary, pre-booked hotels and having your luggage transported each day to your next hotel, then the premier category may appeal to you. This category is comprised of both American and European tour companies specializing in self-guided tours.
Because these tours are self-guided, you have much more flexibility and spontaneity than with a guided tour. You can stop when you want, eat when you want, go off the route to explore, bike early and finish early, or sleep in and bike later. I have found that French bike tour companies offer much better rates than many of their American counterparts. Here are a few of the better known companies offering self-guided tours on the Loire.
Discover France is one of the largest French tour companies, and they offer a number of options for touring the Loire by bike. Bike rental is not included in the price, but is available to add.
