• Solo travellers may ask to share hotel rooms, and will be able to do so if someone else of the same gender requests the same.  You will initially be invoiced for the single rate, and the difference refunded to you after the trip if a roommate can be found.
• Discount of 10€ per extension day for guests travelling by bike, and bringing their own cycles.
• Children under 16, -20€ for the one-day extension, -40€ for the 2-day extension.
• Group / Family discounts (not cumulable with child discount, above):
  3 riders:  -10€ per person for the one-day extension, -20€ per person for the two-day extension.
  4 or more riders:  -20€ per person the one-day extension, -40€ per person for the two-day extension.
  To qualify for Group / Family rates, all riders must subscribe to the trip at the same time, and share a single invoice.
  

Jump directly to:

Extension Day 1, Chenonceaux & Amboise
Extension Day 2, Vouvray & Tours
Prices
Optional Extras
How to Register for the Day Trip
How to Register for Extension Days (a separate form)
Cancellations and Refunds

• Hotel night(s).
  Our hotels are at the upper end of the 2* range, conveniently located within a couple of blocks of the respective châteaux and train stations.  For information concerning our philosophy in their choice, look here.
  - In Blois, for all guests.
  - In Chenonceaux, only for guests extending two days.
  The Chenonceau hotel is also available at extra cost to non-cycling guests who sign up for the 1-day extension.
  Room upgrades are available in Chenonceaux:  see “Optional Extras,” below.
• Dinner in Chenonceaux for those staying the night.
  This includes all guests subscribing the 2-day extension, and also train riders adding a night in Chenonceaux without the Day 2 extension.
  Dinner is a 3-course “classic French” dinner at the hotel, typically on the terrace should weather permit (beverages not included).
• Continental breakfast(s).
• Our complete “Route Book.”
  The bike version includes route guides detailing our suggested routes and sights of interest along the way, and lunch stop recommendations.
  The train version describes walks between rail stations, town centers, châteaux, and to / from the old town in Tours.  It also provides detailed schedules for the several appropriate rail services on our routes.
• Return tickets, schedules, and boarding tips for the train back to Paris from the Loire Valley.
  - If your extension is the 1-day bike extension, return tickets are from Amboise.
  - If it is the 1-day train extension, they are from Chenonceaux.
  - It it is either of the 2-day extensions, the tickets are from Tours.
  Return tickets from Amboise are “open” — you may ride any departing train without formality.
  Return tickets from Chenonceaux are train-specific:  not refundable or exchangeable.  They depend on a fare code that may not be available on all trains.  Please tell us (approximately) your desired travel time when you subscribe to the trip.  A choice of services will then be proposed.  Higher fare code tickets, permitting more trains, and also the ability to modify or exchange locally (on a space-available basis, for a cost of 10€), are available at an additional cost of 19€ / person.
  Return tickets from Tours are “open” (for use on any regional train).  You may exchange these tickets locally for TGV (high-speed) train tickets, on a space-available basis, at a cost of about 20€ per person, paid directly to the railroad.  Trip time on the TGV is 90 minutes faster than via local services.  The TGV arrives at Montparnasse station (instead of Austerlitz).
  If you wish to pre-reserve tickets on a TGV, you may tell us that (giving us your approximate desired travel schedule — service is frequent), and we will set it up for you in advance.  There is no extra cost for TGV tickets booked at least 30 days in advance.  However they are not refundable nor exchangeable, and must be used on the train for which they are reserved.  Changeable TGV tickets cost an additional 19€:  these can be exchanged locally, on a space-available basis, for afurther cost of 10€.  They are also refundable less 10€.
  
• A Blue Marble Trip Coordinator following Sunday Day Trips only.
  

Additionally Included for Guests Travelling by Bike:

• Bike rental for an additional day or days, depending on the extension subscribed.
  Independent riders should take special note of our conditions of cycle rental, as there will not be a mechanic to assist in the event of a cycle problem.
• Handlebar bag rental for the life of the extension.
• Use of a detailed road map, in case you should get off-route, or choose to explore on your own.
  Upon return to Paris, it is necessary to return the cycle to the Blue Marble office, during our opening hours.  To avoid additional cycle rental charges, return should take place by 12:30p on the day following your final extension day.  Detailed route instructions for the trip from the station to our office, on low-traffic streets or on streets with cycle lanes, are provided.  If you do not wish to return the cycles from the station, you may have us pick them up at an additional cost (see below).

Additionally Included for Guests Travelling by Train:

• Rail tickets
  From Blois to Amboise, and on to Chenonceaux.
  From Chenonceaux to Tours for guests subscribing to the 2-day extension.
• Schedules for other, optional chateau visits
  Extension Day 1:  Chaumont.  Included as part of your route guide, as are train tickets, at no additional cost.
  Extension Day 2:  Azay-le-Rideau, Chinon and / or Langeais.  Rail tickets are not included for visits on Extension Day 2, but they are easily purchased locally to any of the three towns.  We can purchase them for you in advance if you are sure to make the trip, for a flat fee of 15€ (half fare for children 5-12).  These visits can be made as a detour on the trip back to Paris, on condition that some provision has been made for luggage transfer.  Each adds between 90 minutes and 2 hours to your travel time.
  

Extensions following other than Sunday day trips do not include the services of a Blue Marble Trip Coordinator:  they are independent (self-guided).  Châteaux entries are not included in the cost of extension days.

Jump directly to:

Extension Day 1, Chenonceaux & Amboise
Extension Day 2, Vouvray & Tours
Prices
Included
How to Register for the Day Trip
How to Register for Extension Days (a separate form)
Cancellations and Refunds

Optional Extras