Loire Valley Day Trips, by Bicycle or Country Bus
Extensions allow you to make the trip into a 2- or 3-day voyage

Weekly Escorted Departures, May 19 to October 23, 2012 (September and October departures by bike only)
Jump to available departure dates
Independent (Self-Guided) Departures Offered Daily

Just a short train ride from Paris:  tour the Loire valley’s elegant châteaux, royal forests, and bucolic villages and farmlands, by bicycle or country bus. 

Blois, Chambord and Cheverny are all on your route.  Move through the day at your own pace, with a trouble-shooter / factotum in the background to help.

• Blois is home to the valley’s most historically important château, the de facto royal palace during the golden age of the renaissance.  The medieval town spills happily down the hillside surrounding the château:  white stone, red brick chimneys, and roofs of blue slate.
• Chambord is the valley’s biggest château, though built as a “mere” hunting lodge.  A veritable jewel of renaissance architecture, 440 rooms of royal excess surrounded by a forest.  Da Vinci designed the staircase, some clown diverted a river to pass in front... there is a lot going on.  And finally...
• Cheverny, one of the most sumptuously furnished of the region’s châteaux, and one of her most harmonious.  Built in the 17th century in a unified style, Cheverny’s classical architecture presents a pleasing contrast with renaissance Chambord and largely pre-renaissance Blois.
  

And in between, the sunflower fields, oak forests, and babbling brooks of the Jardin de France, France’s beautiful and self-assured heartland.

Extensions are available, by bike or train, to make the day trip into a 2- or 3-day voyage.   A Blue Marble guide accompanies extensions following Sunday departures, all other extensions are independent.  A first day takes in Chenonceaux and Amboise, while a second further adds Vouvray and Tours.  See details (links to a new page).




Jump directly to

• Train + Bike itinerary
• Train + Bus itinerary
• Available Departure Dates
• Prices
• Optional Extras
• How to Register for a Trip
• Cancellation Conditions
• Meeting Your Trip
• Trip Extensions (Day 2, Day 3)
  Links to a new page
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

By Bike:  the Itinerary

Pedal from château to château, following dedicated bike paths and country lanes with minimal traffic.
A wonderful way to feel the breezes and enjoy the bucolic countryside of the Jardin de France.  Terrain is flat, distances can be expanded or contracted to taste....


The Itinerary

Meet at Paris’ Austerlitz station, at 8:45a.
An alternate meeting is available in Blois, at 11a.
Details are below, “Meeting Your Trip.”

An express train brings us to Blois, in the Loire Valley, in 90 minutes.
Unless he has to go down early with extra bikes, a Blue Marble representative is aboard to answer questions about the valley, destribute route information, and be generally helpful.  If he’s asleep in a corner, go poke him.

We size our bikes in the station forecourt, and off we go! First stop:  Chambord....
A detailed route guide leads you on a 16-kilometer (10-mile) pedal through fields and forests.  All but a couple of k are on bike paths or farm lanes, and traffic is minimal.  Our “sweep rider” follows the rear cyclist, and is available to help you learn how to change gears, or with any mechanical issues.

Lunch in the Chambord forest (not included).
Cafés, restaurants, and picnic tables with spectacular views of the château are all available.

Visit the château, or maybe change steeds and go for a horseback ride in the forest.

In the afternoon, return to Blois via a different route, or tack on a longer ride via Cheverny.

The ride via Cheverny is 39 kilometers / 25 miles.
Unless everyone chooses that route, our “Sweep Rider” will follow the direct route back to Blois.  But we stay at the Blois station until the final rider is in, on call to assist a stranded rider.

In the evening, back to Paris on your own schedule.
Trains run hourly until 9p.
Or continue your ride tomorrow, to Chenonceau, Amboise, Vouvray, Tours....  The link will take you to another page, describing our trip extensions.

Jump directly to

• Available Departure Dates
• Prices
• Optional Extras
• Cancellation Conditions
• How to Register for a Trip
• Meeting Your Trip
• Trip Extensions (Day 2, Day 3) — links to a new page

By Bus:  the Itinerary

Meet at Paris’ Austerlitz station, at 9a.
An alternate meeting is available in front of the Blois station, at 11a.
Details are below, “Meeting Your Trip.”

An express train brings us to Blois, in the Loire Valley, arriving at 11a.
A Blue Marble representative is generally on board to answer questions about the valley, distribute route information, and be helpful. In all events, one is on hand both in Paris at train departure, and in Blois upon arrival.

A bus meets your train, and takes you from the Blois station, past the Blois château (you’ll be able to visit when you return), and across the river to Chambord.
If you prefer to visit and lunch in Blois before going out to the country châteaux, a second bus is available.  See below for an overview schedule of the buses that will be at your service during the day.

Lunch in the Chambord park (not included).
Cafés, restaurants, and picnic tables with spectacular views of the château are all available.

Then in for a visit.
Horseback riding and cycle rental are also available for a promenade in the forest.

You may spend either 2 and a half or 5 hours at Chambord, depending on how much time you wish to give to each of Chambord, Cheverny and Blois.  2 and a half hours is usually ample for lunch and a visit.  But an elaborate lunch, a careful visit, and a horseback ride or walk in the forest, can have you on the later bus.

On to Cheverny and Blois.  An overview of all buses is shown below.

Return to Paris on your own schedule:  trains from Blois back to Paris run roughly hourly until 9p.
If you prefer, spend the night in Blois for the pleasure of the town.  We offer a reasonably-priced, well-situated hotel, which lets you drop your baggage there in the morning when you arrive.

You may even continue your odyssey tomorrow, to Chenonceaux, Amboise, Tours.... See our trip extensions.

2012 Departure Dates for Escorted Trips
Independent departures are possible on most dates, though there are some weekend / holiday blackouts.
Guest-Initiated (escorted) departures can be schedules for groups of 4 or more, subject to availability.
Additonal Day Trip departures are offered in Burgundy, Champagne....

Prices

Train + Bike: 
179€ / person
159€ / person for regularly-scheduled departures where registration is received at least 35 days in advance
Early registration price does not apply if a larger, age-based discount is available.
Other exclusions apply.  See available discounts, below.

Includes...

• Train tickets from Paris to the Loire Valley and return.
  A discount is available to guests who do not need train tickets in one or both directions.
• A Bicycle
  The rental of a 21-or-more speed road touring cycle, designed for distance riding on paved lanes and paths, equipped with seat tools, air pump, patch kit, spare inner tube, lighting system, and lock.  A choice of bike styles and sizes is available:  see here for details, and tell us what you would prefer on your sign-up form.  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
  Bag is equipped with a map pouch, and has a shoulder strap, useful for carrying valuables off the bike when you stop.
• Bike transport, from Paris to Blois and return.
  You must generally ride the same train as your cycle.  If you are not returning to Paris at the end of the day (or at all), we can transport your cycle back to Paris for you for a nominal charge.  See “Optional Extras,” below.
• Entry fees to any of Blois, Chambord or Cheverny castles
  No refund is due for castles not visited.  Entry fees to other / alternate attractions are not included.
• Trip Coordinator / Sweep Rider (Escorted Departures)
  A Blue Marble is present, at the Paris station, generally (but not always) on the train to Blois, in Blois, on the ride from Blois to Chambord, in Chambord, on the return ride to Blois, and in Blois for assistance in boarding the return train.  Also reachable by mobile phone at all times.
  For independent trips:  one of our representatives meets you at the station, helps you load your bike(s) to the train, and explains the route book and rail tickets.  S/he then returns in the evening to bring the bikes back from the station, after your return from the valley.  A discount is available if you prefer instead to claim your bikes at our office on the eve of your trip, and bring them back to our office on the morning following your trip.   
• Our Route Guide
  Offers discussions of the sites en route, detailed cycle routes between Blois, Chambord, and Cheverny, and schedules for return trains to Paris.
• Detailed maps, in case you should get off-route, or choose to explore on your own.
  

Train + Bus: 
149€ / person
129€ / person for regularly-scheduled departures where registration is received at least 35 days in advance.
Early registration price does not apply if a larger, age-based discount is available.
Other exclusions apply.  See available discounts, below.

Includes...

• Train from Paris to the Loire Valley and return.
  A discount is available to guests who do not need train tickets in one or both directions.
• Bus from Blois to Chambord, Cheverny and return to Blois.
• Entry fees to any of Blois, Chambord or Cheverny castles.
  No refund is available for castles not visited.  Entry fees to other / alternate attractions are not included.
• Tour Manager
  A Blue Marble is present, at the Paris station, generally (but not always) on the train to Blois, in Blois, in Chambord, and back in Blois for assistance in boarding the return train.  Also reachable by cell phone at all times.
• Our Route Guide
  Discusses the sites en route, bus meeting times and points, and schedules for return trains to Paris.
  
  

Available Discounts
Discounts must be claimed at time of sign-up, they cannot be applied retro-actively.

• No Train Tickets:  -32€
  Discount is 16€ if you need tickets in one direction only.
  Discount is helpful if you are travelling on a railpass, reaching / leaving Blois by other than train, or arriving or departing via other than Paris.
• Bringing Your Own Cycle (train + bike version only):  -35€
  
• Early Registration:   see differential pricing, above.
  Registration and full payment must be received by 4p, Paris time, 35 days prior to the trip date (for example, by April 10 for a May 15 trip).  The discount is based on an advance-purchase rail fare, and so cannot be applied if registration is not complete at that point.  This means, for example, that if your credit card issuer initially declines to process the foreign transaction (a common occurance) on the last day of eligability for the discount, and the charge does not go through until the next day, the discount price cannot apply.  Moral:  do not cut this one too closely.
  The Early Registration Discount does not apply to the following riders:
  - Travellers receiving an age-based discount (the higher discount will apply).
  - “Founding Members” of Guest-Initiated departures (trips scheduled for you and your party).
  - Independent travellers (not on our regularly scheduled trips).
  - Travellers claiming a “no train ticket” discount.
• Independent Trips Only:  Picking Up Your Cycle at Our Office, and / or Returning it There:  -10€in each direction.
  Cycle pick-up must take place on the office opening day prior to your independent trip, between 4 and 6:30p.  Cycle(s) must returned to our office on the business day following your trip, by 12 noon.
• Age-Based Discounts
  Not cumulable with “group / family” discounts, “early registration” discount, or discounts for no train tickets.  The higher discount will apply.
  - Infant / toddler (3 and younger):  no charge for “Train + Bus” version, 40€ for “Train + Bike” version (includes cycle trailer or child seat)
  - Child (ages 4 - 11):  -50€
  - Youth (12 - 25):  -20€ (-10€ if you are travelling to the Loire on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning, or returning from the Loire on Sunday evening.  No reduction if you are doing both).
  - Senior (60 or older):  -10€ (does not apply if you are travelling to the Loire on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning, or returning from the Loire on Sunday evening).
• Group / Family
  3 or more travellers:  -10€ per traveller 26 - 59 (does not apply to travellers under 26 or over 60, but who receive higher or equivalent, age-based discounts).
  4 or more travellers:  -15€ per traveller 26 or older (does not apply to travellers under 26, but who receive higher or equivalent, age-based discounts).
  “Group / Family” discounts do not apply to Guest-Initiated departures (trips scheduled at your request).
  All members of a group / family must join the trip at the same time for the discount to apply.  Subsequent subscribers, even of the same family, do not qualify. 

Optional Extras
Must be ordered in advance, and are subject to availability.

• First Class Upgrade on the Train:  +28€ / person
  - 12€ for outbound only, 16€ for return only
  - 22€ return (11€ in each direction) for travellers 12 - 25 years old
  - 14€ return (7€ in each direction) for children under 12
• Cell Phone Rental:  10€ for the first day, +5€ per additional day
  - Calling charges, if any, are additional, typically 0.50€ / minute.  Incoming calls are free.
  - Longer-term rental rates are available, see here.
  For escorted trips, phone will be delivered on board the train, and must be returned to our Trip Manager at the end of your time in the Loire Valley, or to our office if rental is longer term.
• Bike Equipment
  - Helmet:  5€
  Helmets are not legally required, and most riding is on low-traffic roads.  However, as any cyclist knows, they are strongly recommended....
  - Rain poncho:  5€
• Pre- or Post-Trip Hotel in Blois, with Breakfast:  40€ / person double or twin occupancy.  61€ single.
  - Centrally-located 2-star hotel, all rooms with shower or bath and WC, including tax, continental breakfast, agency charges.
  - Solo travellers may ask to share, and will be able to do so if someone else of the same gender requests the same.  You will initially be charged the single rate.  The difference refunded after the trip if a roommate can, indeed, be found.
• 3-course dinner in a pleasant Blois restaurant, available after Saturday and Sunday departures only:  29€
  Our Blue Marble Trip Genius :-) is there to help with the menu.   We choose restaurants a bit “off the beaten track,” run by locals we have long known, long on atmosphere, cuisine, or both.  As a town with many tourists, Blois otherwise offers its share of “traps.”
• Cycle Insurance:  5€ / rental day
  For policy conditions, see here.
• Transport of Cycle Back to Paris
  If you do not wish to return to Paris at the end of your Day Trip, we can transport your cycle for you at a cost of 15€ (following escorted Day Trips only).  Alternatively, you may keep it, and bring it in yourself on a later date.  In this latter case, additional cycle rental charges apply, and you must return the cycle to our office during our opening hours.  Sending your cycle back to Paris is also possible after extension days, but costs are higher.  See the information on trip extensions for details.
  
  

Trip Extensions
On to Chenonceaux, Amboise and Tours, by Bike or Train.
Trip extensions add a second, and (if desired) a third day to your journey.  The title link will bring you to a new page, for details.


Jump directly to:

• Train + Bike itinerary
• Train + Bus itinerary
• Departure Dates
• Prices
• Optional Extras
• How to Register for a Trip
  
• Cancellation Conditions
• Meeting Your Trip
• Trip Extensions (Day 2, Day 3) — links to a new page