Teachers' Travel      Escorted Cycling
2012

 Loire Valley  Barge and Cycle 
 

A guided cycle / barge tour along the River Loire in France. En route we visit castles and 
vineyards. There is also the option of simply staying on board the boat to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Each night the barge moves on to a different stop. Meals are included on board.

Cost per person:       735 UK pounds  ( based on double occupancy ).
                                                                       
Single supplement:   105 UK pounds
2012 Tour Dates:  Every Saturday from April 28  - Sept 22

Duration:              7nights

Tour profile: Some sections are quite hilly. .

Grading: Moderate  

Bikes: 21 gear hybrid bike.  We recommend bringing your own helmet.

Included:  Seven nights accommodation in two-berth cabin with shower and toilet,  breakfast,
lunch and dinner daily, bike rental, guided cycling, transfer from/to Gare du Nord in Paris, 
entrance to a castle and winery.

Barge: We stay on board a Dutch barge, the Anna Maria IV, for the duration of this cycling holiday. Rooms are 2-berth bunkbed cabins. Although accommodation on board the barge is compact, it is comfortable. Most cabins have a private bathroom with shower, toilet and wash basin. Some cabins have shared facilities and for these cabins, we offer a discount. The Anna Maria IV has 10 cabins and can accommodate up to 20 guests.

Meeting point: Gare du Nord, Paris.
On alternate weeks this tour operates in reverse starting in Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses.

 Itinerary
Tours starting in Cours-les-Barres

Day 1: Transfer from Paris Gare du Nord at 15:30 by coach to Cours-les-Barres to join the barge.

Day 2: Cycle to Aprémont to visit the castle, continuing to the town of Nevers before returning to the barge (31 miles).

Day 3:  Sail to the village of Beffes, then cycle to the charming Roman town of La Charité-sur-Loire, continuing to the Pouilly Fumé wine region. In Ménétréol sample some of the region’s excellent wines (34 miles).

Day 4: After visiting the historic town of Sancerre-sur-Loire, cycle through the Sancerre vineyards passing picturesque villages. Re-join the barge in Beaulieu-sur-Loire (31 miles).

Day 5: Cycle past historic locks and over an aqueduct to St. Brisson with its charming castle and surrounding forest. Cross the Loire over a magnificent aqueduct, spending the night in Briare (25 miles).

Day 6: Explore Briare and cycle to the lakeside castle of Pont Chevron. Continue past lakes to the 16th century castle near Bléneau, finishing in Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses, known for its seven locks (28 miles).

Day 7: Enjoy the round trip from Rogny to the market in Châtillon-Coligny and La Bussière Castle, returning to the barge via Escrignelles (31 miles).

Day 8: Depart for Paris by coach.

 Tours starting in Rogny-les-Sept- Écluses

Day 1: Transfer from Paris Gare du Nord by coach to Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses to join the barge.

Day 2: Enjoy the round trip from Rogny to Châttilon-Coligny and La Bussière Castle, returning to the barge via Escrignelles (31 miles).

Day 3: Cycle to Briare via the lakeside castle of Pont Chevron and Gien (31 miles).

Day 4: Sail to Châtillon sur Loire from where you will cycle via St. Brisson with its charming castle to Bealieu-sur-Loire (28 miles).

Day 5: Cycle through the Sancerre vineyards passing picturesque villages to the historic town of Sancerre-sur-Loire. From here, continue on to Ménétréol where you will rejoin the barge (34 miles).

Day 6: Cycle through the Pouilly Fumé wine region to the charming Roman town of La Charité-sur-Loire. Continue to Cours-les-Barres (34 miles).

Day 7: Enjoy a circular ride from Cours-les-Barres to Aprémont, known for its castle, and then to Nevers before returning to the barge (31 miles).

Day 8: Departure day.

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