We are planning to travel in the Loire and the Dordogne (May 2023). We would like two separate 7 or 8 day tours, with a few days in-between.
There are many self-guided tour operators. Few guided tours that I have found, mo$t of which are tres cher, as the French might $ay.
Do any of you have suggestions for particular operators? Both self-guided as well as guided, if any of the latter are reasonably priced and well equipped and operated. Merci beaucoup
Fred, from Seattle
I used Discover France for a self-guided bike tour in Provence. I did this trip with 2 friends in 2019. The road bikes were good. The accommodations they arranged were very nice. They transported our luggage to the next hotel. The directions and gps were good. I thought the price was very reasonable. I highly recommend them.
I’ve used Discover France 5 times, and I’ve never been disappointed. Alsace, Burgundy, twice in Provence, and the Loire, which was our first. Jvb’s recommendation is spot on. I.’ve also done self=guided rides in Italy (5) and Spain (3) using different outfitters,, and Discover France was as good or better than all of them. If they Still offer a Loire tour that includes stays at Chateau d’Artigny and Chateau du Pray, go for it. Absolute heaven
A negative recommendation, although based on experience almost twenty years ago: we had a lot of problems with a self-guided tour from La Bicyclette Verte: we'd reserved two rental bikes but they had only prepared one, the information we were given about hotels, etc., was insufficient, and they promised a return train ticket and never provided it so we had to buy it ourselves (having already paid for it). On the other hand, some friends had an apparently trouble-free trip with them, but in a different region. (We were on the Canal du Midi.)
Thanks to all. All information is good. Larry and jvb, thanks for your Discover France reviews. I had been to their website but had not given them that much consideration until your posts.
Has anyone used Velo Voyageur. Like Discover France, they seem to have a 2022 Traveler's Choice rating from Trip Advisor, though the reviews are not quite as high. Close, but not quite.
The Velo Voyageur offerings, flexibility and "App" are all intriguing.
fred -
we used cycling country in spain for a self-guided trip through Andalucia and loved it. They have several options in the Loire that look amazing, and we seriously considered doing it this year, but ultimately decided not to because we had kids with us. I really want to do the 6 day Route of the Kings on the west side of Tours. Someday! The self-guided options are quite reasonable.
https://www.cyclingcountry.com/bike-tours-in-france/
Beth
