Day 1 Bourges
Arrival in Bourges. Check-in and first French dinner.
Day 2 Chateau Menetou and Menhirs 44 km
Our first day of cycling takes us to Chateau Menetou. Built in the 12th century by Jacques Coeur, a major financier of King Charles VII, it was significantly altered in the 19th century in the neo-Gothic style. Its 800-hectare park and high-quality interior furnishings are well worth a visit. After spending the morning cycling through cornfields, we now reach the densely wooded Berry region with its fern bushes and thick forests. After a stop at the Pierre Pointue menhir and a trip back in time to the megalithic era, we continue our bike tour. Transfer back to the hotel.
Day 3 St Amand Montrond and Noirlac Abbey 51 km
Today we start with our bikes from the hotel and enjoy our first stop in St. Amand de Montrond with its magnificent location on the Canal du Berry. Its fortress is the only bastion fortress built in central France. It is located on an isolated limestone hill at the confluence of two rivers. The first fortification with a large round keep dates back to the early 13th century. After the tour, our bike route takes us partly along the Canal du Berry to the Cistercian Abbey of Noirlac. The 12th-century Cistercian abbey is one of the best-preserved monastic complexes in Europe. Return transfer.
Day 4 Experience Canal de Vierzon and Chateau Valencay 62 km
We start the day on a beautiful cycle route along the Canal de Vierzon. We just let ourselves roll along and enjoy the picturesque atmosphere. Today’s program includes a part of the history of Berry and, at the end of the day, the Chateau Valencay. Welcome to the home of Prince Talleyrand. In Valencay, you enter the home of a great statesman. The collections of furniture, sculptures, paintings, and precious objects in the Château de Valençay give it the character of a residence that is still inhabited. As witnesses to the regime changes that ruled France during the prince’s lifetime, the different styles harmonize and contribute to the charm of the place. The flower beds in the garden are renewed each season, giving the château a colorful setting that does justice to its architectural value. The forest, with its 25 species of trees, is carefully maintained. The garden and château are among the most impressive grounds in the Loire region. Return transfer.
Day 5 Apremont-sur-Allier river landscapes 53 km
Today, water once again determines our cycling route. Apremont-sur-Allier, a charming medieval village, was upgraded in the interwar period by ironworks owner Eugène Schneider from Le Creusot. A beautiful piece of work: not a single brick, half-timbered wall, turret, or hollyhock that does not contribute to the harmony of the whole. Einige Kilometer flussabwärts passieren wir die runde Schleuse von Lorrains und dann die Kanalbrücke von Guétin, die beide 1838 erbaut wurden. Letztere ermöglicht es dem Seitenkanal der Loire, 11 Meter über dem Allier zu verlaufen. Unser Ziel ist Charité-sur-Loire. Hier zeigt sich der Fluss, die Loire, in ihrer ganzen Pracht. Die Île du Faubourg bietet den schönsten Blick auf die Stadt, die sich im Wasser des Flusses spiegelt. Die eleganten Bögen der alten Steinbrücke führen uns zum Cluniazenserpriorat und zur Kirche Notre-Dame, die im 12. Jahrhundert eine der größten Kirchen der Christenheit war. Rücktransfer.
Day 6 From Cher to Issoudun and the vineyards 43 km
First thing in the morning, we visit the impressive Bourges Cathedral before a short transfer to the Cher. Here we set off on our bikes and experience one of the most important tributaries of the Loire before turning off into the wine-growing region of Reuilly. Soon the first rolling hills with their vines come into view. The day ends with a wine tasting and return transfer to the farewell dinner.
Day 7 Departure
Before you leave, we recommend visiting the colorful market in Bourges!
Comments