Cycle the Loire Valley

Amboise has 12,000 inhabitants and is in the heart of Touraine, in the land of chateaux. It is a town both traditional and modern, lively and quiet. In Amboise, there is a royal castle set above the Loire Valley and is a strong point extensively embellished during the 15th and 16th centuries. The Tour des Minimes, with its spiral staircase enabling riders to enter without dismounting, is the only one that has survived the ravages of time. The St. Hubert chapel is delightful and quite close to the country house of Clos-Luce where Leonardo da Vinci died and was buried. The medieval Town Hall and St. Florentin church, with its fluted pillars, are in the town while St. Denis stands above it.

ANGERS — Angers, known as the “Gateway to the Chateaux Country,” is a energetic university town (pop. 196,000) full of half-timber houses and Renaissance mansions. The medieval capital of Anjou, Angers was once ruled by Henry II of England, father of Richard the Lion-Hearted and King John. Amid its allures are the formidable 17-tower fortress;
the magnificent three-tower, 12th-century Hospital of St. Jean; the arches of St. Serge Church; and a 13th-century castle (it has the 77-panel Apocalypse Tapestry of the Gospel of St. John). For a immense view, climb the castle tower. Also be sure to see the Chapel and the Logis Royal, the Fine Arts Museum and the Hotel Pince Museum. Several nights could be consumed in the area; there are several chateaux within an easy drive (other chateaux can be located in the nearby Loire Valley).