Eileens

I am a new Canadian Fodorite who will be visiting my daughter (exchange student)in Angers in April. I would appreciate some ideas for day trips. We plan to visit Nantes but I am very interested in the Loire Valley Chateaux. Any suggestions?

Padraig

Have you a particular reason for visiting Nantes? I don't consider it worth a special visit although the chateau is moderately interesting. There is a lot of good stuff in the area, if you have a car.

Again, a car would be a great boon. Along the river from Angers to Saumur is a very pleasant trip. Many people who post here seem, like me, to like Saumur greatly; the chateau there is handsome, but I found the interior a bit of a let down.

Cross to the south bank of the river and continue east. Lots of stuff in the area: Montsoreau, Fontevraud, Chinon, Azay-le-Rideau, Langeais -- okay, by now you would be a good distance from base. It might be worth considering a night away rather than limit yourselves to what is in striking distance, or zipping past interesting stuff.

You also have a lot of wine country around Saumur (some also towards Nantes).

Eileens

Nantes was just a thought because of the close proximity. I am staying 4 nights in Angers and then 2 in Paris before flying home. Perhaps a day trip to Tours to pick up castle tours from there? I am open to any suggestions. I am considering a car rental. I want to stay 2 days in Angers for my daughter to show me what she's been doing! I need some suggestions for Paris too.

StCirq

There's no good reason to go to Tours to get château tours. Just go to the châteaux. Do rent a car.

With such a short time, I'd definitely skip Nantes, and heed Padraig's advice about other nearby places of interest.

Angers is a wonderful town. Be sure to have your daughter show you all the highlights.

Padraig

Okay. You're talking about two days in Angers, and that makes a lot of sense. You should be able to manage some tourism as well as mother-checking-up-on-daughter stuff. The chateau is de rigeur.

The places I suggested can be managed very easily if you decide to take one night away from base at Angers (well, fairly easily, depending on how engrossed you become in things). How about this
- Angers to Saumur along the river, stop Saumur and do stuff (choices);
- Continue east along the river to Montsoreau (small fortified chateau, not the most spectacular);
- Small diversion to Fontevraud to see the massive abbey and the very appealing small church in the village;
- On to Chinon, lovely town with lots of medieval bits and Joan of Arc associations, fine, somewhat ruined fortified chateau;
- thence to Azay-le-Rideau (very attractive smallish chateau, but you might not have time for a visit, and have to settle for seeing the exterior)
- On to Amboise to overnight
Total distance about 100 miles.
- In the morning, visit the handsome chateau at Amboise and the Clos Lucé (where Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years)
- Thence to Chenonceaux to see the most-photographed of all the Loire chateaux (although, if you want to quibble, it's on the Cher)
- Main road back to Angers, perhaps stopping at Bourgueil or StNicolas-de-Bourgueil to taste wine.
Another 100 miles.

Eileens

Thank you for your help. It seems that the consensus is to rent a car and do an overnighter.I appreciate the itinierary too. Can't wait!

Padraig

Unless you really get into researching Loire wines, the second day is not as busy as the first, so I would like to propose one more thing. On the route back a bit after you by-pass Saumur, you will come to Longué. Take a left there, and follow signposting to get you to Les Rosiers sur-Loire (you will have been through it the previous morning). Park. Have dinner. Two very good and affordable restaurants, so toss a coin: Au Val de Loire, in the village square (looks like a nondescript hotel, but Didier Vidus cooks very well, and is an expert with herbs) or La Toque Blanche, cool and elegant, with big windows looking out on the river. I am told that Charles de Gaulle used dine there. Perhaps you could split up and compare notes afterwards!

Eileens

Thank you for the restaurant tips. So much to do and so little time!

kawh

bookmarking

SemiMike

Lots of information (and pictures) on six chateau choices here:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ire-valley.cfm

StCirq

In Angers itself, be sure to visit the château and its extraordinary tapestries, then head to the other side of town and see Jean Lurçat's modern rendition of them.