LivingAmused

My husband and I have been to France a few times but never been to the Loire Valley. We are planning to be there for 3 nights in early December. We love Wine and historic places to visit/stay at. We can rent a car or use public transportation. Our budget would be up to $300/night for lodging.
1. What would be the best base? Should we go fro Western or Eastern Loire?
2. What are the charming towns to stay at or nearby?
3. What are the best Castle Hotels to stay at?
4. What are the best restaurants?

Please help us decide.

annhig

Hi Livingamused,

there are a few threads going here at the moment about where to stay in the Loire and things to see and do there - do try searching for them. [i can recommend maitaitom's current trip report too!]

opinion is divided about where the best base is - Amboise, Saumur and Chinon all get lots of votes with the Manoir des Minimies in Amboise getting consistently good reviews:

http://www.manoirlesminimes.com/

the first time we stayed in the area we were based in Saumur which we liked very much, the second time we chose Amboise which we didn't like quite so much, but either would be very nice, and close to the things you are likely to want to see.

FrenchMystiqueTours

Look at the responses in this thread, where someone basically asks the same questions you do about spending 3 days in the Loire:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic....html#45429132

The thread above will have info about tourist office websites and how you can use them to find hotel/accommodation and restaurant info. For more restaurant info try:

http://www.thefork.com/

It will most likely make sense to look for restaurant info once you know where you'll be staying and what you're seeing and doing.

Decide what you want so see and do and then decide which place makes a good base central to the sites you want to see.

For château accommodation try these websites:

http://www.relaischateaux.com/
http://www.symbolesdefrance.com/
http://www.chateauxdemeures.fr/
http://www.chateauxhotels.com/
http://www.au-chateau.com/
http://www.bienvenueauchateau.com/
http://www.tablethotels.com/

annhig

Here's maitaitom's trip report - the Loire is about half way through.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...m#last-comment

Langcraft

I have used Angers as a base town in the western Loire valley and found it to be very convenient. Angers sits on the Maine River, a tributary of the Loire. From Paris Gare Montparnasse, the TGV arrives at Angers Gare St. Laud in 90 minutes. Take a day to explore the Chateau d'Angers, the Musee Lurcat and the Cathedrale St. Maurice. As far as wine tasting, there is a regional wine shop right across from the Chateau on Place President Kennedy which allows tastings of the local and regional appellations. After Angers, you could pick up a car and drive to Saumur, which is a delightful town right on the Loire river which also has a chateau, overlooking the Loire and the Pont Cessart which spans the river.

snowgirls

http://www.manoirlesminimes.com/

Can also recommend this place as have stayed one night in their private cottage- loved it!
Amboise is great for the museum and walking around the historical buildings.Samur also spectacular and I remember the town had lots of open patios for food.
Consider Nantes if you have the time. Loved the city, tons of food choices and up scale shops, great vibe all around.Loved it so much we stayed an extra day

nytraveler

We stayed near Chinon - Chateau des Reaux - which we liked a lot. But I'm not sure if all of the chateaux - either hotel type or the huge ones for touring - are open all the time in Dec. And due to early dark they may well have shorter hours.

I think you will need to do some checking to see what is open when, since this is definitely off season.

We thought Amboise was a charming town. Chinon was also pleasant, as was Saumur. Don;t miss Fontevraud Abbey - esp the tombs of several of the Plantagenets, including of Richard Coeur de Lion.

bilboburgler

As above, you can also stay at Fontevraud Abbey, very spooky at night.
The Loire is about 1000km long and has wine production along most of its length. I guess you know the high points are Sancerre (Sauvignon Blanc) (and Quincy and Ruilly) and Pinot Noir from across the river.
Then loads of Chenin Blanc and Pinot Franc all the way, Coteaux du Layon, Vouvray (well worth a tasting here), the Little ACs around Chinon north of the river and Saumur (and its relations) south of the river and after a bit the Muscadets+ of the river mouth.

Just about every little AC has a tasting centre from posh ones on river fronts to little caves cut out of the chalk. Opening hours vary (assume that most places close for a couple of hours for lunch). If you have a particular place you want to taste, make an appointment or else they may be out at the market!

You can also pop up Le Loir (the river to the north) and find another bunch of Chenins up there