How to see Loire Valley Chateaus without a car?

You can actually do Chenonceau by rail as there is a railroad station at the edge of the chateau grounds. However, to get there you may have to go to Tours (by rail) and transfer there.

The chateau in Amboise could also be easily reached by rail (and then a short taxi ride).

Lived in Orleans many years ago. Then the best way to visit the chateaus without a car was by tour. Possibly you may want to rent a car with driver who speaks good English. Waiting for trains, making changes, checking you watch for the return train will distract from your pleasure of seeing these wonderful places.

You can also taxi to Chenonceau. This is pricey 20Euro each way BUT was well worth the splurge for me. There was only one bus to and from Chenonceau when I was there 4 weeks ago (probably more in summer I am guessing), so to beat the crowds I took a taxi and arrived right when it opened - I was the only visitor my entire tour. Just as I was leaving several hugh tour buses dropped off hoards of people and I just smiled....
Do try to see Chateau Amboise - picutres do not do it justice, I thought it beautiful. This chateau is in town so no problem by rail. Same goes for Blois chateau, but you may want to consider a tour for Chambord/Cheverny.

I'm planning my trip for next Sept. and also will be arriving from Paris by train. Amboise is one of my favorite chateaus, having seen many years ago. So I'm delighted that Chateaus Amboise and Blois are walking distance from the station. I had spent some time online today researching that question but couldn't find out how far from town each was. Then I just now thought of the Fodors forums. I can always get a straight answer there. Thanks all.

I am surprised that Amboise is anyone's favorite chateau, actually: reletively recent (1950's) and overrum with tourist buses because it's easy to get to from Paris. It's OK if it's the only chateau you see, but the the chateau (and town) pale in comparison with everywhere else I can think of. It's also about a 20 minute walk from the station.

We usually advise our clients against visiting Amboise, and even those who are adamant about visiting usually agree afterwards that actually they would have preferred to spend more time elsewhere. (When someone asks to t to Amboise and are absolutely positive they HAVE to see it, we put it in the schedule for them, but always allow a lot less time simply because we know they will want to move on)

Don't know if the activity interests you, but travelling by bicycle in the Loire valley is very common. I'm a little old and out of shape but it interests me because it seems inexpensive and unusual and you could go to a lot of out of the way places and still see many of the highlight chateaux. When I was there last I saw a wide range of ages sightseeing this way.

I agree with wizard - we've been to the Loire Valley several times and Amboise is by far our least favorite part of the region. Too many tour buses, we didn't like the "honky tonk" feel along the river, just not our thing.

If the OP decides to base in Angers rather than Orleans, it's pretty easy to see castles without a car. Angers'castle is right in town, Saumur is easily reached by train - as is the renovated chateau in Nantes, with its interactive displays http://www.chateau-nantes.fr/
You can also get to Blois, Bourges and Chenonceaux (the village where Chenonceau the castle is located) by train.
And that's a lot of car-free chateau sightseeing

Amboise isn't any easier to get to than is Chenonceau "from Paris by tour bus" believe me.

There is a bus to Chambord from Blois. It's very easy, but not at all frequent, maybe once or twice a day.

Some years ago we did what we expected would be a walking tour of the chateaux. After jumping out of the way of traffic for eight hours (Ambois to Chenonceau), we switched to a taxi-walking combo: for example, took a cab into the forest halfway between Azay le Rideau and Villandry and walked the rest of the way. I would love to do it again.

Dukey1

Very true, but if Amboise wasn't so close to the road from Paris the buses wouldn't go there.

The Chateau that get the best response from our clients are Chenonceau, Montpoupon, Loches and Cheverny. Azay le Rideau, Villandry and and Chaumont sur Loire come next. mOntresor also rates quite high. The worst response is saved for Clos Luce

Of those Chateaux, Chenonceau and Loches are the closest to regular public transport routes, followed by Azay and (in summer only) Villandry

I absolutely love the Château d'Amboise and the Clos Lucé (which isn't a chateau, but a manoir). The history of the château is absolutely fascinating - way more so than, for example, Chenonceau, which was just a pretty, rich little fantasy building for wealthy potentates.

We took a minivan tour from Paris with either Cityrama or Parisvision.

The worst response is saved for Clos Luce

Like StCirq said, the Clos Lucé isn't a chateau. It's where Leonardo da Vinci lived and is set up as a museum to him. One of my favorite things to see in the Loire Valley - and such a nice respite from all the empty old chateaux!

While not my "favorite" (that designation changes every time I visit the area), IMO the Château d'Amboise is certainly worthwhile. And *so* easy to get to, as is Blois. Blois is one of the chateaux that has a sound and light spectacle - worth seeing if you get the chance.

first the Orleans Tourist Office books mini-bus tours of several chateaus - and from Blois, a short train ride from Orleans there is limited but reliable in season public buses to and from Chambord.

And from Amboise - a bit longer train ride and Tour there are several mini-bus tours that do half and full-day circuits of various chateaus - one that has been around for a long time and which I interviewed long ago for an article I was writing on the Loire Valley is ACCO-DISPO - they seemed to be really nice folks.

q - why are you staying in Orleans - most folks would far more love a place like Amboise.

ACCO-DISPO HOME
Located in the Loire Valley, ACCO-DISPO organizes pre-guided tours, to discover the chateaux country and other regions of France, in air conditioned ...
www.accodispo-tours.com/index-uk.html

According to Clos Lucé themselves, they are a chateau... So who are we to believe? "Château du Clos Lucé" www.vinci-closluce.com

It is where Leonardo probably lived, and one of the rooms on show may even have been his room. No-one knows which one - or even if the surviving building housed his rooms. It is also the most expensive of the Loire Chateaux to visit.

As for "empty old chateaux", which ones are you talking about? Chambord, I assume, but another?

The fact remains that nothing you see of Amboise Chateau except for the foundations survives from earlier than about 1890, and most is post World War Two.

I am at the places you're talking about most days, so I have had time to learn these things.