larry safran

Any suggestions on an things to see or do in the Loire Valley or a suggested itinerary?

Diane

I'm headed there myself this spring. I going mostly for the country atmosphere and for visiting the castles. Try these sites: <BR>http://perso.wanadoo.fr/hotel/tourism.htm <BR>http://www.chateauandcountry.com/ <BR>http://www.xs4all.nl/~jvddoel/loire/ <BR>

Shelly

My suggestion would be to plan this well in advance. My husband and I ran into many problems on our way there and didn't end up visiting any chateaux. One problem (that probably won't happen to you) is that the train doors malfunctioned and we couldn't get off the train until several villages down the line. By the time we were were able to get off the train, it was too late to do any siteseeing and we had to spend a lot of time figuring out how to get back to Paris. Another problem was that the further we went into the countryside the fewer English speakers we encountered which was difficult for us, since my French is rusty at best. I'm sure this comedy of errors won't happen to you, but I do suggest making good plans before doing any siteseeing from Paris.

Beth Anderson

Hi! <BR> <BR>I could write an article on this! Wait, I am. (for a local wine club). I got back from a brief jaunt in September. <BR> <BR>anyway, how long will you be there? a few days, weeks, etc. Do you want to visit wineries as well as chateaux? It is very easy to do both. I would not attempt to see more than two chateaux per day, and ones that are close to each other at that. That way you can enjoy your time in between - even bike to them if you like. You can easily rent a bike in these towns. <BR> <BR>Blois is a good base for Chambord, Chenonceau and of course Blois itself. Chinon is a good base for Villandry and Azay le Rideau. (Also Usse and Chinon itself of course). Chinon also has some good wine caves. <BR> <BR>Don't miss Vouvray, it is a small village and the wines are excellent. Montlouis wines are on the other sides of the river. Don't forget to visit the actual vineyards, not just the caves. It is very easy to find your way around the winery areas, just follow the signs or get a "Route Touristiques du Vins" map. <BR> <BR>Near Chinon you can go horseback riding, you can go biking, rent canoes... <BR> <BR>I would rent a car rather than take the train - you have much more flexibility and it isn't that expensive. Plus you can't visit the wineries as easily, although you can do some on bike. <BR> <BR>good luck with it! you will love it there. <BR> <BR>Beth <BR> <BR> <BR>

steve

Good advice from Beth. For lodging, go to logis-de-france.fr for a list of good, moderately priced hotels. I have twice stayed at Chateau des tertes in Onzain and Hotel du Grand Monarque in Azay-le-Rideau and enjoyed them

Jane

Our second favorite place in France was Samur. South, near the Loire Valley. We stayed at the St.Pierre Hotel which was a wonderful place in a little alley between a church on a little square. The hotel was a four star and under $100. It was a beautiful room with large french windows that open to the alley (church). Very different and very quint. The square has a cafe and a shop with the church, and was nice and lively on Saturday night. The locals were very nice to us. Note that this is not the main street square, it is just a block or so off the main. You will be very pleased. It is right on the beautiful river. If you need more ideas let us know.

Cecilia

I would def. recomend to rent a car, my husband and I did that and found very easy to drive arround, you would walk a lot less with a car. Don't leave any visible loggage in the car anyway, a frind of us was robed in a chateau parking lot. The casstles we recomend are Chambord and Chenonceau like a must. There are a lot others nice to see and very close to each other. A good recomendation is to stay in Blois. There is a hotel/restaurant Mericis that has the best food of the place. Amboise was a great surprise for us, I like it's casstle very much and enjoyed the house where Leanardo Da Vinci lived that is very closed to the casste. (sorry for my spelling). Remember you can't taste a lot of wine if you are driving. Out side the Amboise casstle there's a wine and pathe store where you can get the "Bloc de Foie Gras de canard" that is a great suvenir to bring home becaus it's delicius.

deborah

One suggestion I would make is not to stay in Chinon. At least not where we stayed about 2 weeks ago, the Hotel de France. Dumpy room, small,4 flights up, no elevator and no a/c. Which you needed because you could not keep the windows open because the square below was noisy until 5:00 am!!! A tour bus unloaded a group at 12:30am! It was a very miserable night. Restaurant choices within walking distance were ok. We drove to find something else and were stopped by the police on the other side of the river. Treated very rudely. This was a really odd little town. We drove for 7 days from Paris to the Dordorgne area and never encountered a place like it. If you get south of the Loire area near Brive stay at the Chateau D'Arnac. Great area to site see, large rooms, friendly owners and very good food! 440ff w/breakfast. Dinner was extra. Huge room with fireplace, french doors ovelooking everything. Great resident dog and cats! Check out their website. Must see Chambord, it is magnificent! Have a great time!

Beth Anderson

Hi Deborah, <BR> <BR>I am sorry you had such a bad stay in Chinon. I thought it was lovely. I guess the hotel really does make all the differenc - I stayed in a pretty one right on the river. Hotel Agnes Sorel. <BR> <BR> <BR>Beth <BR>

steve

One interesting and unusual place is near VIllandry. It is a cave (can't remember the name) that is still quite wet. So they place objects in the cave and they get dripped on and covered with a limestone coating. The Gardens aat VIllandry are also quite pretty.

Kavey

Hi Larry <BR> <BR>We had a wonderful week in the Loire based in Saumur, I am glad we stayed here as our base. While it is further from what people refer to as the main tourist chateaux, it is charming and quiet and serene and the roads were empty and the restaurants not too crowded. <BR> <BR>I did a long report after my trip called something like Kavey's Loire Diary or something... <BR> <BR>Have a Search, email me if you can find me... I am not around in July though. <BR> <BR>Kavey <BR> <BR>PS You will love the Loire, have a fabulous time...

David

HI <BR>Spent several days in Loire valley 5 years ago. Drove easily from Paris. <BR>Stayed at CHateau Des Hautes d'Loire , Beautiful place great restaurant a little pricey but worth it! Visited wineries in Vouvray.Drove to Many Local chateaus Chambord Etc. but highlight was Bombardier Ballooon flight over Loire Valley. Weather permiting if you have the nerve it is truly remarkable to fly over chateau's and beautiful fields of sunflowers in a hot air balloon! <BR>Good luck <BR>David Lecomte <BR>

Tracy

Hi Larry - <BR> <BR>Another vote in Chinon's favor. I had a blast there, some fantastic intact wood buildings from the 1500s . . . <BR> <BR>Good cheap meals at La Saladerie in the old town . . . <BR> <BR>The French tourist office has a 'Hôtels de Charme' brochure listing chateaux and country houses you can stay in all along the Loire; these are all great value and COSY. Have fun!

judy

If you can, visit the Castle du Guerlaine, a magnificent property with tours conducted by the Marquis du Guerlaine himself. In addition to the castle itself, the Marquis operates a winery offering pretty decent Muscadet, and they've recently added a butterfly park and an art gallery on the grounds. The Marquis is an absolute blast--highly entertaining and personable.

bob

Hi: <BR> <BR>If you get to Paris and don't want to leave (except for a day trip or a few days) check out Cityrama as they offer a wonderful one day trip to the Loire valley. We saw Blois, Chambord, and my favorite Chenonceau all in one day and believe it or not we didn't feel rushed. We toured all three castles and grounds extensively and were back in Paris by 8:30 p.m.