ktebe

When is the best time, in the Fall, to visit the Loire Valley? Our timeframe is anywhere from 9/15-10/31. We intend to spend a week (more or less) in the LV before heading back to Paris for an additional week.
Besides castles we're interested in Loire Valley wineries, so any recommendations would be appreciated.

tod

Hello, In mid September 1998 I did a guided walk visiting a winery etc., with The Wayfarers agency called "The Loire, River of Kings". The weather was superb and about 27C on average. Although I am used to the hot South African sun I found the afternoons around 4-5pm very hot. Probably because we were really tired by that time and at 12noon (supposedly the hottest time) we were having a slap-up lunch in some Chateaux or little village. I am going to do a drive through the Loire this June just for oldtimes sake. It's on the way to where were heading. If you would like a short resume` of our itinerary for the 1998 walk and the places of interest I've still got the brochure.
Have a lovely time and whatever you do -don't miss the moated fairy-tale chateuaux (16th century)at Azay-le-Rideau!

valmoon

I would like to know if Loire Valley can be taken as a day trip. If you were to choose between the Loire and Versailles ( if interested in Castles) which trip should we take. We are coming from central Paris.

abbydog

Last year my husband and I tried to tour the Loire Valley in two days, stopping at just two castles before returning to Paris. We ended up very rushed and exhausted -- each castle warranted a full day, and it was a very long drive back to Paris in traffic. I vote for a leisurely day at Versailles -- by train!

gracejoan

There aare many tour companies that offer many day trips. I took one with a mini-bus..maximum of 7 people. We were picked up at our hotel. We did 3 castles, had a nice private arranged lunch at one..a very pleasant day.

We did the same for Versailles in combination with other choices.

BTilke

We were in the LV the last week of October/first week of November in 2002 and it was a real pleasure. No crowds and we didn't see any tour buses (we were more focused on the Angers/Chinon/Saumur end of the LV). Low hotel rates, too. As for the wineries, be advised that many of them close down their public tasting rooms at the end of October or beginning of November. For example, we stopped in the tasting room at the Couly Dutheuil winery in Chinon late in the afternoon on Nov 2 and they were literally 30 minutes from closing down for the season. (CD is a nice place to visit; the tasting room is across the street from Chinon's castle.)
Don't forget that Saumur and Angers both have excellent maisons du vin where you can taste for free a wide variety of wines from their respective regions; it's good for helping narrow down which wineries you want to visit (you can also buy wines in the maisons du vin).

BTilke

We were in the LV the last week of October/first week of November in 2002 and it was a real pleasure. No crowds and we didn't see any tour buses (we were more focused on the Angers/Chinon/Saumur end of the LV). Low hotel rates, too. As for the wineries, be advised that many of them close down their public tasting rooms at the end of October or beginning of November. For example, we stopped in the tasting room at the Couly Dutheuil winery in Chinon late in the afternoon on Nov 2 and they were literally 30 minutes from closing down for the season. (CD is a nice place to visit; the tasting room is across the street from Chinon's castle.)
Don't forget that Saumur and Angers both have excellent maisons du vin where you can taste for free a wide variety of wines from their respective regions; it's good for helping narrow down which wineries you want to visit (you can also buy wines in the maisons du vin).
P.S. Hope this doesn't double post, it was loading very slow, but Tod, we'll be motoring through the LV in June as well!

tedgale

If "La rentree" is the first week of September, give it a couple of weeks and then go -- fewer crowds and the weather could still be warm (though the N-S contrast in France's climate really starts to show by mid-Sept!!)

I'm not really a Loire fan, though I know it fairly well, but Chambord and Chenonceaux are musts. We also discovered the smaller, very quirky Chateau de Rivaulx (Rivaux??) not far from Loches. Ten years ago a couple took a degraded chateau and restored it, adding the most imaginative garden/ park based on the chateau's literary associations with Rabelais. Everything is on a suitably Gargantuan scale -- or is based on medieval precedents, such as the monastic herb/ curative garden. One of a kind. Like Villandry on steroids!! (Don't miss the latter garden either -- in late September the vegetable parterres will be staggering)

ktebe

Thank you all very much!!
My wife and I can't wait to go!
Do you have any suggestions for places to stay? We're looking for slow-paced, not middle of the city, friendly, 100 euro or less per night, where we can appreciate the French culture.
Thanks!

ktebe

Valmoon, obviously we've never been to the LV but we visited Versailles last year and it was AWESOME!
If I had one to do or the other, I would definalty choose Versailles, the Palace of the Kings.
Be sure to lunch at the bistro/cafe below the fountains.

valmoon

Thanks guys. We will do Versailles instead since we only have a day to spare. We will make sure to stop by that bistro by the fountain. I can't wait!

Randy

I have spent a lot of time in the Loire Valley over the years and have really enjoyed the areas. I don't really have any place to recommend for you to stay because I have a fiend who has a vineyard and I usually stay with them. I find September a perfect time of the year. It is not as hot as August and the days are still long enough. I love the city of Angers. The Château de Angers is worth seeing and the old part of the city and the beautiful gardens. Besides the châteaus in the area there is much more to see. Carnac, La Baule, Ile de Noirmoutier, Saumur, Nantes and on an on.

Oh, yes, the hotels are much less than in Paris.

My friend has a Muscadet vineyard and I am sure he would show you around his vineyard and accomodate you with a tasting. If you do go see him, tell him Randy sent you.

Pierrick LEBAS
Domaine de la Haie Trois Sols
52 La Haie Trois Sous
44690 Maisdon Sur Sèvre
02 51 71 60 14 (call later in the evening, he is usually working in the vineyard)