By Bus in The Loire Valley

Local bus services are extensive and reliable, providing a link between train stations and scenic areas off the river; it's possible to reach many villages and châteaux by bus (although many routes are in place to service schoolchildren, meaning service is less frequent in summer and sometimes all but nonexistent on Sunday)—most of the big towns and châteaux are more handily reached by train, however. Inquire at tourist offices for information about routes and timetables, available in very handy form. The leading companies are Les Rapides du Val de Loire, based in Orléans; TLC, serving Chambord and Cheverny from Blois; Touraine Fil Vert and Fil Bleu, both of which serve the Touraine region, including out-of-the-way Loches; and Anjou Bus (Anjou region). The hardest place to reach is the magical Château d'Ussé, but there's one municipal bus line to Rigny-Ussé that connects with Chinon—when in doubt, taxi. For Fontevraud, catch buses from Saumur.

Bus Information

Anjou Bus (Pl. Michel-Debré, Angers. 02-41-81-49-72. www.cg49.fr/themes/transports/anjoubus/default_v3.asp). Fil Bleu (Pl. Jean-Jaurès, Tours. 02-47-66-70-70). Les Rapides du Val de Loire (27-B bd. Marie-Stuart, Orléans. 02-38-61-90-00. www.rvl-info.com). TLC (Transports du Loir-et-Cher) (9 rue Alexandre-Vézin, Blois. 02-54-58-55-44. tlcinfo.net).

Touraine Fil Vert (10 rue Alexander-Fleming, Tours. 02-47-47-17-18. www.touraine-filvert.com).