Best base for staying in loire valley
 

I will be visiting the valley in early june and am looking for a central area to stay in to visit castles, abbey's and wine tasting ( although i know the valley is not noted for this ) we prefer a quaint area instead of a busy town and will have a car. Was thinking chinon /amboise...any input would be appreciated !!! Thx in advance

How long is your stay? It most certainly IS a wine-tasting area. Chinon is very central and a good base. But if you're staying a week or so, you might want to split up your time between the western and eastern Loire.

Hello, I'm afraid I'll have to disagree with St Cirq and say that Chinon is not really very central of all, Amboise is better, but Blois is even better still! To give you some idea of distances between Blois and the main châteaux: Chaumont: 15 K, Chambord: 20 K, Cheverny: 20 K, Chenonceau: 34 K, Amboise: 30 K, Chinon: 110 K. There are plenty of places to taste wine and in Blois itself there are two places where you can have tastings.

Chinon is central if your aim, as mine always is, to divide your time between the eastern and western ends of the valley. Alternatively, stay in Blois or Amboise and then move to Angers or Saumur. Not everyone is interested only in visiting the popular châteaux.

Strongly suggest that you take the opportunity to stay at one of the private chateaux. We stayed at Chateau des Reaux, near Chinon, which was a lovely 15th century but restored home and convenient for seeing many chateaux and other sites. But there are a lot of others in the same area.

Rates are modest and when we were there they offered dinner en famille twice a week - so you could meets all the guests from other countries.

Onzain - across the river from Chaumont. Chateau des Tertres for moderately priced hotel, Domaine des Hauts de Loire for ritzier place

I have only gotten to the first day in the Loire on my website trip report with photos, but it does have some info on where we stayed (you can scroll through the first part of our day, although there are some nice photos of Château de Valençay).

We really enjoyed our three night stay at Manoir de la Maison Blanche just outside Amboise (25 minute walk...4 or 5 minute drive... to center of town). Annick was a wonderful host (she and her two dogs, two cats and two horses). Scrumptious breakfast. I will post the next couple of days over the weekend that will feature more pics of the property. Location was terrific to visit the area as you will see when the next two days are posted on website.

Highly recommended!

http://www.travelswithmaitaitom.com/...3_Entry_1.html

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Well, Blois is a city and not really a "quaint area." Amboise is a small town with a bit more charm than Blois.

Amboise is closer to Villandry and Azay le Rideau and Fontevreaud Abbey than Blois and is also closer to Saumur and its great tank museum (http://www.museedesblindes.fr/).

Would definitely stay close to Amboise (again). When you visit the chateau, leave by the carriageway exit.

Here is our first full day in the Loire (and I mean full) with photos.


http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/Tom_...The_Loire.html


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We enjoyed staying in Amboise for our time in the Loire. We found it to be a great location for our three days. I understand what St Cirq is saying about two locations though. We would definitely pick two locations if we were to stay for more than four days. It would definitely cut down on the drive times.

This link for our first full day in the Loire should work.

http://www.travelswithmaitaitom.com/...The_Loire.html

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All the replies we're so helpful !!!!! I'm so glad i found this site and were able to get so many good ideas. I'm thinking for our 4 days we will base in amboise..
Can i ask for all ur advice again as to where to stay in amboise ????? Many thanks

WOW. Maitaitom ur loire semi blog is great ..the other blogs on where you 've been read like a great tour book with plenty of laughs ( some were ,,,been there done that !!) Thanks for taking the time to share all that and the great pics !

Actually lmao maitatom ..

If you need tips on what to see and do in the Loire then here are some of the major tourist office websites for the Loire:

http://www.loirevalleytourism.com/
http://www.chateaux-de-la-loire.fr/c..._the_loire.htm
http://www.loirevalleywine.com/
http://www.experienceloire.com/
http://www.cycling-loire.com/
http://www.amboise-valdeloire.co.uk/
http://www.bloischambord.co.uk/
http://www.tours-tourisme.fr/index_en.php
http://www.chinon-valdeloire.com/
http://www.loches-tourainecotesud.com/
http://www.angersloiretourisme.com/fr
http://www.ot-saumur.fr/

The tourist office websites will list all the accommodation in their respective towns and environs as well as the restaurants. You can also find out what to see and do in an area by looking at the tourist office websites.

book marking :)

What is your budget for lodging in Amboise?

Here is our last day in Amboise. Visited Château du Clos Lucé/Parc Leonardi da Vinci, Château de Chenonceau and Royal Château d’Amboise.

http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/Tom_...5_Entry_1.html

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In late June/early July of 2011, my wife, granddaughter and I really enjoyed our 4 nights in Amboise in the Catherine de Medici room at Le Manoir Saint Thomas. http://www.manoir-saint-thomas.com/

Here is my trip report (it isn't nearly as entertaining as maitaitom's but you might find something in it you can use).

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...nddaughter.cfm

Scroll down to Day 13 for the Loire part of our trip.

John, I've just been reading your report, which I wish I had seen before I left (sometimes I think the "Search The Forums" box on this site doesn't work as well as it should sometimes).

I read your story about L’Epicerie, the restaurant that we got shut out at. I was very disappointed, but after reading your funny report, not so much.

Le Manoir Saint Thomas looks like quite a cool place.

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