I've come across several tour companies that offer one day tours to the valley. Most include visits to the Chambord, Chenonceau abd either Cheverny or Ambiose chateaus. Trips are 12 hours on coach bus and include lunch, prices $136-145USD. Is a one day trip enough time to enjoy this area? Or am I better off taking the train staying overnight somewhere?? THANKS!!

Hi this past Christmas Eve I took the Paris Vision tour with my family of four. We all thought it was very good because we could never cover three chateau in one day on our own. The tour guide was excellant: informative , polite and easy to understand. The bus stopped at a golf course for lunch which was just okay. In 12 hours unless you knew exactly where you were going I don't think you could cover more territory.

I spent 14 days on a bike in just part of the Loire Valley - we had guides at each chateau so it took longer than if we'd just run through. You didn't say when you're going; if it's summer, you'll need more time because of crowds. Suggest a 2-day trip on your own; train to Tours and then local train or bus to a chateau or two. Small town locally-owned *** hotels are fine!

An overnight trip is best, we stayed at the Best Western in Tours -- a satisfactory hotel, older but very nice people there (they came to my room to make sure I got my &quot;wake up call&quot; -- the phone was off the hook and they couldn't call). <BR><BR>You can take the train into Tours and take a cab (no tour guide) or a small tour bus (a van, but you'll have to make reservations far in advance). I can't remember who we used, Touraine or something like that. The tourist office can make arrangements for the cab, I made the reservations for the tour van on the web.<BR><BR>

Last year I took a daytrip from Paris with a company called &quot;Paris Bus Tours&quot;.We used the TGV to Tours and were picked up by a minivan and driven to the chateaux - Chambord, Chenonceau, Clos Luce, and a winery. Lunch was included at a place in Chenonceau. It was more expensive than the various bus tours, but worth it for a daytrip, to go on the train. They limit the tour to 6, very nice. They pick you up at the hotel at 8:30, get you on the train, and we were back at hotel around 6:30 or 7:00. Actually, you could take the TGV on your own, and hook up with a minivan tour in Tours, probably much less expensively. Look at www.ligeris.com (Tours official tourist website) - they will make reservations for you. Will also make hotel reservations if you decide to do that.<BR><BR>After my little taste of the Loire Valley, I'm going back for a week this May, and renting a car. I can't wait!