MarieF

You have all given me so much infomation to digest! At this point, I think that we are planning to drive from CDG because we have the time to enjoy the countryside along the way to Bordeaux. Also, my husband likes the flexibility of having a car for the whole trip. Now, on to our plans:

I checked out the website for La Roseraie in Chenonceaux and it looks like a great place to stop for the first night. After that, I'm thinking three nights in Bordeaux. I had discovered La Majestic already through some searching and am glad that others know about it. I am also planning to use Bordeaux as a base for exploring St. Emilion and Pomerol. Any thoughts on that? After that, on to the Medoc region (interested in St. Estephe, Pauillac and St. Julien) for two nights or so and then I'd like to stay along the coast for another two nights, possibly in Arcachon. That leaves another two nights to get back to CDG; I'm thinking about a stopover in Tours on the return trip. How does all this sound? Please feel free to comment as we are just starting to make our plans and are open to suggestions from those who have done this before. Also, I'd be interested in any smaller villages, other than the more well-known places that I have mentioned. Again, I really appreciate your thoughts and opinions. I've always gotten great advice from Fodorites.

RonZ

Suggest you get on mappy and via michelin and check out these driving routes. I can just picture St Cirq shaking her head, because I think she offered the most sound advice. You are actually planning to drive from CDG to Chenonceau and then directly to Bordeaux? And this will add flexibility, enjoyment of the countrside? We always prefer to drive, but not in so rushed a fashion, not stuck on the autoroutes.

I also don't think Bordeaux is that good of a base for exploring the countryside. What's the point of driving in and out of the city? After a couple of nights, move to the outlying areas if that's where you are going. For the St Emillion area I suggest the Chateau Grand Barrail...lovely hotel out in the vineyards.

StCirq

My head is definitely shaking....

Bordeaux definitely does not make a good base for exploration of much of anything except Arcachon, the Dune de Pylat and Cap Ferret. OK, maybe St-Emilion.

Personally, one full day of touring the countryside and vineyards around Bordeaux would be plenty for me, though I can understand others would differ. It's just all so much of the same.

Of course, what's really bothering me is that you're going to be so close to the Dordogne, but you're not even going there!

BUT it's your trip, and I'll take a deep breath, but will also add that IMO Tours is not a good destination in the Loire. Big place, lots of traffic...Amboise makes a much nicer base. And I wouldn't make a base in Arcachon, either - just run out and see it while you're in Bordeaux. It takes about 25 minutes, and there's not THAT much to see.

I'd go up the coast and stay in La Rochelle for a night or two and visit the Ile de Ré if you want a coastal venue.

Michael

It sounds like you are interested in wine tasting. After doing that, instead of going to Arcachon, go to the Cognac region for the distilled grapes and then up the coast for the seafood. Angers is a worthwhile stop on the way back, as is Chartres.

klondike

We loved Cognac and its neighboring city, Saintes. Both are situated on the Charente River and have all sorts of interesting things to see and do and fabulous eating.

thonnyboy

I wouldn't stay in Tours. It is a pretty big, ugly town. I think you would do better to stay in either Amboise or Blois. We stayed at the Chateau de Ormeaux next to Amboise and I guarantee you will sleep well there. For even more of a treat, although a bit out of the way, stay at the Chateau de Tennessus near Parthenay. www.tennessus.com. Unbelieveable!

MarieF

Thanks, everyone, again. I definitely need to research this and think about this somemore. We are planning this trip around the VinExpo in Bordeaux which is taking place from July 1-4, 2004. Aside from staying in Bordeaux for three nights during that time, we are not locked into anything else. Our primary interest in going to this region is for the wine tasting, but we also enjoy the beauty of the countryside and coastal areas. I appreciate your honesty and welcome your suggestions. Thanks.

Pat2003

For Matisse

FionaH

Hi Marie,
We drive or fly into France at least once every year and wouldn't especially reccommend Tours as it's not particularly a pretty or interesting place even for a stopover and it's also notoriously easy to get lost there. I imagine you'll be heading towards the N10 or A10 towards Poitiers & Bordeaux from the Loire valley; the sign-posts in Tours all seem to point towards the A10/N10 Paris direction & you do actually have to follow the northbound direction for 500 metres which can be confusing.
I would suggest staying somewhere with a much better flavour of what the Loire Valley can offer but without straying too far off the N10 route (unless you want to)
Amboise, Blois, Loches are all good places to stopover. Crossing the Loire at Blois also means you could stay in Chenonceaux & spare a couple of hours to see the fab chateau there.
Also instead of staying in a rather featureless Holiday Inn (they've no more character in France than anywhere else) why not check out the Logis de France website (logis-de-france.fr)?
Its a very comprehensive website; each hotel is individual, many have links to their own websites, many are small chateaus or country manor houses yet are not expensive. We ourselves are staying in one in July called the Manoir de Grandes Vignes; a 300 year old virginia creeper covered manor house yet it's still only £35 (E52)per night for a double room and like several others, it has a pool in the grounds for that all important cool dip after several hours driving!! Or try the charmingsmallhotels.co.uk website - similar hotels all unique and most reasonably priced. Hope this is of some use. Fiona.

FionaH

Hi, me again, just wondered - have you got any of the French Rough Guides?
If not, I definately recommend getting one, The one for the Dordogne & Lot covers Bordeaux & St Emillion too and offers lots of honest practical advice and things to see - we swear by them.
I've just seen some of the later coments and agree that staying in Bordeaux isn't especially enthralling - why not stay somewhere like St Foy la Grande where you're more in the country yet within easy reach of 'Wine Country' in all directions - I'd definately suggest a visit to the Chateau at Monbazillac and a degustation of their wines.