I want to visit the Loire Valley Chateaux in May. I am trying to decide whether to rent a car or take bus trips from Tours. I also want to visit Fontevraud Abbey, burial place of Richard the Lion-hearted. Any suggestions would be helpful. Driving itineraries and hotel suggestions would also be welcome. Has anyone stayed at the Manior de Guarderie?

Be brave and rent the car. I think this will give you the most freedom to see what you want, when you want. I even drove the back roads of the Loire and it is quite easy! Clear signs and not a lot of traffic either. <BR> <BR>

Definitely rent a car and just wander. The roads are good and easy to drive--MUCH easier than driving on the right in England! We were there twice in May: weather very pleasant and warm, and we were able to stop and get a room whenever we saw somewhere that appealed with no problem. Especially liked Chenonceaux and Chambord. I have to admit that between visiting chateaux and stopping at wineries--we stopped at one place with a sign that was a farmhouse, were invited in for conversation and tasting, and left with a case of wine that we kept chilled in bidets for the rest of the trip as we consumed it--we probably drove only about 30 km a day!

We stayed at Chateau Rochecotte in Langeais, just east of Tours, last fall and loved it. The rooms were very large and pretty, as were the grounds, and we had one of the best dinners of our trip there. Also, the breakfast breads were wonderful. Oh yes--rent the car, drive through the villages and the countryside, get lost, and have an unforgettable trip! <BR>

do a search here on the forum-I posted some hotels and driving "stuff" because we go through the Loire valley a lot-it is on the way to my in-laws summer place. I would definitely rent a car, but you might want to do a drive/car package at raileurope.com and pick-up and drop in Tours and take the TGV train back and forth, because I know a lot of folks are nervous about driving in and out of Paris (with fairly good reason!) <BR> <BR>Have fun-it is beautiful-if you don't find my earlier postings let me know and I will dig up the info again

For loads of info about driving in <BR>France (and Europe in general) visit <BR>the 'Moto Europa' site at <BR>http://www.ideamerge.com/motoeuropa. <BR>A real confidence booster. A great <BR>site!

Jeanne, I would be grateful if you would re-post your information.I can't find it in the search.Thanking you in anticipation

I drove alone last Oct thanks to the advice of posters here and especially Jeanne above. I would second the suggestion to TGV to Tours. It's easy to pick up a car there, because the TGV station at St. Paul du Cours (SP?) is just outside town (less traffic). Tours itself was the only place I got lost. The signs to the chateaux are easy to follow, but with only one pair of eyes, you can miss one along the way. Then you are a little lost! I would suggest having a VERY detailed map and getting familiar or making a little list of the names of towns along your route. Then you'll know sooner rather than later if you have missed a sign. The traffic circles direct you toward the next town, sort of like a treasure hunt. It works fairly well.