In late August we're traveling in France by car, starting at CDG. through Normandy, stopping for a few days in Brittany, and then two days in the Loire.

The family has voted to spend the last night in Paris, rather than Senlis.

Donc, I'm thinking that perhaps I should drop off the car in Tours and take the TGV to Paris.

We will spend Friday night in Loches. I would like to visit the Chateau de Valencay Saturday morning before leaving for Paris.

My questions: Valencay seems to be about 15 miles from Loches -- is that about right?

How long should someone with a more than passing interest in Talleyrand allot for the visit?

Is it advisable to book the TGV in advance, or can I remain flexible? (Sat, Aug 26)

Lastly, any idea how long it will take to drive to Tours, drop off the car and board the train?

Many thanks.

topping...

Drive into Paris Orly and return the car. Easy return, inexpensive cab ride into Paris, less expensive than the train.

I agree with Gretchen, unless you want to get to Paris ASAP to spend more time there that final day.

OOOH, Loches! Yum! Take a look at the Georges Sand (logis de France) for a fantastic meal and outside dining on the back waterfront with the city park across the other side. I can send you photos if you want ([email protected])

Meals/rooms at Hotel de France are cheaper and very good. BIG plus is their car parking garage. Lovely, ivy covered inner couryard with patio tables/chairs for relaxing or eating.

Tourist office is great...check out their tabliers (aprons) with the chateau & "Loches" embroidered on them. Great colors to choose from and I've used/washed mine for 2 years and it washes up like a dream/no shrinkage etc. Still looks like new, and I'm a messy cook!

We felt the tourist train ride was worth the $$.

Klondike sent me those pictures and they were terrific. I'm going to try the George Sand for lunch there next month.

Valencay is my favortite chateau. Marvelous furnishings and appointments, an excellent audio guide. Lots of insights into lifestyles of the period. See the kitchens in the basement.

Good advice from Gretchen, much less complicated. Downtown Tours can be confusing.

Thanks all for replies. I'll take your advice on Orly and Hotel de France, neither of which I'd considered.

Driving into Paris is no big deal. All of the train stations are easy drop-off points. This Parisian driving phobia has got to stop.

I have driven in Paris, but I didn't have to get from point A to point B. Don't ask what that means--it was a long time ago. If you take the car to a train station you are probably still going to have a 10E taxi fare. Why not take it to Orly, on the outskirts, and have a 20E fare of not much more duration.