I have Fodor's recommendations for what to see and where to stay in the Loire Valley but would like some input from someone who has been there. We will arrive Paris June 21 and after visiting Normandy, want to drive to the Loire Valley. We have a total of 12 days in France and will probably spend 2 days in Normandy and the rest exploring. We were in Paris last August and November and now want to rent a car and explore on our own.

In my opinion it is best if you can have a fixed location for at least 3 days, but preferably a week. In the latter case renting a house/apartment is a good idea. Having a base to come and go gives a lot of flexibility and allows you to travel without luggage etc in the car, which can be a problem on travelling days. IF you go for one extended stay I suggest the area around Saumur to Angers - this will allow you to reach most Loire sites but also to get across towards the coast and up into Brittany in daytrips. If you are coming from Normandy, remember that you could easily spend a week in that area as well - Rouen, Lyons-la-Foret, the Seine, Honfleur, Caen, Bayeux, etc

Thanks for the advice. Your idea about finding a central point for a week or so makes sense. Any suggestions as to where to stay? Why do you suggest the Saumur to Angers area?

I think that Angers is an attractive town, not small but not too big, and it is centrally located so that you get the maximum choice of things to see. Saumur is smaller but also a pleasant town. Each has a chateau although neither would be in the most noted Chateaux of the Loire valley. The main chateaux are within 1 - 1.5 hours drive - Chenonceaux, Chambord, Cheverny, Villandry, Azay le Rideau, etc Also in the area are the troglodyte farm at Rochmenier and the abbaye de Fontevraud. Tours is within 100km and worth visiting, as are Amboise, and le Mans.Angers is less than 100km from Nantes and it would be possible to visit the Atlantic beaches; and of course Mont St Michel is within 200km if you haven't already been there from Normandy, Vannes is well worth a visit and is also less than 200km. All these longer trips will make full days but you can plan a circuit that brings you back to your chosen 'home'

I stayed twice in Azay at the Grande Monarque hotel and thought it was very nice. See the Rants and Raves. One unusual place wqe visited was some caves near villandry that are very active. Items are placed in the cave and within a year they are covered in limestone. Different.<BR><BR>If you are going from NOrmandy to the Loire, you should consider a stop in Chartres and take the route down the Loir river to get to the Loire

Don't miss Mt. St. Michel. It is fabulous. Try to get a tour that will take you up all the stairs and inside. We also liked Amboise and the house where Leonardo Da Vinci spent his last years. IBM has a display of his inventions, and it shows how truly remarkable he was. I was impressed with the staircase at Chambord.