You may just say, go off season. However, I want to get out and do some long day walks and that usually requires good weather.

I may go regardless, but was wondering if anyone can tell me if this area is just too touristed during late Spring? I did read it is the most touristed place in France besides Paris.

If I want to see tourists, I'll go to Disneyland, but on the other hand, if I want to see a place badly enough, I'll go anyway. I just have to think about it. Any thoughts?

Yes, in May there will be a significant number of tourists in the Loire - although not nearly as many as July/August. However, I don;t think there would be enough to prevent you being able to walk anywhere - unless you want to be completely alone. Really, the only place to completely avoid tourists - is the South Pole.

nytraveler, lol. You always amuse me. Maybe I should shoot for early May.

We were in the Loire Valley in late May 2002 and did not find it teeming with tourists. But we visited places like Chateau d'Anger, Cathedral d'Anger, Chateau Breze, a troglodyte village, a winery in Saumur, etc, which are not the tourist honey pots always recommended here.

The hills are alive with tacky tourists. Its literally like huge masses of crazed fish swimming upriver to spawn!

Seriously, tourists will be there, but not in such huge numbers that they would be a serious limiting factor for your long walks.

Well. Lets see. All the gardens will probably be in profuse bloom. The weather is milder. You're a tourist as well...yep... I'm even thinking I'll get there. I'll need a Paris fix first and then I want to see this part of the country for the history and the pomp and pageantry. And to remember the old days, say, the 16th century.

Suzie, sigh - you are on my wavelink, as they say.

Besides being out in the fresh air, I do want to see several Chateaux. I guess I can wait in line. Ron, thanks for listing your favorites of the lesser known ones.

As a general rule, the western Loire Valley (Angers, Saumur, Chinon, Fontevraud, etc.) is far less crowded than the main spots (Amboise, Chenonceau, Chambord). The southern Loire Valley, down towards Berry, also is much less crowded.
However, we were in the Loire Valley in June and Chambord and Chenonceau weren't that bad. Less crowded than we expected. Plenty of people around, but not what we'd call a mob scene.

I was just off Fodors and linked to another site - that mentioned walking tours from chateau to chateau... um...??
I'm plump and lazy and prefer to <GULP> try the driving thing. The draw to me is Chenenceau. I want to stay at the Brassarae (or something like that...)

Suzie, if your still online -- what was the walking site?

Thanks, everyone for the info. It is very useful.

http://www.traveloffthebeatenpath.co...ur_5day_ie.htm

hope that works for you...

and this was interesting, instead of walking Fodor's main page, click on "Loire Valley" recommends a biking trip. http://www.vbt.com/

We met bikers riding through Burgundy, on one of these types of trips. They seemed to be having quite a good time. As to the Loire Valley, I don't think and, actually, don't know for sure, that its very "hilly".

There are very few tourists in Loire in May, except maybe weekends at blockbuster chatueas like Chenonceaux. I have family living there i've visited several times in May, nearly no one there compared to July and August. Even then it's not nearly as over-touristed as Provence, which is far more touristed than the Loire. May is a perfect time but don't expect great weather - bring rain gear and warm clothes. The weather is really spotty, could be 70 one day and windy rainy and 50s the next.

Than you for your first hand knowledge, PalQ. This forum is invaluable - but eveyone already knows that.

I was in the Loire (all the big sites) the first week of July this year and I didn't find any of the chateaus too crowded. Sure there were some tourists there (like me)but not a mob scene at all. I wouldn't imagine May a problem at all.