Thanks for this informative post, PalQ.
I spent 10 days in the Loire Valley 2 years ago. Wish I'd had your post back when I was planning that trip!

Re Loches, we were there in June. A nice, but quiet town. We had an excellent lunch at the Hotel St. Antoine's restaurant on the main square in town (more of a roundabout than square, actually).

I am seeking the wise advice from PalQ (or anyone else who wants to comment): Another traveller told me to expect it to take 3 HOURS each way driving from Paris to Chenonceau (and back).

Is this an accurate estimate?! It seems a bit long.

My current plan is this: Leave Paris early morning for TGV to TOURS; pick up rental car at TOURS; drive to CHENONCEAU; spend the day touring the castle and its environs; have dinner outdoors (possibly BLOIS area); drive back to PARIS.

Please critique this plan.

Thanks PalQ and other fellow travellers,
Betty (NYC)

P.S. Sorry--forgot to mention that I may do the TGV to St. Pierre rather than TOURS, depending on the morning schedule availability.

Well it's about 140 miles by autoroute Paris-Chenonceau - most of that on autoroute with max speed of about 70 mph so three hours is a reasonable guesstimate if conditions are optimal - you may encounter 'bouchons' or bottlenecks in Paris area depending on time of day. So yes i think expect three hours, Blois is closer so will take bit less to return from there.
Your train to St-Pierre-des-Corps and planned day sounds very easily done in my opinion.

Thanks, PalQ!

CHAMBORD
Often called the 'finest' Loire castle, Chambord, near Blois is a colossal truly monumental structure - its immense facade is known for its hundreds of windows and chimneys. Inside and out this is the fanciest of all Loire castles. It's still surrounded by a former royal hunting forest where roam the legendary 'sangliers,' or wild pigs, still a must sought after game for hunters. Car-less folks can take buses to Chambord from Blois in season, otherwise public transport is spotty.

Re: Chambord

I'll steal a word that the Brits like to use and call this building a "pile".

CHAMBRES D'HOTES
An institution throughout the Loire and similar touristed areas of France is the Chambre d'Hote, where locals rent out a room or several in their dwellings to tourists. In the Loire you'll see a parade of Chambres d'Hotes signs along the road announcing these places and there are several organizations that also book them - the local tourist office inevitably carries a comprehensive list. The rooms may or may not include breakfast and the possibility of an evening meal. In the Loire these places are often in neat old stone houses and on farms. Gites de France is a large booking organization for not only Chambres d'Hotes but also for gites - often whole houses typically rented for a week or more by an absentee landlord. But Chambres d'Hotes can be secured as you go along though during high season many will be full. catering to the English invasion you'll also see many B & B signs along with the Chambres d'Hotes ones.

Do any of these Chambres d'Hotes include the use of bikes. I thought I read something like that in one of the posts, but can't seem to find it now.

Yes many of them do - i don't know if all do but many will advertise in their listings about bikes being provided. There are also local services that move your luggage between B & Bs whilst you cycle there. This would provide the same type of tour that American companies charge 1000s of dollars for. Even the chateau hotels often seem to offer use of bikes.

CHEVRNY
Not the most impressive Loire castle but still a very impressive monumental chateau, Cheverny, close to Chambord, is of interest not only for its architecture but for its re-created royal hunts, with horseman in old garb, etc. Hunting is the theme of the castle and relics of the hunt are displayed throughout.

We are spending a week at various B & Bs and chateaux B & Bs in Loire Valley. Going to a Sanseverino concert in Vallet, just east of Nantes. Anyone know where the Espace Culturel is in Vallet? restaurants in Vallet?