JulieVikmanis

We love the Loire valley but find a steady diet of chateau touring a bit "boring" after several days. In the past we've broken up our stays in the Loire by spending 3 days on the western end then spending 2 or 3 days on Ile de Re followed by 3 days on the eastern end. We've now "done" Ile de Re a couple of times and would like to vary that as well. Where else in the area would you suggest might be a good 2 or 3 day stop for a change from chateau touring? Thanks for your suggestions.

klondike

Don't know if it is too far from the Loire, but we really enjoy the Charente-Maritime area and visiting the towns of Saintes, Cognac, Jarnac etc. There are great historical/cultural things to do and the scenery is lovely.

JulieVikmanis

Thank you, Klondike. From some earlier posts I developed some interest in Saintes. I'm going to start checking it out. We're going in late April. Do you think it will be pleasant touring there at that time?

StCirq

Have you gone further afield, or is there a compelling reason to stay in the vicinity of the Loire?

Ile d'Oléron is interesting, though very different from Ile de Ré. Saintes and the Charente-Maritime are certainly worthy of a few days, but why not branch out and head to Normandy or Champagne or Alsace......?

Dave_in_Paris

My "corner" of the Loire is in far West Burgundy, the Nievre, and across the river in the Cher. The two key towns are Sancerre in the Cher and La Charite-sur-Loire in the Nievre. Tourism is exceptionally low-key in this wine-producing country (excellent whites from the Pouilly vineyards on the Nievre side). Both towns are charming, but with none of the "tarting up" of some other places. They are places for travelers, rather than tourists. From here, you are within striking distance of Vezelay in Burgundy and the cathedral town of Bourges in the Cher.