Please help us with our (long) LOIRE VALLEY DAYTRIP from Paris!
 

Hi Everyone,

In June, we will be taking a long daytrip, driving from Paris to the Loire Valley, and back. We know this will be a long day, but we think we can do it!

Here is what we have so far:

1) Leave Paris early in the morning (7am?); drive directly to CHENONCEAU castle.

2) Explore Chenonceau castle and surrounding estate; have a picnic lunch on the grounds.

3) This is the part we would like input -- after Chenonceau, do we have time to either explore a trologdyte cave (Samur?), or is that too far? We don't feel the need to see another castle, so should we explore another town instead (like Amboise)? Another possibility is exporing a wine cave, such as a champagne cave in VOUVRAY.

4) We want to have dinner at L'Embarcadere -- near Blois. It is a fish restaurant where you can sit right by the river. (Was recommended to us by Ken, an American currently living in the Loire Valley.)

PLEASE HELP US WITH THE TIME BETWEEN CHENONCEAU AND DINNER IN BLOIS!

Merci beaucoup/Thanks!

Chenonceau is not a castle - it is a chateau - a whole different think: a pleasure palace. I would balance this by seeing an actual castle (ie Amboise) - a midievel fortified military buidling. Amboise is also a very cute town to explore with several other sights.

IMHO Samur is too far - and the "caves" are a huge waste of time.

(Keep in mind that once you are off the highway these are true local roads - many one fairly narrow lane in each direction - and you won;t be able to move very quickly.)

amboise was my favorite town so i would vote you do that.

Thanks, nytraveler!

Just curious as to why you thought the caves are a waste of time. (They looked very interesting from one travel guide that I read.)

Also, what did you think of the Villandry gardens?

June may be a little early for Villandry. At least that was the case when I was there, and although the geometrical designs were interesting, the plantings were not in there primes. You can check it out by looking at my Loire Valley Album. If interested in gardens, I strongly recommend Chaumont, assuming that the gardens are open by that time. Because they are created as show pieces from the get-go (it is a competition based on a different theme every year), the plants are more likely to have been pushed and fully grown.

Thanks, lofn and Michcael!

Villandry gardens can be very beautiful - but I'm not an admirer of French gardens and parks - much too formal and stiff for me - I prefer the British type of garden.

nytraveler:
Do you think Ambiose is more interesting that Angers? Thanks.

bettyo:
Can we go with you? (Just kidding!) We are also trying to plan a day trip from Paris to a "castle" in June (third week) also. So far, I'm leaning towards taking a train. What made you decide to rent a car? Where are you getting it from? Thanks.

Would it be possible for you to spend the night in Amboise then return to Paris the next day? That would make the trip a little less taxing for sure. Amboise is a wonderful little city and a good base for chateau exploring. Several good places to stay (I recommend Le Manior Minimes).

Yes - we preferred Amboise to Angers - it has the castle, the Clos Luce of Leonardo and is very picturesque as well. Angers is also interesting - but less compelling.

Also - it is getting way too far from Paris - the trek back and forth would be very long - considering everytrhing else you're trying to do.

Hi wliwl: Actually I have heard raves about ANGERS. That is actually one town that is easily accessible by train from Paris. People are quick to point out that Angers has a REAL CASTLE (defensive, with moat, etc.) as opposed to being a "pleasure palace" like CHENONCEAU.

We have definitely set our sights on Chenonceau. I've been there once before, and it is magical and romantic. And while I'm not opposed to seeing Angers, it is simply too far, I think. That is why I'm considering something closer like Amboise, Blois, etc.

Also, my husband and I are renting a convertible; we thought it would be much more fun than having to train it to Chenonceau (no direct trains; must transfer at St. Pierre).

We got a great deal on a convertible through NATIONAL CAR RENTAL in Paris (a partner of ALAMO).

Curt: Thanks for your input on Amboise!

--Betty (NYC)

We had the exact opposite view--Amboise was kind of honky tonk and VERY touristy, especially along the river (not to mention the mosquitoes). We thought Angers was lovely and far more compelling. The Jardin des Plantes in Angers is as picturesque as anything in Amboise and there was a much better choice of restaurants. However, it's a much longer day trip if you're driving...I would only do Angers as a day trip by TGV.
Of our trips to the Loire Valley and Berry, Amboise was the place we liked the least.

If you decide to make it an overnight trip and you want to see Chenonceau, why not stay in the village of Chenonceaux. We looked at the Auberge du Bon Laboureur and really wished we had stayed there instead of Amboise for that part of our trip. It's lovely and peaceful. We will definitely be staying there on our next trip to the central Loire.
http://www.bonlaboureur.com/HotelUK.asp

BTilke,

What did you think of Blois?

Thanks,
Betty

Sorry, I haven't been to Blois in years and my memories are hazy. So I don't have any opinions.

Amboise was one of our favorite places in the Loire Valley. The Sunday morning market, the Clos Luce of Leonardo, the wine tasting in the castle cellar were all wonderful.

Thank you, Lily!

You are talking about leaving Paris at 7am. Have you figured out exactly from where and during what hours the agency is open?

An alternative would be to TGV-it to Tours and rent the car there for the day..although I'm not certain you'd find a convertible (a GREAT idea IMO) to rent. Regardless, have a great trip and please let us know how it turned out. We will be in the area for several days in July.