Prettiest towns of Loire Valley
 

Please advise on the prettiest towns not to miss for their visual appeal in the Loire Valley, Chateau region. Thanks!

I always vote for Blois.

Go to a bookstore and look through the huge book: "Most beutiful villages of the Loire."
I loved it all.

Chenonceaux looked nice to me - - I (we) only whizzed through (after a few hours at the chateau).

Best wishes,

Rex

Loved it all too...wonderful area. The only town I did not *love* was Tours. It was just a little too busy for me, however, even so I did enjoy it. But I think next time I will stay in Blois.

Amboise is very nice; much smaller than Blois but close to it and to Chenonceau.

Amboise and Chinon were my favorites. I also liked Saumur (especially staying at the Anne d'Anjou hotel).

We also loved Saumur and loved Anne d'Anjou hotel. We can't wait to return.

Travelatte

Amboise is my favorite - but Chinon not far behind. Blois is too big - and has too many modern buildings for my taste.

Amboise, for the lovely town and the castle on the hill, Villandry for it's marvelous gardens and Usse for the tranquility.

All of the above. All the towns are lovely and the chateaux are amazing and all are worth seeing. Chenonceau and Azay le Rideau were my favorites.

Good suggestion above to get a book and see what appeals to you.

Amboise, Saumur, Chenonceaux, Blois, Bléré, Chinon, Angers....Tours is pretty awful...

Richlieu, which no one seems to know about except people who live in the region.

Loches is my all-time favorite (pop. 37,000) for prettiest overall town with lots to see and do. Don't miss a walk through their lovely city park and its floral arrangements. Wide range of hotel/restaurant choices. Laid back ambiance.

As to actual chateau, it's a tie between Chenonceaux and Chambord; they're very different architecturally but so enjoyable! Both set in a more rural, forested setting. Blois is a wonderful lesson in architectural styles since it has so many "additions/wings" but is set in the middle of town (albeit the prettier old town).

Dear Robi:

I have often felt that Angers, Amboise and Saumur were among the prettiest Loire valley towns.. Their locations on the Maine (Angers) and Loire (Saumur and Amboise) rivers make them especially appealing. The Chateau D'Angers overlooks the Maine River as do the Chateau de Saumur and Chateau de Amboise overlook the Loire. All three are great towns for strolling and meandering through and having a car is not necesarily imperative as the train stations are very close to the Chateaux themselves..

Regards.
Luis

Amboise; Azay-le-Rideau; Brissac; Loches; but I thought one of the prettiest towns anywhere in France was Montreuil Bellay. The chateau on the hill, the town's location and river walk are lovely. Saumur and Chinon struck me as somewhat run down but had interesting parts. Angers is too large. Blois is visually appealing in the area around the castle. Generally speaking, most of the towns around the chateaux offer some visual appeal.

In comparing those towns, keep in mind many of the Loire towns, including their chateaux, (Giens, Orléans, Blois, Amboise, Tours,etc) suffered more or less extensive bombing during WWII (all the bridges on the Loire river were blown up in 1940). Consequently, the not-so-appealing parts of some cities (around train stations, or the centre of Tours for instance can typically be "post-war reconstruction", 1950's style reconstruction. The post-war rebuilding of Orléans and Giens is slightly better.

Angers, Saumur and the lovely Clisson, in the Loire-Atlantique.

The most beautifull village was CANDES-ST-MARTIN at the confluence of the Vienne and Loire rivers. Very small and absolutely beautiful especially in June (have also seen it in September).

Ah here is Rex - now I know you are still around....good news!