Side Trips to Loire from Paris
Feb 14th, 2007, 03:22 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Side Trips to Loire from Paris
I will be traveling to Paris in July and have never been to the Loire Valley. We are considering making this part of our itinerary but need more information on how to get to and from this area and advice on whether or not the main sites can be accomplished in one day. We are also considering Mont St. Michel in nothern France. Are these possible as one day excursions?
Feb 14th, 2007, 03:38 PM
#3
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Loire Valley is not day-trip territory. One city might be, but the things that make it a good and popular destination are scattered all over the place.
The Mont St. Michel, one the other hand, is a simple destination, but I suspect that the travel from and back to Paris would make it a difficult day.
Would you consider a night or two outside Paris?
The Mont St. Michel, one the other hand, is a simple destination, but I suspect that the travel from and back to Paris would make it a difficult day.
Would you consider a night or two outside Paris?
Feb 14th, 2007, 04:21 PM
#5
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It is possible to take a tour to the Loire and see 2 chateaux quickly.
But - this is really not the place for a day trip. There is so much to see (chateaux, fortresses, cathedrals, wineries, manor houses) and to do (including some spectacular son et lumiere performances) that you need a minimum of 3 days to even begin to do it justice. (We were there 6 days - and could easily have stayed another 6.)
But - this is really not the place for a day trip. There is so much to see (chateaux, fortresses, cathedrals, wineries, manor houses) and to do (including some spectacular son et lumiere performances) that you need a minimum of 3 days to even begin to do it justice. (We were there 6 days - and could easily have stayed another 6.)
Feb 14th, 2007, 04:30 PM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,766
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Several years ago I did a daytrip to the Loire Valley using a company who picked me up at the hotel, dropped off at Gare Montparnasse for TGV to Tours.Then a minivan picked us up and we toured Chaumont, Chenonceau, Clos Luce in Amboise, a nice lunch and a winery. We were back in Paris around 7:30. It was a little expensive to do it that way, but quite enjoyable.
You could take the TGV yourself to Tours and take a minivan tour from there. Acco Dispo is a good one and leaves from the tourist office in Tours.You can book direct with them on line or thru the Tours Tourist Bureau.
They do various chateaux. If you don't have enough time to stay several days in the Loire, a daytrip is better than nothing.
Having said that - I agree that longer is better! The following year I went by myself to the Loire and rented a car for 10 days. Loved it!
You could take the TGV yourself to Tours and take a minivan tour from there. Acco Dispo is a good one and leaves from the tourist office in Tours.You can book direct with them on line or thru the Tours Tourist Bureau.
They do various chateaux. If you don't have enough time to stay several days in the Loire, a daytrip is better than nothing.
Having said that - I agree that longer is better! The following year I went by myself to the Loire and rented a car for 10 days. Loved it!
Feb 14th, 2007, 04:37 PM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,766
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I forgot to mention in my post above that I also did a daytrip to Mt. St Michel from Paris - with the same company I used to the Loire. We took the TGV to Rennes and were picked up by a minivan for the trip to Mt.St.Michel.
It was also fine, but longer drives to the destination. Also, we arrived at the Mount the same time as the rest of the world (crowded to say the least).
Of the two daytrips, I preferred the Loire one. If you could squeeze in a night or two, Amboise is a good place to stay and AccoDispo also picks up there for their tours. You wouldn't need to rent a car.
It was also fine, but longer drives to the destination. Also, we arrived at the Mount the same time as the rest of the world (crowded to say the least).
Of the two daytrips, I preferred the Loire one. If you could squeeze in a night or two, Amboise is a good place to stay and AccoDispo also picks up there for their tours. You wouldn't need to rent a car.
