Hello - I will be in Paris with my boyfriend from July 20-24, it's a work trip so I can't change those dates. We have 10-11 nights total for our trip, we are thinking of exploring the Loire Valley, and/or Burgandy as well (maybe an extra night or two in Paris?). I'd prefer to do this after the Paris portion, but I know that this is already the start of the vacation season in France. Will there be a problem with wineries, restaurants, etc. being closed at the end of July in these regions? Should we do some exploring before the dates in Paris? Thanks for any advice!

Most establishments in tourist areas such as the Loire and Burgundy are open in the summer. There are exceptions to every rule, but I would not organize your trip around potential closings.

Thanks. Maybe I should post as a separate topic, but anyone have any good itinerary suggestions for putting together a driving tour through Loire Valley and Burgandy, starting and ending in Paris? Can I do it 5-6 days? I've read good info here about each one separately, not sure where to start to put these locations together. I'd like at least a few days to see the chateaux in Loire Valley, boyfriend would like to see Burgandy, lots of wine tasting, of course.<BR>Thanks, Megan.

We are doing that this summer. We are going to take a train from Paris, after a 5 day visit, to Chatres, pick up a car there, then explore the Loire for 2 days, staying near Amboise, then head over to Burgundy basing ourselves in Beaune for 2-3 days. Do you already have reservations? I would think hotels in those areas could tell you what will be open. Most people agree that 2-3 chateaux is plenty. There are many wineries in Burgundy to keep your beau happy.

You must have dinner in Beaune at a restaurant called Ma Cuisine. Without a doubt, one of the best meals I have ever had. Price isn't outrageous and they have a wine list of over 20,000 wines.<BR>Ma Cuisine Passage Sainte-H&eacute;l&egrave;ne 2120 Beaune France Tel. +33 380 223 022 Fax. +33 380 249 979

Honey...How in the world do you choose from a 20,000 bottle wine list??? I guess take the waiter's recommendation? Needless to say, you couldn't get through the wine list before dinner!! Thanks for the suggestion!!!

Thanks for the suggestions! We haven't booked lodging yet (except for Paris), trying to nail down # of nights in each location. Have lots of ideas written down from this board, I really appreciate any comments out there as I have never traveled in France. Wren, where are you staying?

We are staying at a bed and breakfast in a town near Amboise named, Blere. I found the place thru Karen Brown and Rick Steves. Their rooms are reasonable; the wife is supposedly a wonderful cook. I think we may eat dinner there one night. When I wrote them they responded quickly. Here is their website: www.fiefgentil.fr.fm/

If you are driving, start in Paris, stop in Chartres to see the cathedral and then on to Amboise. Chateaux to visit: Amboise, Chenonceau, Chambord, going towards Burgundy via Sancerre. If you like pottery, detour via La Borne (between Sancerre, Henrichemont and Bourges) which is a village of potters. You could stick to the Loire valley. There is plenty of wine to taste there, although not as well known as the wines of Burgundy.

We just returned home a couple of weeks ago from visiting the Burgundy/Beaujolais/Champagne areas. Had a fantastic time. So much to see. We enjoyed it even more than the Loire area. <BR><BR>Our favorite sites were Vezelay and the Beaujolais area. Really enjoyed Beaune and Dijon also. We stayed in a couple of wonder places that I would highly recommend. One is Chateau des Poccards, just outside of Macon. Incredible rooms and geat owners. Perfect base for exploring the region. Also loved Chateau de Messy, which was near Tournus. Both were under a $100 including breakfast. Really lovely owners at both. Both have great web sites. Another fun area to visit is Nuits St George, along the wine route. <BR><BR>There are many little villages and towns to visit. And it is a fun area to drive. You shouldn't have any problems with closures of hotels or restaurants in this area at that time of year. We had a total of 7 days in this area before we returned to Paris for 3 nights and we wished that we had been able to stay much longer. The Loire area is really lovely too. When we went we also combined that with a trip to the Dordogne area which was beautiful. Just depends what you want to see and do. Can't go wrong with either!

Hi, I can't find the web site for the Chateau de Messy...could you provide the web adress. Thanks

I believe it is spelled &quot;Messey&quot;:

http://www.demessey.com/

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/chateau.des.poccards/

Here's the website for the Chateau des Poccards.

Hi,

Some quick notes on my trip a few years back. I used the Michelin green guide as my &quot;tour guide&quot;, and bought local Michelin maps. Rented car in Paris and returned there. Also did Giverny at end of this loop. Hope it helps. Didn't have one bad meal anywhere! I set as my standard only 3 start hotels and was not disappointed.

Day1:
? Paris
? Fontainbleau
? Orleans
? Hotel Orleans, 3*, ok, cheap and clean


Day2:
? Orleans
? Clery St Andre
? Meung sur loire
? Beaugency
? Chambord
? Blois
? Novotel Blois, good restaurant

Day 3:
? Blois

Day 4:
? Chaumont sur loire
? Amboise
? Chenonceau
? Hotel du Bon Labourerur, excellent hotel &amp; restaurant, pool


Day 5:
? Chanteloup
? Tours
? Caves de Sallonieres
? Villandry
? Azay le Rideau
? Hotel Val de Loire - Azay le Rideau, must eat meal at specific resaurant

Day 6:
? Azay
? Usse
? Chinon
? Le lude
? Saumur: Loir Hotel (Best Western), very nice hotel &amp; restaurent, restaurant overlooking castle and river

Day 7:
? Fontevraud Abbey
? Cunault
? Saumur
? Angers
? Angers; Hotel France (France Acceuil), near train station, Grand, plush

Day8:
? Angers
? Savonieres
? Behehard
? Angevin Cornice
? Haie Longue
? Ingrandes
? Champtoceaux
? Ancenis
? Ancenis: Voyageur Hotel (Logis de France), good restaurant, relaxed service

Day 9:
? Conde
? Le lion D?angers
? La fleche
? Cheere
? Villedieu
? Troo
? Vendome
? Hotel Vendoem (Acceuil de france), very nice restaurant

Day 10:
? Vendome
? Chateaudun
? Chartres
? Vernon: Hotel Normandie, 3*, (Best western)