Two nights in Loire Valley
Apr 19th, 2010, 06:22 AM
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Two nights in Loire Valley
WE are planning to go to the Loire Valley at the end of June. We would like to see a few chateau (3-4). We will not be renting a car. Will it be better to stay in Tours, Chenonceaux, or another town? will be taking the train back and forth to Paris.
Apr 19th, 2010, 06:48 AM
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Tours and around is good for fast rail connections from Paris..the village of Chenonceau (even though it is within sight/walking distance to the chateau) is more off the beaten path. Other possibilities for that particular part of the valley might be Blois or even Amboise.
If you aren't renting a car and want to take organized, say bus, tours of the various chateaux such as Chenonceau, Chambord, Villandry, etc., AND you want fast rail connections to/from Paris then Tours might be your best bet.
If you aren't renting a car and want to take organized, say bus, tours of the various chateaux such as Chenonceau, Chambord, Villandry, etc., AND you want fast rail connections to/from Paris then Tours might be your best bet.
Apr 19th, 2010, 06:53 AM
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You mentioned Chenonceaux as a possible base. I have written a couple of times recommending an outstanding little hotel and restaurant there, La Roseraie. They have a website. Food was just wonderful, hotel charming, and owners very helpful. The castle was my favorite of many in the Loire. www.hotel-chenonceau.com. Good reviews on Trip Advisor, too.
Apr 19th, 2010, 07:04 AM
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I'd agree with Dukey. Tours is your best bet if you want easy access to allthe chateaux because from Tours you can take bus trips to various castles. To the west you have Villandry, Usse, Chinon, and Azay-Le-Rideau; to the east are Chenonceaux and Amboise. Some of the bus trips are quick, see-as-much-as-you-can-as-fast-as-you-can things; those are the ones that visit several spots rapidly. Chenonceaux is certainly worth a longish visit (two hours or three), and Azay-Le-Rideau is also a wonderful spot (although you needn't spend as long there). If you want flexibility, rent a car in Tours. The driving is pretty easy in the Loire Valley.
Apr 19th, 2010, 09:03 AM
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I'd rethink the no-car choice, and Amboise is easily the best choice -- it's centrally located between the "western" and "eastern" chateaux in the area and has a great chateau of its own.
MidnightSun forgot Chambord, which is huge and can take a 1/2 day, and Cheverny, which is the inspiration for Marlinspike Hall in the immensely popular Tintin series (and well worth a visit). Azay is worth a look, Villandry's gardens are great, but the best of the bunch are Amboise, Chenonceau, Chambord and Cheverny and they're all easily accessed by car and from Amboise.
MidnightSun forgot Chambord, which is huge and can take a 1/2 day, and Cheverny, which is the inspiration for Marlinspike Hall in the immensely popular Tintin series (and well worth a visit). Azay is worth a look, Villandry's gardens are great, but the best of the bunch are Amboise, Chenonceau, Chambord and Cheverny and they're all easily accessed by car and from Amboise.
Apr 24th, 2010, 01:37 PM
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I would recommend renting a car. I got mine at Avis in the train station where the TGV stops near Tours. We stayed in Chenonceaux at La Roseraie also. The hotel and restaurant are both very nice and the owners are as good as it gets. You can walk to the chateau. As far as location within the valley, it is similar to Amboise, just over the hill from it.
