CDG to the Loire - Train, car or?

Where in Loire? We took a train from Montparnasse to Chartres where we rented a car. I recall the trains running at least hourly, I think it took a half hour. You could also take a train from Montparnasse to Tours. A high speed train takes about an hour. There are several car rental companies at the Tours train station.

Those are good suggestions. We were hoping to go directly from CDG but maybe we'll need to get into Paris and take a train from there.

This link for CDG to the Loire region may be helpful.

https://www.experienceloire.com/charles-de-gaulle-to-loire-by-train.htm

I've done this twice. Cdg to St Pierre Des corps. Then rent your car there. They have automatic transmission available. I think there's 5 trains or so per day. It is the Bordeaux tgv line.

Matt

There are a very few direct trains from CDG to Tours (St. Pierre des Corps), but none would be convenient for you. And on the SNCF site, the other trains make some really bizarre connections, because they don't go directly into Paris. Your best bet is to take Le Bus Direct 4 ( hourly) to Gare Montparnasse, and catch the TGV from there (there's a 1230 and 1259, both direct, which could be doable). Whether or not you buy the train tickets in advance depends on how willing you are to risk a delay with your flight, or getting to the station.

As mentioned before, there are several car rental agencies at the St Pierre des Corps station. I wouldn't recommend driving any long distances after getting off a transatlantic flight, due to the effects of jet lag. But if you are staying somewhere close to Tours (Amboise, for example), then your drive would be quite short.

Here is an example why transcontinental flights and driving are a sub par idea.

"Driver fell asleep" at 3 in the afternoon

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/four-escape-with-minor-injuries-after-wreck-vehicle-fire-near-sequim/

So many excellent hints, links and tips here which exactly what we wanted. More are appreciated! We are also considering renting the car at CDG for our five weeks in France, and dropping it back there - depends on the price difference. Apparently, now the rental sites show more cars available than when we checked a couple of months ago. Originally, we were going to rent the car in the Loire and drop it in Strasbourg, taking the train to a Paris apartment from there. I appreciate the caution for driving when fresh off a transatlantic flight. This is not our first rodeo flying into and driving out of a major European city. We make sure that we get at least six hours of sleep on the plane so that we are in safe and rested shape for driving. Merci beaucoup! ~Kay

There's a 9:19am and 11:19am tgv from cdg to St p d corps. Seems pretty convenient to me. I mean, a 10:19am would be better given your 8am arrival, but waiting one extra hour hardly seems like a deal breaker.

For the tgv, absolutely buy in advance. You risk losing them if your flight is delayed but we aren't talking about huge money.

Another vote for not driving on your arrival day.

Matt: what site did you find the 11:19 train on? The site I'm using doesn't d show it. https://en.oui.sncf/en/results?clientId=539f7c63-5988-47c0-a350-9484c5467a09&language=en&country=EN#!/

I just went to raileurope and chose a random day to search on. The results were consistent with my experiences. I've taken both the 9:19 (2017) and 11:19 (2015) trains in the past. It is a gloriously easy ride at a relatively cheap price. Beats driving the periphery at morning Rush hour hands down.

Thank you, everyone! I will see if we can find that 11:19 TGV train and get tickets. That seems like a good option.

Hello....just an update to this posting for CJean and Matt. The 11:15 train from CDG to Loire was finally listed today (7/20). We have found that not all train connections become as available as we would like...which can make one nervous and wondering what plans toshould make. Matt had said that, in his experience, there is an 11:15 train. Sure enough, it finally appeared in the schedule so we'll get our seats reserved.

Cool. Glad I could help. Have fun.

In the Loire there's a mushroom cave that we found to be pretty amazing. If you have the time, it is worth considering.

www.cntraveler.com/stories/2013-03-03/gourmet-mushroom-cave-loire-valley-france-vacation

Matt

Be sure you read your rental company's description of your pickup location's hours. They are likely to close, firmly, for two hours at lunchtime. There are cafes near the St. Pierre des Corps station for you to have your own lunch while you wait.