My husband and I will be in Paris for 10 days in September. We are interested in taking a day trip to the Loire Valley to do some wine tasting. I know there are guided tours from Paris, but we would prefer to take the TGV from Paris to Tours, and then navigating the area ourselves. Is this doable via public transportation, or would we need to rent a car? Most of what I've found on the internet is about the various Chateaux in the area, but we are more interested in visiting vineyards. Any advice would be appreciated.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6568 posts
Public transportation won't help you much on a visit to the Loire, especially for just one day. You'll want to rent a car at the TGV station. This will limit the driver's tasting opportunities as DUI laws are strict and the per se limit is .05 (and impairment occurs at lower levels).
You might consider a one-day tour from the TGV station, like this company offers. They seem expensive, and I can't vouch for them, but it's a start. Google may be able to help with more choices.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7372 posts
Is this your first trip to Europe? I ask because the Loire is so spread out, and better know for chateaux, despite the fine wines made there. I wonder if another region, like Burgundy or Champagne might have the tour services you need. In some areas, the "best" wineries need reservations. In Alsace, you can find more than one winery in a town. In Germany, even more so.
Because you are coming in September, you should do specific reasearch for wine festivals (such as I've been to in Germany) that would let you taste multiple wines in a town square, or something like that. There would be a cost for those tastings. It is not a rule that you have to buy if you taste at a winery, but how would you carry your purchases without a car?
Posted by
Loire Valley, France
9 posts
We have friends who run www.letastingroom.com offering wine tours in the Loire Valley, with a pickup from Angers if required (Paris to Angers is just as easy as Paris-Tours). Very professional and friendly service, lots of local knowledge and a real fun day out.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, US
1005 posts
Renting a car might not be a good idea if you both want to taste the wine. The French are very strict about drunk driving and the maximum alcohol level is lower than in the US. I book a wine tour in Tours, or travel to Chinon and walk to the many "caves" in the city that offer wine-tastings.
Posted by
OP
21 posts
Thank you all for the feedback. Based on the advice here, I think we will go with a tour. I definitely do not want to get a DUI in France!