Day trip to Loire Valley from Paris

If you take the TGV to St Pierre des Corps, you'll have a longer time in the Tours/chateau area than if you go in a road vehicle.

The fast train gets there way faster than a car/bus/van can.

If you go in a road vehicle, much of your day is spent getting there and back.

Because of the large amount of train time, I would not go on this trip. But if you will never have another chance in your life to visit some Loire castles, it sounds fine. I'd make sure that you can meet-up at the right time for the start of the tour. Transportation between castles is absolutely essential, so paying for a full-day tour makes sense, once you decide you like the tour. You need, maybe, to do some more reliability and quality review searching.

I'd feel better if the website showed the actual timetable and named the meeting point. I don't think you'll find anyone on this website who has been on this actual tour, to give you a report. When we have bought packaged bus tours (say, Toledo from Madrid), we have tried to find tours with no lunch payment included. Then at the lunch restaurant, we ask the guide what time we need to be back at the restaurant, and then tour on our own for an hour or so. We buy a premade, un-refrigerated sandwich from a display case at a street-front convenience store, typically, and walk while eating it. This makes the most, of a very rushed, regimented day. Of course, it assumes that the restaurant is "downtown" somewhere interesting, and not a "highway rest stop."

Kim, thanks!

I would need a tour just to make things easier as I won’t have a car, but the train makes a lot of sense - cutting down much of the travel time

This one looks good, too

It’s not ideal, but I think a taste is better than none at all…and they can customize the tour to my needs

https://www.riverloire.com/loire-valley-tours/loire-valley-day-tour

Thank you!!!

Tim,

I found this company that was recommended on another site that gets great reviews. They’ll pick you up pretty much anywhere you want -Kim suggested St Pierre de Corps, and that’s one of their pick ups.

It’s not ideal - but I don’t know when I’m getting back to Europe, to be honest….and I think as long as I don’t push it, it could be fine. I wouldn’t do more than 2 chateaux. In this sample day tour, we see Chenonceau & Amboise, plus Close Luce…but if I wanted to do another Chateau instead of, say, Amboise, that would be fine.

For me, I’m more interested in food than wine… I think I’m leaning towards Villandry if I add one more

https://www.riverloire.com/loire-valley-tours/loire-valley-day-tour

Thank you so much!!!

I was in Amboise and surrounding area two months ago after having done a lot of research!

Betsy - are you traveling solo or with at least one other person? I ask because some tour companies require 2 or more to run a tour. For instance, here are the policies of one of the companies that I attempted to use. I was hoping for "join-in" tour. https://www.accodispo-tours.com/selling-conditions.html

It seems if a traveler is ready to book a "private tour" that those can be made for a single person, but I wasn't willing to spend the necessary money. (I managed on my own - public transport - to get to the chateaux I was interested in.) If you are traveling solo, I suggest checking with any tour company you book with as to whether they have a minimum participant policy. I have had booked tours canceled last minute more than once as a solo traveler.

That said, I have talked with people who took an early train from Paris to Tours and picked up an Acco Disco Tour (company linked above), then returned to Paris on an evening train. Perhaps that is an option rather than a coach tour from Paris.

I think your time may be limited if you try to DIY with public transport in a day trip from Paris. I've linked a post of mine below describing how I managed transport - but this was from Amboise, not Paris. The train schedules for visiting Chenonceaux and Chambord are reasonably limited. Hard enough from Amboise or Tours with only one or two train time options, I would have found it very hard from Paris.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/brittany-and-loire-itinerary

As far as lunch in Amboise, there are a number of cafes. I'm like the poster above and would prefer to grab or bring a sandwich rather than sit in a restaurant if I felt my time was limited. I don't know the typical turn-around time.

Betsy, is this your first trip to Europe? I ask, in this case, because of the good advice just above about spending/wasting TWO HOURS having an exquisite SLOW FOOD lunch in a major foodie country! It is very hard to get out of even a mediocre sit-down meal in France in less than two hours.

Did you see this note for the second tour company?

a typical day tour will start at € 190,00 per person on a basis of 4 persons.

It's also a "different" risk to make your own train trip to meet a local tour in Tours or St. Pierre des Corps. What if there is an abandoned bag on the Paris train platform and the police close down the station for 40 minutes? (That happened to us at CDG, when we were going immediately to Strasbourg from transatlantic arrival.) BTW, have you learned how to exercise the SNCF website (and OuiGo) to see how many trains go to Tours, and how many to St. P de C, or require a shuttle to do the last mile?

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips

We liked Villandry a lot, but it's worth noting that it is WEST of Tours, while most of the big targets are EAST of Tours. These are non-controlled access roads, which are very busy during the tourist high season. I can't imagine ginning up Goat Farm Tours and Wine Tastings when you are paying a lot of money and spending a lot of travel time to see things (castles with reputations ... ) that can only be seen during daylight hours on one day, for you. In fairness, this is a matter of personal travel style. But I would still ask, have you punched up each of these castles on Goodle Maps and gotten the Auto travel time between them?

I've visited Goat Farms in Vermont, and tasted wine all over the world, but also in Parisian wine shops. Are they promising a visit to a working winery, or just a "wine tasting?"

This newsboard is full of Independent Travelers, so I'm not, remotely, criticizing your own hard work to plan a successful trip. I'm only worried about (possible ???) lack of experience in doing this.

Hi Betsy, this tour may be an option. This was during my 2019 trip in that area.

Update: that is still an option. But, if you’re taking the 1-hour train from Paris, you need to leave by 7am at the latest on the train.

”I had reserved a chateau tour with Acco-Dispo, but they needed more participants, so I switched to a tour with A La Francaise. For this tour, a couple from Ireland & I went to see the outstanding gardens at Villandry. Our guide walked us through the chateau to see the rooms and see the garden views. Afterwards, she provided a relaxing picnic on the grounds of Chateau L'Iselette. The first tour I had planned to take was going to be intense, covering four chateaus during an entire day. This half-day tour turned out to be the opposite - very relaxing, and I really enjoyed the chance to relax in the country setting and hear much more about living in France from our young guide. Villandry had been my top priority, and we had plenty of time there to enjoy the setting, arriving before it was crowded. (I had seen some of the other chateaus years ago.)”

Oh yes, if you're going to do a visit in one day, you absolutely will need a guide to pick you up in Tours and take you around. I just meant you are better off getting yourseld to the Loire more quickly to have more time there in the hands of the guide you hire in Tours (or Blois).

ORD, by myself…but the company I linked to above - RiverLoire- specializes in tours for individuals

I’ve decided not to try this on my own, especially after doing a deep dive into RiverLoire

I sent a messsge to the company for more details, so we’ll see what they say about lunch

Thank you!!

Tim, I have been to Europe several times..!

I’m not going to worry about lunch at this point, TBH …

I took a quick look on the SNCF site - looks Ile there are many trains. The guide would pick me up at the station, so no issue there. I’m not familiar with OuiGo

I’ll chat with my contact about the feasibility of doing Chenonceau & Villandry …also, the price

I have no interest in wine tasting - I’m more into food, lol

I really appreciate your help - this was incredibly helpful!

Jean, that tour sounds lovely…was it the Azay-Le-Rideau tour?

I would never do 4 chateaux - that’s insane…3 is pushing it, 2 is ideal.

If this tour I’m looking into doesn’t work out, I would consider your tour…though it’s shorter than I’d want, with no lunch (that is, no stop for lunch). You say that you had a picnic - but I didn’t see that in the tour description

Thank you so much!!!

Kim, absolutely! Thank you for bringing that up!

I looked at the itinerary for the RiverLoire company. In spite of the translation errors on the main page to me the itinerary looks varied and interesting. I loved Chenonceau - iconic location built over the river and lovely gardens if you have time for a walk thru. I also enjoyed Amboise, particularly Clos Luce.

I have not done a tasting in a troglodyte cave dwelling but walked thru an area of troglodytes sort of near Saumur this last October. Very interesting and quite different. In discussing the plans, forum member Elizabeth (posted upthread) told me many local still lived in troglodyte cave homes until the 20th century.

Of course this itinerary depends on if you are OK just seeing one chateau and getting a taste of the Loire Valley area or if you are highly interested in seeing a number of chateaux and less diversity. To me one or 2 chateaux is enough. They are often not furnished in contrast to the big stately homes and some castles in England. Depends on what is enjoyable to you, though.

Pam, I watched part of Rick’s Loire Valley episode (will finish soon)…Chenonceau is stunning. The first chateau he visited was Chambord, which is staggeringly gorgeous, but I prefer Chenonceau’s simplicity. He based himself in Amboise, and featured Clos Luce, which I would love to see…

My priorities would be Chenonceau and Villandry …and with enough time, Clos Luce & Amboise…but we’ll see; I’ll need to have a discussion with them

I’m not interested in trying to see as many chateaux as I can by rushing the day. I’d like to take a little time for lunch, explore a town or two…
It will be amazing day…

Thank you !!

Betsy,

The tour I did went through the house & lovely gardens at Villandry. Then we went over to a small privately owned chateau and ate a picnic lunch at a table under a shade tree. It was a very leisurely half day. My priority was seeing Villandry since I had seen the other famous chateaus during an earlier trip. That was the reason why I was okay with a multiple chateau option at first; I was just planning to just browse the highlights of the ones I had seen.

Jean, that sounds even better!

I haven’t seen any of the chateaux before, so I’m in a different situation, but…we’ll see what these people say. I do want a more relaxing day - kind of a mix between what you did and more touring

Thank you!

Well, I heard from RiverLoire - and the itinerary they describe is fantastic, but it’s €900….so while I haven’t decided, that’s an awful lot of money,

While I’m letting this rattle around in my head, I’ve been looking at other tour companies -

There IS an Acco-Dispo tour I’d be interested in, but as mentioned above, there’s a real risk of it being cancelled there aren’t enough participants

https://www.accodispo-tours.com/reservation/departure-from-tours/booking/full-day-jardins-de-villandry-azay-le-rideau-chenonceau-amboise.html?program=fullDay

I like this one because it includes Villandry & Chenonceau - though only an hour at Villandry. They don’t even offer a detailed look at the itinerary, which is unusual

With A La Francaise, they just don’t offer a great variety - 4 tours. I’m really not interested in Chambord, but I’d have to do that in order to visit Chenonceau.

This half day tour sound lovely…but no Chenonceau …or lunch …

https://www.alafrancaise.fr/en/loire-valley/141-villandry-and-family-castle

Jean, I believe this was your tour. Did you arrange a picnic lunch separately?

As well, there is also the risk of cancellation. Being a solo traveler has real disadvantages.

I like the idea of spending time in Amboise, too …and that’s not part of this tour, either

If I don’t spend the $$$$ on the private tour, I’ll have to make hard choices

I’m not sure what to do, lol

Thanks!

Well, it's 40-60 minutes between Chenonceau and Villandry, and that doesn't include pickup time in Tours and getting to the first stop of the tour. That 190 Euro minimum 4 persons = 760 Euros tour doesn't look so bad now. I suppose a private tour avoids jerks being late back to the bus or eating smelly cheese aboard, but that kind of private service is expensive. Because we had to park our car in a meadow across the road and up the way (lots were full in summer), you could say that a van drop-off (assuming the guide and the driver are different people) saves 10 minutes in and ten minutes out of each Chateau.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/DUqvA9oMeVk7Jg1a9

We went to a Troglodyte cave a bit to the west, on our way to the coast. It was interesting, and popular with kids, but certainly not worth the time on a same-day-out from Paris.

It is not reasonable for me to impose MY travel style on YOU. But I would focus on making the best use of limited time. You can always have a relaxing day in Paris, and at least an equally good picnic. For example, I was anxious to visit Azay le Rideau, because it is the origination place for outdoor Son et Lumiere events. But it turns out to be a very attractive grounds, if only a modest Chateau. It's in an over-grazed town with many close-in dining options. But as I said, you don't have two hours to eat at a tablecloth-restaurant.

Why did I mention Azay? Because it's virtually ON the route in that Google Maps link above. Click on Add A Destination, and type in Azay. As you know, there are lots of Chateaux to the east, in a similar vein.

Gulp....well 900E is a lot! I understand your situation as a solo traveler but wow, that is a lot. I honestly would probably default to one of the big bus tours from Paris by someone like Paris City Vision which would be WAY less money but still provide you with transportation to the chateaux.

This October, on a 13 night small group tour with Seymour Travels, Mark took us to Villandry and Azay-le-Rideau one day. I thought Villandry was very cool...but mostly because of the gardens and not the actual structure. I was thru there in about 30 minutes (rooms were not really furnished) and then outside to wander the spectacular gardens. The combined flowers with veg and in October although many of the veggies had been harvested, there were plenty of pumpkins to add color. Very cool.

I've been in and around and through quite a few of the Châteaux of the Loire, my way ahead by head and shoulders one was hands down Château de Chenonceau.

The surroundings, the easy parking, the delightful lunch at the dining room of Boeuf Bourguignon, the views from inside and out, the beautiful little river, the train station across the road - by a mile my favourite.

Any tour which skipped Chenonceau would make me cry. And if you had no tour you could easily get there by train and walk the short distance across the road.

Tim, the biggest problem for me with the public small group tours is the real possibility of cancellation, not the fellow passengers.

Paris is my favorite place in the world, so spending more time there is never a bad thing…but because I don’t know when I’m going to return to France …to Europe…I’ve now got myself excited about spending a day in the Loire Valley.

I’ve fallen in love with Chenonceau - I guess if I had to choose just one, I’d choose that - even over Villandry and those incredible gardens. Maybe I could get to Chenonceau via Amboise, visit the chateau, and then spend time in Amboise.

Lots of research to be done, lol

Thank you. !!!

Nigel, I watched Rick’s episode on the Loire again and completely fell in love…..

I mentioned this above, but could I take the train from Paris to Amboise and take public transport to Chenonceau? How about Villandry? Because I would seriously consider spending overnight in Amboise if it meant seeing both, and maybe even Blois as well. Getting into the French countryside would be wonderful !

Thank you!

Pam, I might ask them what they could cut out to reduce the price…but I’m thinking now, maybe I should spend one night in Amboise and see both Chenonceau & Villandry on different days…Imagibe what the gardens are like in June?

I love the idea of getting out into the French countryside, even for a brief time

Thank you!!

Chenonceau is 19 minutes with one intermediate stop from the main main station from Pars, St-Pierre-des-Corps.

The train may be one which runs through to Lyon, for example

12:05 from Tours, 12:12 from St-Pierre-des-Corps, brief stop at Blere la Croix, arriving at 12:32 in Chenonceaux.

Then continues via Montrichard, St Aignan Noyers, Selles sur Cher, Gievres, Villefranche-sur-Cher, Vierzon Ville, Bourges,
Nevers, Moulins-sur-Allier, Dompierre Sept Fons, Gilly sur Loire, Digoin, Paray le Monial, La Clayette Baudemon, Chauffailles,
Lamure sur Azergues, Bois d'Oingt Legny, Lozanne, arriving 17:55 at Lyon Part Dieu and 18:03 at Lyon-Perrache.

The trains are not every few minutes so you do need to plan a bit, but it can easily be done.

At the moment they are at 6:36, 7:01, 9:36, 12:12, 14:21, 17:01, 17:36 and a few into the night.
Going back from Chenonceaux at 6:31, 7:00, 7:23, 8:05, 12:08, 13:06, 18:05, 18:28, etc.

Nigel,
Not my post, but you are so kind to provide such detail regarding transport to Chenonceau. Merci bien!

Nigel, thanks!

I really would want to make this day - if I keep it as just a day- to be an experience, so I’m not sure if I’d just make a day trip from Paris just to see a chateau. I’d want to at least combine it with spending some time in a town …

Any recommendations? I’ve been mentioning Amboise, but I read it’s more touristy than Blois..

I’m all over the place, lol

Thank you so much!!!

Something that helped me was playing around with the SNCF website or app for a few realities. For instance, you can see times for round trip Paris Austerlitz to Amboise or Blois - possible as a day trip. You can also see Paris to Chenonceau options with a connection. (Chenonceau is walkable from the Chenonceaux station.) The times and prices may change before June, but this will give you an idea of what could be done. Also, track works are sometimes done on the weekends and schedules change - I try to look at week days for my advance planning.

Amboise does have 3 different chateaux walkable from the station as well as the town center. Blois Chateau is walkable from the station as is the city center. Both towns are interesting - I didn't find Amboise over-touristy, but I wasn't there in June. I spent a morning in Tours - walkable historic center from station before getting the train on to Cheonceau.

Your thought process seems much the same as mine as I was planning a solo trip. The tours would be so easy, but the downside is expense for a private or the possibility of cancellation of a shared tour for lack of numbers. Really a dilemma!

You probably know this and have visited previously or rejected the thought but, although not in the Loire, Chantilly or Fontainebleau close to Paris are quite easy. Vaux le Vicomte is my favorite chateau. Also closer to Paris - just need a taxi ride from the station.

ORD, thank you do much!

I will fiddle around with that site, and think in my mind about how this can work …keeping in mind that it’s always easier on paper than in reality

I admit that I did mentally reject out of hand the other possibilities, but just looking at my guide book - and without doing more research- they sound like great days out, especially Vaud-Le-Vicomte

If I were to go to the latter, is that a half day thing? All day? Is there anything else interesting there? Maybe a good restaurant?

Thank you!!!!

Oh my god

This looks incredible - and what a way for me to end my extended stay in Europe!

https://vaux-le-vicomte.com/animations-et-evenements/programmation/visitez-aux-chandelles/

But Chantilly - although kind of fake on the outside-sounds awesome, too - no shuttle required

hmmm

edit:

How can I not pick Chantilly? It sounds amazing anyway, but they have horse shows …and I’m a horsey girl…AND it’s where Crème Chantilly was invented ..!

I see a kid in a candy store.

The nearby chateaux are excellent too. No question. Quite different and quite special. Any which way I am sure you will have a wonderful day.

Just for the record, I once stayed at a small private chateau in the countryside outside Blois. We drove (personal car from home) into and through the town of Blois and I wasn't impressed, neither was Mrs Nigel. The place we stayed was ok - ish, but we thought we would have preferred Amboise which we have never explored in detail.

Nigel, I am!

I would still love to spend a day in the Loire, but nothing has come together…and unless I decide to stay overnight in Amboise (sorry that you didn't love Blois), I just think it’s a bit much for me to do by myself -including train back to Paris. It’s not like I’m not doing plenty of traveling during the 2 1/2 months I’m in the UK, but by the time I’m in Paris, it will be the end of my trip…and I’ll be too tired to hop multiple trains multiple times

Thank you much!

Betsy - I'm a horsey gal also as was my travel companion on our visit to Chantilly. (a few years before covid, but within the last 8 or so years). The horse show was fun - commentary was in French, but my French is sufficient to follow. My friend is fluent. Not necessary to understand the commentary to enjoy the performance, IMHO.

The horse museum was good. The grounds are also lovely. Chantilly seems off the radar for many travelers. We were there in September with very few visitors (again, pre-covid, things can change). We were warned to avoid Race Days - those are apparently packed.

There are a lot of great options - I suspect you would be pleased with what ever your final destination.

ORD, yeah, that’s fine - commentary with be great, but not needed; the show will be wonderful regardless. I’m actually a horse racing fan - is the track on the grounds? I’d love to visit …

One thing I found out is that, in addition to the fabulous art collection, Chantilly has a spectacular library…which is like heaven to me.

Just based on my research, I imagine Chantilly is overlooked because Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte are more “spectacular”. But Chantilly seems gorgeous to me, and many people have described it as peaceful

The summer evenings at Vaux-le-Vicomte sound spectacular, so a part of me still wants to do that, lol…

But either way, it will be a fantastic day

Thank you!

Betsy - As I recall, you walk by the Chantilly Race Track from the station to the chateau.

https://www.francegalop-live.com/en/racecourses/chantilly-racecourse/

In Paris, there is Longchamp right by the Bois de Boulogne. Close also to the Musee Marmottan Monet. My friend and I combined a museum visit with a stroll through the Bois and past Longchamp Hippodrome.

https://www.france-galop.com/en/hippodromelongchamp

ORD, oh wow ….doesn’t get much better than that or a racing fan !

Oh, thank you for reminding me of the Marmottan - I have it on my list, but I forgot to add it to my preliminary itinerary. I would absolutely do both …is the Bois safe ?

FYI, I’m making a separate thread about these chateaux outside Paris because some people may not see that stuff in a thread about the Loire

I need to also consider Fontainebleau ..

Thank you !!!

Hi,

Logistically, doing a day trip from Paris to see a chateau in the Loire can be done. I almost did that last summer but got "diverted" in my interests.

Take the train from Paris (Gare de Lyon ?...check on this) to Orleans. Here I got diverted to explore Orleans instead. The RER train goes from Orleans to Blois, where buses at that station go out to the chateaux. I was thinking of Chambord, which is accessible by bus.

Bottom line here: Paris - Orleans - Blois, then the bus to Chambord.

Departing early from Paris will give you the time to get to Blois.

Hi Fred

I decided against a day trip to the Loire Valley because I just couldn’t make it work, and the private tour was way too expensive…

But I’m going to do a couple of day trips to Chantilly & Fontainebleau …

I appreciate your help!