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Loire Valley-stays

Posted by (Southeast of Seattle) on

Our trip to France this fall has changed dramatically since first posting about Paris and the Arrondissement.

We arrive in Toulouse 19SEP- stay 6 nights
Train to Bordeaux on 25SEP- stay 7 nights
Train to Bayeux on 02OCT- stay 7 nights- rent a car while there

Now for the time between Bayeux and Paris. Paris stay is 17OCT-01NOV moving to CDG for departure 02NOV.

Initially thought we would drive to Rouen from Bayeux with a stop in Etretat , then stay in Rouen for time in between Bayeux and Paris. Since we’ll have the car and my husband is looking forward to driving and now with the addition of possibly seeing acquaintances in Orleans, we have the chance to spend time in the Loire valley. We are going to stay in Orleans at least 3 nights, leaving 4 nights for somewhere else in the vicinity- most likely 09OCT-12OCT.

Amboise is convenient, but also popular with day tours and tourists in general, so I’m wondering about Chinon, Langeais or a similar interesting town in that area. I think we would rather not stay in either Tours or Blois either and possibly not as far west as Saumur unless it’s really wonderful. As for Chateau? Interiors are not of much interest, but the surrounding gardens, etc would be. I’ve looked at the major ones and those closer to the area of Chinon have more interest. Wine is of great interest, but feel we’ll do fine with a glass or bottle here and there. No tours necessary.

We will drop the car in Orleans on 13OCT and take train into Paris.
For anyone reading this that followed the arrondissement post-still have not decided where in Paris we will stay.

Posted by
6713 posts

If the chateaux near Chinon interest you most, then stay in Chinon. Four nights there = three full days of sightseeing, which ought to be enough. You could pick off another chateau, like Chenonceau or Chambord, on your drive to Orleans. You'll find good wine everywhere.

I'm partial to the chateau at Blois because it includes three or four different architectural styles, from different eras, around its courtyard, and it was the scene of some pivotal events in French history. It would also be close to the route between Chinon and Orleans. But Blois doesn't appear in most RS fans' lists of top picks.

Posted by
731 posts

Thank you Dick. Definitely a good idea to see at least one other Chateau on the drive to Orleans. The one in Blois does sound interesting and may be of more interest to us because of the architecture styles.

Posted by
2587 posts

I’ve twice stayed in Onzain, nicely located between Blois and Amboise, opposite Chaumont

Posted by
920 posts

We have stayed in Amboise twice…….love the ease of walking after a day of chateau touring and the long avenue full of shops….there is a wonderful street across the road from the castle that has lots of places to eat and people watch. We have enjoyed using our rental car to tour Cheneceau, Azay le Rideau, Chambord, Cheverny, Villandry and Amboise’s chateau from Amboise. The host at our hotel in Amboise last May was moving his employment to a 5-star hotel in Blois last June……we were not attracted enough by Blois to consider going back there.

Posted by
731 posts

Thanks Stephen. I did the google map search looking at streets and Onzain didn’t appear as interesting as Chinon. Good for me to look though.

Jane-it seems Amboise will be tourist delight, not that we haven’t been part of that scene ourselves recently! hence, looking for somewhere not quite as well known and well travelled.

Per Dicks’ suggestion, we will try to see Chenonceaux, Chambord and possibly Blois chateaux on our drive to Orleans. Unfortunately the car rental drop in Orleans closes at 5, so only two stops may be practical.

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