We are planning a 10 day trip to France in mid November. We'd like to do 4-5 days in Burgundy (Lyon, Dijon and area) or the Loire Valley (Amboise, Blois, Tour etc.) , either before or after 4-5 days in Paris with a day trip or overnight to Reims or Epernay. Would love recommendations as to towns and nice accommodations that would serve as a good base to explore either the Loire Valley or Burgundy and itinerary ideas (Chateaux, vineyards, other sights). We will have a car for this portion of the trip. Many thanks!
Posted by
Denver, CO
731 posts
I loved staying in Amboise. It's nicely located for touring chateaux and only a 15 minute drive to Vouvray if you want to go wine tasting. We stayed in the ground floor of this adorable French house, with the most amazing views of the Amboise chateau. The owner, Chantal, lives a few houses away and is wonderful. We didn't drive, but her website says that there is free parking nearby. Very reasonably priced too! http://www.laportebleueamboise.fr/visit-in-english/the-ground-floor/
Posted by
California 🦋
5210 posts
Amalden,
Another vote for Amboise. We loved the peaceful atmosphere of this quaint city.
We stayed in a quiet B&B, but I don't think they offer parking.
Amboise makes a good home base for touring the Loire Valley & it's beautiful chateaux.
We didn't have a car but were able to visit 4 chateaux nearby via public transportation.
We also spent an afternoon in Blois visiting its chateau as well as doing some window shopping.
Have a wonderful trip!
Posted by
Lake Forest, CA, USA
1633 posts
Having just returned from that area, I would agree with previous posters that Amboise is more centrally located to the Chateaux. I stayed in Tours, however, Chambord was quite a distance for a day trip so I visited that chateau on my way towards Burgundy.
The Burgundy area is also quite spread out. Lyon and Dijon are really on the opposite sides with quite a distance in between. If you want to see Lyon, then stay in that area. For Burgundy, I stay in Meursault just south of Beaune. Like yourself, I drive and enjoy getting out into a small town. If you want to stay in Meursault, I have two B&Bs I have stayed at and can give you that information.
For accommodations, look at this website: chambres-hotes.fr Start sending out requests now for the middle of November.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks for the tips on Amboise. Would love the names of the B&Bs in Mersault! What kind of a drive was it from Chambord over to Burgundy? Should/could we attempt to do both in 6 days? Hubby only wants to move once during that stretch, so a couple of nights in Loire and the same in the Burgundy area.
Posted by
Lake Forest, CA, USA
1633 posts
I'll send you info on the Meursault B&Bs in a personal message on this website. Check your upper right corner.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6501 posts
Driving between, say, Amboise and Beaune would take the best part of a day, especially if you stop to visit Orleans, or Bourges, or Vezelay, or anything else along whichever scenic route you chose. I'd suggest picking either the Loire or Burgundy rather than trying to "do" both in your available 4-5 days. Both are superb regions with much to see and do, and drink and eat. You can visit both but you'll be speeding through experiences you'll wish you had time to savor. Hopefully this isn't your last trip to France, so save something for the next one!
Amboise is a good base for the Loire. Tours is more central but as a bigger city you'll spend more time getting in and out. Amboise has its own historic chateau plus the Clos Luce where Leonardo lived. Blois is another interesting chateau nearby, though less popular than the excellent Chambord, Cheverny, or Chenonceau. The medieval town of Loches, farther south, is also a good day trip. More chateaux are west of Tours -- Azay-le-Rideau, Villandry, Chinon, and others.
The best places we visited in Burgundy were the Hospice de Beaune, the basilica at Vezelay, the battlefield site at Alesia, Fontenay Abbey, and the lovely town of Semour-en-Auxois. And we're not big food-and-wine folks, but there are lots of vineyards to visit if you are. We haven't been to Lyon, a much bigger city, but I could imagine spending several days there. So you get the idea, slow down and smell the roses. ;-)
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
I think Dick has the right idea. Not enough time for both regions.
If 4-5 days is too much time in Burgundy, add Lyon. If too much time in the Loire, add a day or two to Paris.
Posted by
Granite Bay, CA
1914 posts
We LOVE both of those regions!! Like others have said, it maybe better to chose one.
So many great chateaux to visit in Loire. Blois was a beautiful village and I loved the view of the village outside of the chateaux on the hill, but the chateaux is really nothing to look at, IMO. So, I wouldn't chose that as a site over others unless you have seen all of your top picks first.
We stayed in a great location at a beautiful place, in a very tiny village in the countryside, and you would need a car. If you stay there make sure Beatrice chooses restaurants for you! Such great food!!
http://www.leclosdelachesneraie.com/?lang=en
We LOVE Burgundy. We decided to stay outside of our target area just because we wanted to stay at this B & B. What an awesome find!! Our favorite place in the whole world! And the region has so much to offer, we have stayed there for over a week, twice. It is all countryside and medieval villages! It is not in the Lyon or Dijon area, but it is really a great area to explore by car!
Carpe Diem Bed and Breakfast ...The BEST! If you stay there, you must eat there! Read about them on Trip Advisor
http://www.b-and-b-burgundy.com