Thank you for you time. My family (3 total) wants to visit the Loire Valley. We would like to see Chenonceau and Chambord, possibly Villandry. We don't want to rent a car. Can anyone provide the names of tour companies (or individuals) that can get us to the chateaux for a reasonable price? I've read where Tours is the most practical base but Amboise looks more quaint. I've stayed in Blois once before and would like to stay somewhere different. Also, if you have recommendations for budget accommodations in these locations, please let me know.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Acco Dispo is well reviewed and runs small tours from Tours.. and Amboise also I think. You could take the train to either and pick up a tour..
We stayed just outside Amboise ( we had a car.. so that was not a problem) and thought Amboise was cute enough, but I have not been to Tours. Without a car you would have to stay in town I guess. We stayed at a Novatel .. but as I said.. it was fine for us because we had a car to get around.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Rick does recommend Amboise as a quite practical base without a car, served by train, with minivan tours offered by a few companies, as well as separate minivan shuttle service to Chenonceau and Chambord in summer
Posted by
Los Angeles
4853 posts
We stayed at the Chateau du Pray in Amboise and I couldn't get my wife to leave, she just loved it. Tours is convenient because it's where the TGV station is.
We rented a car as part of the rail pass/car package, but that doesn't work for you. It's easy to drive in the Loire.
Posted by
Savannah, GA
1382 posts
Stay in Tours. It's a fabulous, underrated city with a gorgeous old town, an amazing cathedral, and it's in the Loire. And it's an easy hour on the TGV or 2 hours on the slow train.
When I am in Tours I use a company called Quart de Tours (http://www.chateaux-tours.com/). They aren't guides, they simply provide easy transportation from the train station in Tours to the places and get you in at the group rate. There's a hotel called Le Grand Hotel near the train station in Tours (actually out front and to the left) that would be perfect for you.
Should you choose Tours, I'd be happy to provide you with any recommendations as I always find myself in Tours when I go to France.