I will have a car in France. Can all three above chateaus be seen in the same day? How long does it take to typically self-tour through Cheverny and the others? What about the walk between the parking lot and the chateau itself? I am trying to save a day for another site, but I don't want the chateau visits to be a blur, either. I would appreciate any chateau touring advice!
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Hi Bob.. don't know how much help I can be but here goes. I have been to Loire Valley twice. Once with dad and rental car, spent two nights in Amboise and toured around most chateaus in three days. Leisurely trip and fun.
Second time I had brought my 14 yr son to Paris and did not want to rent or drive a car by myself so we took a one day bus tour of Chateaus. We saw the three "C"s all in one day,, and that counts with loading all 50 of us on and off buses, and dividing us into langauge groups . I had see the castles before,,so didn't think the amount of time allowed was too short, but perhaps for a first visit a bit more time in each place would have been nice.. but, my point is, yes, its doable all in one day. You have a car so can come and go as you please,, you don't have to wait for 49 other people,, so can move quicker,, but, on downside, bus driver knows exactly what route to take and has done it hundreds of times, he doesn't get lost or take a longer route by accident.. so he can make up time. I guess I am saying, go for it, but plan and map out a route before you go,, and have a good navigator.
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
Yes. Comfortably doable. depending on what you want to see at the various chateaux . On one of our trips we averaged about 4 - but at some (for example) we only did the gardens. I would start at the top priority one for you, and then you can pace yourselves at the others.
For me, Chenanceaux took the longest, stuff to see in the chateaux and in the grounds, wherea Chambord didnt take as much time as I had expected
Posted by
San Clemente, Ca.
408 posts
Bob, If you are a dog lover like myself and my husband then make sure to see the feeding of the hounds at Cheverny. I got the information from my Rick Steve's guide book. I think it was around 5:00 or so. Just save it for the last visit of the chateau's that day. The three chateau's are so neat and different from each other. We had three nights so we usually saw two chateaus a day. Villandry is really neat for the gardens. We did not tour the chateau. The time is up to you due to how much you want to see and how much time you want to wander the gardens. Cheverny has a guided tour the others were go as you please through the chateaus.
There is quite a bit of walking required for the visits. It is a beautiful area, enjoy your trip.