Hi all, We are doing a mom-daughter trip to Europe that will include France. We want to do something besides Paris at the end of our trip but not make it too hard. We will only have a couple of days in some other city and then in Paris a couple of days. We have done Paris before. We have been looking at the city of Tours in the Loire Valley - go straight there from Bethune in the north, and then after a couple days, go back up to Paris - do a couple days - and then fly out. We had thought about doing Normandy but too big a region and not enough time. What do people think of Tours? Do we need a card to just generally do Tours and a couple of castles. We do not have to see every castle. Would just like to see a recommended one or two - is there decent transport to a castle or two - or in Tours - is their transport or accessible on foot? And......what are people's thoughts of the area - worth the visit? Read about it in a travel mag or NY Times or something. :-)
Posted by
Savannah, GA
1382 posts
Rick Steves doesn't promote Tours. Him and I disagree.
I spent a semester of my undergrad in Tours and love the city. Anyone I have ever taken there has been enchanted with it as well. If you stay in Tours you can take one of the many tours that leaves either the Gare SNCF or the Office de Tourisme. You do not need a car unless you want to see some of the lesser famous castles. Tours is quite walkable. At the moment they are putting in a tram that's set to start working in September, I believe. The old part of the city is gorgeous: Place Plumereau is a nice place to end your evenings with a drink. Tours is a college city, so it feels alive. Yes, it's a bigger city, but it is lovely and has a small town feel. The cathedral is amazing, it's right on the Loire, and has some great restaurants. I'm going back there this summer for a course for teachers. If you have any questions or need suggestions, don't hesitate to ask. Some helpful links: place plumereau: http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/france/the-loire-valley/review-157675.html Quart de Tours: Loire Valley Tours http://www.chateaux-tours.com/home
Posted by
Savannah, GA
1382 posts
Right on, Kira! Rose, that is a very good idea. I think you're right, Steve Smith does have a big hand in the book.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
1068 posts
What Alexander said. I totally don't get the lack of info on Tours in the Rick Steves "canon." It is a wonderful place to stay while exploring the Loire Valley, and a cool little burg in its own right!
Posted by
NYC
922 posts
Kira and Alexander, why don't you use the Guidebook Feedback page for France to tell ETBD what you think about Tours not being included adequately? I think Steve Smith does a lot of the work on the French guidebooks. https://www.ricksteves.com/books/feedback/questions.cfm/rurl/pid/47/
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10621 posts
I can think of a few other cities and areas of France that have been short changed. But I think we've had t discussion before, even quite recently.
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1862 posts
Check out Ina Caro's new book, Paris to the Past. She has an entire chapter about visiting Tours and enjoying its many layered history.
Posted by
Savannah, GA
1382 posts
Cynthia, thanks for the recommendation! Can you get me a link for this? I see Caro has a few books. Thanks so much!
Posted by
NYC
922 posts
Wow! What a great book recommendation. The full title is Paris to the Past: Traveling through French History by Train. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0393343154
Posted by
OP
new brighton, USA
58 posts
Thanks everyone for all your responses. My daughter and I plan to stay about two days. We want to see a few castles in the valley. Do we need a car or we just sign up for a tour. Do you get enough time in the castles on the tour?...and Tours easy to get around in when we are there? In other words...do we need a car? Thanks!
Posted by
Savannah, GA
1382 posts
Dear Kathy, I suggest taking the tour. They give you plenty of time. Tours is very easy to get around once you get there. It's a very walkable city and there are some nice hotels near the train station.
Posted by
Laguna Beach, CA, USA
272 posts
was in Tours this past summer and liked it. we then proceeded on a self guided bike trip around the loire valley that focused on chateau. while out biking, saw several vans that appeared to be large mini vans for tours so maybe that is somethign you can google/research. just day trips out of tours for castles. i am sure there is something like that. if you can get to the town of amboise i recommend it. small quaint town with a chateau perched above and the grounds/mansion/gardens where da vinci spent the final two years of his life. three of the chateau i remember for one reason or another: my favorite was chateau de la bourdasiere. set on beautiful grounds. seemed extra enjoyable because the day we were there, we wandered around and didn't see another soul. soooo pretty. inside is now a hotel and from what we could tell, not really supposed to tour around inside. great gardens with huge tomato garden and flower gardens. chateau d'azay le rideau. enjoyed this, tour both in and out. great photo opps on back side with castle reflecting in large pond chateau du rivau. the quirkiest place i have seen. it's pretty. but also very odd. you have to see to understand. let's just say there is something called the enchanted forest of running legs.
happy travels!