Next summer we would like to spend about a week there. How easy is it to get around if you don't want to rent a car? Are the chateaux near the train stations? Is there a good bus system from town to town?
A friend suggested taking the train from Paris and renting a car for the week. Any one with that kind of experience? Seems to me it would be very expensive.
Any suggestions on places to stay? We are willing to stay at different ends of the valley to make it easier to see the nearby chateaux.
The chateaux are not near the train stations. Having a car makes it easier, bus and minivan tours are other options if you want to see only the standard ones. Parking at the chateaux is not a problem, you have to have accommodations that will facilitate secure car parking for overnight. Car rental is not cheap but less expensive if you book it from over here. Gas is $9/$10 per gallon so add to your budget for fuel. If you take the train from/to Paris, you're not driving enormous miles. Amboise and Chinon are good home bases. Tours is a big city.
I did this a few years ago but I used a car. The cost was well worth it - but I like convenience too. I cannot imagine trying to do this without your own transportation unless you do it with a bus tour - which for me is like fingernails on a chalkboard. Going by car is very easy, the roads are fine and the driving is quite normal. I stayed in Tours and drove from there to see the various chateaus. Bon Voyage!
