Any trip reports for the Loire Valley or Burgundy area? Planning a trip there next July. I will have a car but considering a rail pass to go to Paris for a few days.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10598 posts
Denise, this section is for people who are reporting on their trips. You might get more response if you ask your question in the To The West section.
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
Well I took a 2-day Gray Line bus tour from Paris to the Loire Valley chateaus in July and it was the one of the most beautiful experiences I've had in Europe. I think it would be wonderful to drive throughout the area, but you would need several days to see as much as I did on the tour, but the area is gorgeous. I hope you can make it into Paris too, could be pretty hot and will certainly be crowded, but it's great fun too!
Posted by
Estes Park, Colorado, USA
34 posts
Denise,
We were in the Loire Valley last October and based 4 nights out of Amboise. We stayed at a RS recommended B&B - La Chevalerie. It was great! Very simple, comfortable and quiet, just a short distance off the main motorway. A plus is that there is a simple kitchen, where you can prepare your own dinners. There is a nice market near the TI in downtown Amboise. 7 euroes can get you a baggette, fresh veggies to stirfry and a bottle of wine! Be sure to go to Leo. De Vinci's home in Amboise. I could not find La Chevalerie on TA, so if interested in pics, send me a PM. Cheers.
Posted by
Durham, USA
71 posts
I have a small section on the Loire part of our trip last summer. It's in the post "France (slightly) off the beaten path: Paris, Loire, Burgundy, Alps" to which I just added a note. (a link to a video of chanting vespers in the basilica in Vezelay in Burgundy) Loire was great. I would have loved to have spent longer there. Make sure you see Chaumont sur Loire gardens.
Posted by
Richmond, BC, Canada
35 posts
A year and a half ago I did a trip to London, Paris and the Loire Valley with two girlfriends. The highlight was without a doubt the Loire Valley and specifically Chateau La Touché where we enjoyed 4 fabulous nights. Luis and Serge are amazing hosts and very helpful with daily itineraries and restaurants resulting in the best meals of the entire trip. The Chateau itself is simply spectacular - newly restored, beautiful grounds and large spacious accommodation. I cannot wait to return with my husband and friends in the future and I hope regularly. It was 90 minutes on a Sunday morning from the Chateau to Charles de Gaulle airport.