Hello!
I'm looking for the perfect holiday place for me & my boyfriend, mid to end of August.
After considering Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania and Morocco, I thought we should stick closer to home (and wallet) and go to the Loire valley for some wine tasting and chateau visiting. I've duly been looking at the posts, and all seem to mention driving around. However, neither of us has a license, let alone a car.
How feasible is the Loire valley dream without a car?
If impossible, where would you go in mid August with a 1000 euro budget, leaving from Paris?
Cheers!
Miranda
miranda
1
timandkaren
Get the TGV to Tours, then train/bus to Chinon or Saumur. Bus to Chinon goes through Azay le Rideau (€7 entry for that chateau I think). The Tours info centre opposite the central train station (not the TGV one...get the 3 minute connection which is included in the ticket) has lots of tour options, and Tours itself is worth an overnight stay. and poke around. Only problem is mid August timing - hot and plenty of other tourists. You could stay in a "Gites de France", there are tons of them around the area.
2
chadhla
In addition to the info given by first poster, Langeais, Loches and Amboise are easily accessible by train from Tours. If you go to the Tours website, www. ligeris.com you will list of companies which do half day and day tours of the Chateaux which are more difficult to access by public transport. You can book online with some tour companies. i suggest Tours is the most central place to overnight. There are planty of accommodation options. Again the website has all the info and will book for you.
3
strawberita
It's a bit lengthier to use public transportation than your own car, but definitely possible.
4
la_vache
From Tours consider a local train to Amboise (interesting chateau, plus DaVinci's house), and then on to Blois (chateau). From Blois you can visit Chambord by rental bicycle or taxi, and Cheverny's a bit further. Chinon is a great town for walking about and wine tasting, although the chateau itself is just a large ruin.
Pro tip
Lonely Planet
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