MY FIRST TRIP TO FRANCE: I am planning a 3 night trip to the Loire Valley at the end of March. After doing much research and reading many of advice posts in this forum, I decided I would get my specific situation solved if I posted.
My party will be me and my boyfriend, both in our early 20%26#39;s. We%26#39;re renting a car in Versailles (thanks to advice I read here) and heading to the Loire Valley after. We would like to see at a minimum: Chenonceaux, Amboise/Da Vinci%26#39;s place, and Villandry.
Both of us have been researching places to stay and loved the idea of staying at either Manoir Les Minimes (96 euros/night) or Chateau des Ormeaux (about 100 euros/night for a 2 night stay). However, we realized we have already spent too much on the Paris portin of this trip, so decided to save by looking at other hotels. I found La Roseraie in Chenonceaux at a variable price of 60something to 90 something euros for a double. If we can get it at 70, that would be great. However, does anyone have experience with the area and these specific hotels? Is it worth the premium to stay at either of the pricey places, or should we stay at La Roseraie and save $$$? Does anyone have any other suggestions for a place to stay at about 70 euros in the area that would be convenient for visiting those chateaus? Are there any other chateaus/sights in the Loire Valley that are worth visiting in such a short time? Thanks so much in advance.
P.S. We heard from Avis that you have to be 25 to rent a car. We are 24...will they really charge the 25 euro/day underage premium when we get there? Is there a chance they will let it go?
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I also found the Hotel Saint-Pierre in Saumur that has great rates. We are not opposed to splitting our time between different hotels. Is it worth it to drive out to Saumur just for that hotel? Are there be better sights in that direction?
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I am also researching a trip to France for this comming May. I have been looking at the Best Western Hotel Val De Loire, as a possible stay. Does Matildet stand for Matilde?
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I%26#39;ve been to the Loire Valley several times but have never stayed there. I recommend visiting Chateau Chenonceau and Chateau Amboise where you can visit the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci.
I don%26#39;t know where your staying in Paris but I%26#39;ve stayed at the Hotel Le Loirett which is is in the first arrondissement off a Plaza by the Louvre and my family and I loved it. Though the Hotel is in the expensive area and easy walking distance to everything it was very reasonably priced. While in Paris I also recommend Chateau MalMaison which was the house Josephine Bonaparte purchased while married to Napoleon Bonaparte, it%26#39;s just a few miles outside of Paris.
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Contrary to what some posters like to suggest, I recommend that for anyone staying 3 or more days in the Loire Valley, the only logical choice is to stay in Tours, particularly if you are ultimately unable to rent a car. I am a long time customer of Autoeurope (www.autoeurope.com) but I think the age limitations are the same for all rental companies. I believe you can get around the age limitation if you lease a car but these agreements are usually for 17 days or longer.
I have read on the forum that Tours is a %26quot;BIG%26quot; city and that traffic is difficult. While the metropolitan area is certainly larger, the city of Tours contains approximately 130,000 habitants and all museums, restaurants, nightlife, shopping, and musical venues are available within safe and easy walking distance from a good selection of hotels. I recommend Hotel du Manoir with free parking.
Tours is also a good central location; you can split your time visiting Chenonceaux, Chambord, Blois, Amboise (Le Clos Lucee) to the east and Azay le Rideau, etc. to the west. If there is traffic, enjoy le petit dejeuner and wait for it to subside or stop somewhere on the way home for an aperitif (but just one as explained below). Take a day in between and just relax in town (even the most avid admirer of chateaux may reach cultural saturation after several days of visiting historical locations).
I take a vacation to relax, and changing hotels every few days is too much work and stress. If you do chose a hotel/restaurant out of town, I recommend you eat all of your meals where driving is not required if you, like the French, want to appreciate a fine bottle of wine while dinning. The French are very serious about drinking and driving and unlike the US; you may be stopped anytime, anywhere and given a breathalyzer test. Control points are setup even at remote locations late at night. Blood alcohol levels above .05 will result in arrest. Two people sharing a bottle of wine with dinner can possibly exceed this limit. For this reason, I recommend staying where good restaurants are within walking distance; another important reason Tours is an excellent choice. Also if you enjoy night life, don’t miss Place Plumereau in old Tours.
If you are ultimately unable to rent a car, there are many touring possibilities by bus. Contact the Tours Tourist Office for this and a lot more additional information:
http://www.ligeris.com/
Good Luck
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Can you please report how your trip went?
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On our first trip to France we stumbled upon the Manoir Bel Air in a very small village, Saint Dye sur Loire, on the left bank of the Loire about 18-20 miles east of Blois. The Manoir is right on the Loire and only about 8 miles from Chambord Chateau. You absolutely will need a car as I don%26#39;t believe there is any form of public transportation serving this village. We were the only English speakers there but the owners, especially Monsieur Abel, did his best to assist (he understands English much better than he lets on) and has a very good restaurant on site.
We highly recommend this place and have had friends stay there. We are returning in June ourselves.
As to which chateau to visit, I think it has a lot to do with whether you are more interested in the history, the architecture, or what. As to beauty and architecture I hardily recommend Chenonceaux and Azay-le-Rideau. For shear size, its has to be Chambord. For furnishings, Villandry or Cour-Cheverney. Also, further west is Brissac.
Whatever yo do, try to speak some French; it really helps. Monsiuer Abel, for example, broke out a bottle of his bast wine and shared it with me and a friend of his who spoke very heavily accented French and acted as translator. (My wife was upset when she came looking for me an hour into the wine.) But I know that the attempt at French made a difference.
Whatever you do you will love both Paris and the Loire.
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