If you had to choose between the Somme and Loire Valley...

We have three and a half days to see these 2 areas and then we are heading to Paris for a week where we have an apartment booked. We will have a car but dropping it off once we get to Paris.

I%26#39;m thinking we might be better to just do one area rather than trying to squeeze in both but which one?

I know it is possible to do a day trip to Amiens once we are in Paris for a WW1 battlefield tour (our main reason for seeing the Somme) but the Somme area also looks very beautiful. I am worried we will regret not staying longer in the Somme area.

Any suggestions. Please share your thoughts. I%26#39;m a big fan of TA. It is a blessing!

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We stayed in Azay-Le-Rideau near the Loire which is south west of Tours about 5 years ago. We had 4 nights in October and found plenty to do. There are very many Chateaux along the banks of the Loire and it%26#39;s tributaries east and west of Tours. If you are interested in Chateaux, Michelin do a series of books called %26quot;The Green Guide%26quot; and there is a very good one %26quot;Chateaux of the Loire%26quot;. The scenery in the area is very picturesque with meandering streams and rivers with Troglydite caves along it%26#39;s river valleys.

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I would have to say the Loire for interesting countryside and things to see, if aim to fill 3 days. The landscape to the north of Paris is flat, and therefore somewhat uninteresting, for touring by car.

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Thanks for that. So where would be a good place to base ourselves in the Loire Valley? I have been looking at Blois but I am wondering if it is a little too quiet at night from the point of view of restaurants and entertainment. Any ideas?

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I am from the Somme (although, having no car, i have never toured the WWI cemeteries), and i wouldn%26#39;t choose the Somme over the Loire Valley. I don%26#39;t think you will regret spending more time in the Loire Valley. The Somme is very flat, so i just say do the day tour, visit the Cathedral in Amiens (and if you can, the quartier St Leu to the left of the cathedral)

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If you have decided on the Loire and you think Blois will be too quiet for you, Tours is the place to be. I suggest you post further questions on the Loire forum for more local knowledge.

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Blois would be an excellent choice as your base on the Loire Valley.

There is always something going on in the evenings , especially in the summer months, and there are many very nice restaurants within the city center.

Within 30 mins of Blois you have many of the more famous Chateau, including Blois, Chenonceau and Chambord.

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