Having planned a trip to France at the last minute, this forum was a great source of info for the Loire.
We spent 5 days there mid October, and had a wonderful time. The chateaux were the highlight: Chenonceau, Azzay le Rideau Chambord. Spend the extra money for the ipod tour at Chenonceau- it was fantastic. Take the time to walk around the lovely little town of Azzay le Rideau once you have done the Chateau. With the good weather, we rented bikes at Chambord and cycled around the chateau for an hour - EUR 12 for us both. Was good fun and you get amazing views of Chambord from the park. Along the drive between Amboise and Chambord do not miss the view of Chateau Chamont sur Loire - absolutely stunning!!! Sadly we did not have time to visit but I will never forget that view!
We drove through a bit of Tours en route to Chenonceau, but it was too busy a town traffic wise for me to want to return. We spent a morning walking in Loches which was much easier to get around - we had no trouble parking at the railway station. We far preferred the smaller towns and villages, particularly our walk around Montresor and our visit to the wine cellars at Monmousseau in Montrichard.
We stayed just outside Amboise and also in Chenonceau. Loved Chenonceau and wouldn%26#39;t hesitate to return there. La Roserie was a lovely old hotel, filled with character and nothing was too much trouble. Excellent value for money. Best meals were at La Roserie and at Auberge de Launay in Limeray - very good indeed! We decided to do a picnic lunch one day and the quiche lorraine from the boulangerie in Chenonceau were amazing!
Because we didn%26#39;t have much time beforehand to research, we were at a loss as to what vineyards to stop at. In the end we stopped at the following sites and purchased a great deal of table wine! Prices were between EUR5-7 per bottle.
Vins de Chinon (Jean-Francoise Delalay). Small cellar. Very french. Nice Reds.
Domaine du Villier (just outside Chinon). Very friendly, lovely dry Rose.
Les Caves Monmousseau (just outside Montrichard). Wonderful sparkling white (sec) and the best Rose I have ever had!
Overall a great trip. The toll roads were expensive but the roads fast! Where were all the cars?? Although the the scenery is beautiful from the smaller roads, the traffic - especially that of lorries - is plentiful. We took the slow way back to Boulogne, stopping off at Vendome. We decided against greater Paris, instead travelling north from Beynes to Beauvais via Maygny en Vixen before joining the A16. Some of the towns were just lovely with wonderful countryside.
Wish we were still there!
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