Sights of France: Loire Valley?

[katiekate]

I'm a history major, so I'm really interested in the chateaux of the Loire Valley. I've been looking at tours, but I can't seem to find any cheap backpacker-type tours. The cheapest I can find is $300 for a day!

If such a tour doesn't exist, what specific places should I go to? Is public transportation readily available? (its in the countryside, no?) I'm not quite sure how to approach this... Its easier when its a big city! I was thinking of spending 2-3 days there. I'm spending ten days in France all together. One week in Paris with side biking tours of Versailles and Giverny. Then I've got 3-4 days for Normandy (D-Day beaches!) and the Loire Valley. Since I've had mixed opinions about the French Riviera, I decided to ditch it!

Thanks.

[katiekate]

haha i was just thinking i like old stuff. (castles!) nothing huge happened there, but local history is good too

[madamtrashheap]

I beg to differ that "nothing major" occured in the Loire Valley historically speaking - Nantes is a town in the region and the Edict of Nantes is considered just a bit important in French history. And Orléans, another town in the region, has a little story about Joan of Arc that might be considered important too!

However, if it's castles, scenery and wine you're looking for as a break from history, then the Loire is a good start. As you've already found katiekate, there are quite a number of chateaux dotted around the valley, some more famous than others, and some are located in towns (Blois, Amboise, eg) whilst others are futher out in the countryside.

Which ones had you looked at visiting? My favourite is Chateau Chambord (near Blois, south of Orléans) for its appearance, location, staircase and connection to the Renaissance, but it's not for everyone. There are trains and/or busses that service routes to many of the chateaux if you can't find a tour that's in your budget, but you'd be limited to one or two (maximum) chateaux in a day trip from Paris if you relied on public transport. For example, you could travel by train from Paris to Orléans then train to Blois and visit the castle there (Chateau de Blois) before continuing to Chambord by Public Bus (about 20mins to the chateau). Or you could go by train from Orléans to Amboise, see the chateau there and also visit another popular and beautiful chateau nearby called Chateau Chenonceau (not sure if there is a bus service) but you may find that access is easier from Tours by train to Chenonceax.

Many visitors cycle around the region if you feel like another bike tour, but you'd have to spend a night in Orleans, Blois, etc (there are budget accom. places in each) in order to make it worthwhile. From what I know, most day tours from Paris to the Loire (with 3 castles included) start at around Euro150 (and should include entrance prices to chateaux and lunch) so I don't think you'll get one much cheaper than that.

So are you saying you've allowed 3-4 days total for visiting both Normandy and the Loire? Or 3-4 days in each region? That will determine whether or not you can do a day trip from Paris to the Loire or spend a night there somewhere.

[googleygoo]

In 2005 I stayed in Tours for two nights and visited Chenonceau by train. The audioguides that they rented out were iPods!! I didn't get one, but I thought that was interesting. There was a tourist office in Tours that was pretty helpful. I remember the office had brochures about guided tours and places where you could rent bikes. If you have a few days to spend in the region, it might be easier to make plans when you actually get there.