Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Remember to allow time to visit Amboise. With a second full day, move to Chinon, visit-
ing Villandry and Langeais en route, then devote your afternoon to Chinon.
Try to see one château on your drive in (for example, if arriving from the north, visit
Chambord, Cheverny, or Blois; if coming from the west or the south, see Azay-le-Rideau,
Chinon, Langeais, or Villandry). If you're coming from Burgundy, don't miss the one-of-
a-kind Château de Guédelon (see here in the Burgundy chapter). If you're driving to the
Dordogne from the Loire, the A-20 autoroute via Limoges (near Oradour-sur-Glane) is
fastest and toll-free until Brive-la-Gaillarde.
The best map of the area is Michelin #518, covering all the sights described in this
chapter (the TI's free map of Touraine, the area surrounding Tours, is also good).
Without a Car and on a Budget: Sleep in Amboise (or Blois; see next page). The
next morning, rent a bike or catch the public bus, shuttle van (high season only), or train
from Amboise to the town of Chenonceaux, tour Chenonceau (the château), then return to
AmboiseintheafternoontoenjoyitschâteauandLeonardo'slaststandatClos-Lucé.With
a second day, take the short (and cheap) train ride to Blois, tour its castle and old town,
and take a shuttle bus (runs April-early Sept) to Chambord, Cheverny, or Chaumont. (For
moretrainandbusspecifics,see“AmboiseConnections”on here and“BloisConnections”
on here . ) Those connecting Paris with Amboise or Chinon can layover in Blois en route
(baggage check available at château with paid admission).
Fit budget travelers based in Chinon can bike to Langeais, Ussé, and Villandry, and/
or take the train to Azay-le-Rideau and Langeais (but keep in mind that the train trips are
long and not a good option for most).
Without a Car but Not Broke (Yet): Take a minivan excursion directly from Am-
boise or Tours (described in the next section).
Getting Around the Loire Valley
Traveling by car is the easiest way to get around, and day rentals are reasonable. Trains,
buses, minivan tours, bikes, or taxis help nondrivers reach the well-known châteaux. But
even the less-famous châteaux are reachable without a car: Take a taxi, arrange a custom
minivanexcursion(affordableforsmallgroups),orrideabike(greatoptionforthosewith
time and stamina).
By Car
You can rent a car most easily at the St-Pierre-des-Corps TGV station just outside Tours;
rentalsarealsoavailableinAmboise(see here ) .I'velistedspecificdrivinginstructionsfor
each destination covered in this chapter. Parking is free at all châteaux except Chambord.
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