THE LOIRE - France 2014 - page 539

By Car: Driverssettheirsightsontheflag-festoonedchâteauthatcapsthehill.Most
recommended accommodations and restaurants either have or can help you locate parking
(it's free in the big lot along the river).
Helpful Hints
Save Time and Money: The TI sells tickets in bundles of two or more to sights and
châteaux around Amboise and Chinon, which saves you some on entry fees—and,
more important, time spent in line at each sight. You can also get discounted tickets if
you take a minivan tour (see “Getting Around the Loire Valley” on here ) .
Market Days: Open-air markets are held on Friday (smaller but more local; food only)
and Sunday (the big one) in the parking lot behind the TI on the river (both
8:30-13:00).
Regional Products: Galland, at29RueNationale,sellsfinefoodandwineproductsfrom
the Loire (daily 9:30-19:00).
Supermarket: Carrefour City is near the TI (Mon-Sat 7:00-21:00, Sun 9:00-13:00),
though the shops on pedestrian-only Rue Nationale are infinitely more pleasing.
Internet Access: The TI allows 10 minutes of free Wi-Fi and has a public computer ter-
minal; they can also tell you where to find Wi-Fi elsewhere, such as Café des Arts,
across from the château's Heurtault Tower (32 Rue Victor Hugo).
Bookstore: Maison de la Presse is a good bookstore with a small selection of English
novels and a big selection of maps and English guidebooks such as Michelin's Green
Guide Châteaux of the Loire; they also sell English translations of bike-route books
(open Mon 14:00-19:00, Tue-Sat 8:00-19:00, Sun 9:00-13:00, across from the TI at 5
Quai du Général de Gaulle).
Laundry: The nearest launderette is at Supermarket LeClerc, a half-mile from the TI to-
ward Tours on D-751.
Baggage Storage: Besides the Amboise TI, which stores bags for a fee (see earlier), most
châteaux offer free storage if you've paid admission.
Bike Rental: You can rent a bike (leave your passport or a photocopy) at any of these
reliable places: Détours de Loire (allows one-way trips to any of its partner shops,
in round building across from TI on Quai du Général de Gaulle, tel. [phone]
55), Locacycle (daily, full-day rentals can be returned the next morning, 2 Rue Jean-
Jacques Rousseau, tel. [phone]), or Cycles le Duc (good bikes, closed Sun-
Mon, 5 Rue Joyeuse, tel. [phone]).