THE LOIRE - France 2014 - page 600

the fouées in his rustic oven (daily for lunch and dinner, 12 Rue Voltaire, tel. [phone]
63).
La Part des Anges isanintimatelittleplaceonatraffic-freestreet.You'llappreciate
itskind,youngownersandfinecuisineatfairprices( menus from€20,goodlunchoptions,
limited outdoor seating, daily, 5 Rue Rabelais, tel. [phone]).
La Bonne France is sweet and simple, with homey seating indoors or in its quaint
front yard. The chef, who likes his sauces, provides a fair budget menu (€16 for two
courses, €20 for three, €26 for four, closed Wed, 4 Place de la Victoire, tel. [phone]
34).
Near Chinon: For a memorable countryside meal, drive 25 minutes to Etape Gour-
mande at Domaine de la Giraudière, in Villandry (see here ). A trip here combines well
with visits to Villandry and Azay-le-Rideau.
Chinon Connections
By Minivan
From Chinon to Loire Châteaux: Acco-Dispo, Loire Valley Tours, and Quart de Tours
offer fixed-itinerary minivan excursions from Tours (see “Amboise Connections,” here ) .
Take the train to Tours from Chinon (see below), or get several travelers together to book
your own van from Chinon.
By Train
Twelve trains and SNCF buses link Chinon daily with the city of Tours (1 hour, connec-
tions to other châteaux and minibus excursions from Tours) and to the regional rail hub of
St-Pierre-des-Corps in suburban Tours (TGV trains to distant destinations, and the fastest
way to Paris). Traveling by train to the nearby châteaux (except for Azay-le-Rideau) re-
quires atransfer inToursandhealthy walks fromthestations tothechâteaux. Fewer trains
run on weekends.
From Chinon to Loire Châteaux: Azay-le-Rideau (7/day, 20 minutes direct, plus
long walk to château), Langeais (5/day, 2 hours, transfer in Tours), Amboise (12/day,
1.5-2.5 hours, transfer in Tours), Chenonceaux (8/day, 1.5 hours, transfer in Tours), Blois
(6/day, 2-2.5 hours, transfer in Tours and possibly in St-Pierre-des-Corps).
To Destinations Beyond the Loire: Paris' Gare Montparnasse (9/day, 2-2.5 hours,
transfer in Tours and sometimes also St-Pierre-des-Corps), Sarlat (5/day, 6 hours, change
at St-Pierre-des-Corps, then TGV to Libourne or Bordeaux-St. Jean, then train through
Bordeaux vineyards to Sarlat), Pontorson/Mont St-Michel (3/day, 6 hours with change