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Original poster

Has anyone been to the Loire Valley?

51 replies

nkf · 26/05/2009 20:11

I have a hankering to see the chateaux. Am reading very enjoyable book about the period of their construction. Are they worth the trip. And has anyoen ever camped there?

with thanks in advance.

OP posts:
MaryMotherOfCheeses · 04/06/2009 23:09

Mine chateau?

MinI chateau.

Sorry.

Lucycat · 05/06/2009 08:18

I agree about some of the Loire being a bit dull in terms of spectacular landscape. We stayed near Saumur where it is still dramatic enough to warrant the odd 'wow' look at that' but then again i love all rivers so I'm biased
We stayed at Chantepie with fabulous views across the Loire valley. We'd be going again but we want more sun so we're braving the Dordogne this year.

and it's infinitely more interesting than the pine forests of the Vendee.

Lucycat · 05/06/2009 08:20

oh yes villandry is gorgeous - dh loved the huge fish in the moats!

MrsMuddle · 05/06/2009 08:49

BigTillyMint, we're also going to fierbois this year. When are you going?

gill89, is the local restaurant within walking distance?

Ooh, excited now!

littlejacksmum · 05/06/2009 08:56

we went to the loire valley a couple years ago, fantastic. the chateaux def is worth it. stayed at Blois camping la Grenouillere

lisalisa · 09/06/2009 13:09

Ooh I have OP - I've been to Chatueax le marais in chambord, loire valley. the area and th ecampsite were absolutely beautiful. One of hte best holidays I've had i would say.

Lucycat · 09/06/2009 16:44

lisalisa - can you recommend Marais then? we are staying there for 8 days this summer after the Dordogne - and boy is it pricey but we're hoping it's worth it.

GrapefruitMoon · 09/06/2009 16:53

I stayed there last summer Lucycat and yes would recommend it. Main downside for me is the climate - not far south enough to guarantee better weather than the UK. But if you have been to the dordogne first you should have seen some sunshine there!

And re the Vendee - I found the countryside in the northern part much more scenic - not dramatic but lush countryside with rolling hills.

CherryChoc · 09/06/2009 16:59

I went to Saumur on French exchange when I was at school. We went to Futuroscope and I remember it being 50/50 - a bit naff, but some of the rides were good. This would have been a few years ago though.

lisalisa · 10/06/2009 11:20

Yes I can recommend it lucycat - was ab fab and we had great weather too. Didn't find it all pricey - we had a deal of 4 nights eurocamp plus ferry for under £300 - twas school holiday may 2009. I thought that was a good deal - toll roads and petrol killed us though!

Lucycat · 11/06/2009 16:07

Can't wait now - 6 weeks today we'll be travelling down France and with any luck approaching the Dordogne site!

roll on the summer (proper)

lisalisa · 11/06/2009 23:20

Great Lucycat - you'll enjoy it wasn't chateau les marais great?

bigTillyMint · 12/06/2009 11:00

Mrs Muddle - I think we are going to Fierbois Aug 3rd to 10th. When are you going?

I see you have teenagers - are you taking bikes? We have done a bit of cycling in the Loire - it's good for that. There's also kayaking at many sites.

MrsMuddle · 12/06/2009 16:08

We're going 2 July for a fortnight. I think we will take bikes. We hired them in the Vendee last year, but could probably have bought new bikes for the amount we spent on hiring!

Can't come soon enough for me.

duchesse · 12/06/2009 16:18

We went to one near Saumur a couple of years ago- it was very nice. Shall try to find details again.

duchesse · 12/06/2009 16:19

Am pretty certain this is the one.

duchesse · 12/06/2009 16:21

No, it was this one actually.

duchesse · 12/06/2009 16:22

No, it was this one actually.

Lucycat · 12/06/2009 17:48

We went there last summer duchesse!

We had to go down to L'Eclerc to buy an extension for our ehu as the 20 metres we had wasn't long enough! Boy that tested my French

It was a lovely holiday though.

bigTillyMint · 12/06/2009 19:15

Mrs M, you can get cycle guides (free!) from tourist offices, etc, which show the routes. They are also well sign-posted.

duchesse · 12/06/2009 22:37

Which one, Lucy- Chantepie? We only stayed there 2 nights on our way south, but it seemed very nice. It has a shop and cafe and laundry as far as I remember.

Claire2301 · 12/06/2009 22:45

If you are anywhere near Saumur/Angers there is a place called "Kangarou Jardin" that's good fun and pretty cheap too (?4 entry when I went)

Also nice park in St Barthelemy near Angers. Park is called Parc de Pignerolles. (Or something very similar!!)

gill89 · 13/06/2009 11:11

MrsMuddle' yes the restaurant is walking distance ... about 10 mins into the village.
the village only had a general store, a bkery and the restaurant, L;Auberge

we are going to the dordogne this yaer after having fab weather last year, so it is nice to read on here that you can expect nice weather if you go thst far south

MrsMuddle · 13/06/2009 14:53

Thanks fof the info, ladies. Hope you all have a good holiday this year too.

Cloudspotter · 20/06/2009 07:46

Yes. Can highly recommend the municipal campsite at Azay Le Rideau. It is within stone throwing distance from the chateau there, and is a gorgeous little site.

Not big like your haven holidays type of campsite, but right on the river, idyllic.

The town itself is picturesque and medieval, with plenty to do, and the chateau does a son et lumiere in summer.

All in all a good stop for a few days - would probably move on after about 3-4 days.

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