Sightseeing in the Loire Valley

[Yellow Peril]

Heading for europe in the summer via calais and intend riding up the Loire Valley, anyone got any must "see" sights or any particular route that should be taken?

 

[(RIP) Sugar Ray]

The Chateau at Chenonceaux is pretty spectacular, but you'll spend a good couple of hours just wandering about.

Charles

 

[Dibbles]

There are caves/ tunnels at a place called Montrichard, worth a visit. This is where they dug up some of the rocks to build the chateau's.

Keep an eye out for the houses built into the sides of the hills, they have a name for them but I can't spell it. There are some near Tours.

 

[Lord Snooty]

The Loire valley covers a large area but if you anywhere near the estuary then visit Guerande which is north of the estuary. It is a moated medieaval walled city - you can park a bike right in front of the cathedral. There are also some marshland in the area which is worth a visit and a guided boat tour. You will also find that there are several ancient prehistoric monuments scattered around - I think they are called Dolmus.

 

[Banjaxed]

Loads to see.

Everyone does the chateaux - and you should too! A few of my favourites include:
Chambord - absolutely stunning
Azay-le-Rideau - very neat and pretty
Villandry - unbelievable gardens (and I hate gardens...)
And finally - Usse - the original 'Sleeping Beauty' chateau

There's loads more to see - try here.

 

[Gaulois]

Also Blois, Chinon and Angers.
I agree about the Guerande peninsula - The salt pans are usually spectacular in July/Aug.
Troglodyte homes near Tours and Saumur as well as the mushroom museum somewhere west of Saumur.

 

[Paul Rochdale]

Saumur is a good base from which to tour the Loire. There's also an attractive floodlit chateau overlooking the town. There's a campsite on a small island in the river which I've stayed at but on my last visit, they didn't seem to keen on private tents claiming they were full up. There were lots of Eurocamp tents and caravans there. Nearby metal railway bridge was pretty noisey with trains running all night. Don't forget swimming shorts are not permitted in French swimming pools and trunks must be worn. It's to do with hygene as shorts can be worn during the day.

 

[yamonda1]

Don't miss the house in Amboise where Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years until his death. There's an exhibition of some his most famous mechanical inventions too, what a guy

 

[cookieboy]

the . Don't forget swimming shorts are not permitted in French swimming pools and trunks must be worn. It's to do with hygene as shorts can be worn during the day.

stayed in the same place in july. it was`42C and headed straight for the pool only to be told "Not with those on" had to watch from the bar

 

[Yellow Peril]

Thanks guys that will give us some ideas to work with

 

[Vendome 41]

Somewhere to stay

www.la-borde.com

 

[Timbo]

The Loire valley is lovely. Went and saw the famous chateau listed earlier and then came upon the Chateau de Bleze. Amazing place with loads of tunnels you can explore. it turned out to the best of the lot in my opinion.

http://www.chateaudebreze.com

See photos below