My wife and 2 children will be visiting Paris in Summer. We generally prefer not to take group tours( one of my children has ocassional axiety when in car with groups and it is easy to just stop car and let her stretch when we are in a private car/minivan) . We would like to go to Loire(a day trip)...visit 3 or so of the main castles. My options are probably to take the train to the general Loire area and hire a tour company car or minivan that provides private group tours or rent a car in Paris and drive ourselves to Loire.
Is the driving from Paris to Loire difficult(i.e erratic drivers as compared to U.S., difficult to manuver roads, etc.)? Would you recommend driving?
Or does anyone know of a tour company that could pick us up at train station and provide a private tour?
Any info is greatly appreciated.
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I%26#39;ve always found driving in France much easier than driving in the U.S. The roads/signage are superior, so you can find your way even if you%26#39;ve never been to a given destination previously.
The driving through the Loire is especially easy and, it%26#39;s a lovely drive. Your only issue might be traffic congestion as you approach Paris, which could slow you down.
I%26#39;d recommend you drive, esp. given your child%26#39;s anxiety issues.
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You could take a train from Paris Gare Montparnasse to St Pierre des Corps [outside of Tours] and rent a car there. Suggest Autoeurope, the 800 number, for the car.
If driving out of Paris, I suggest Europcar on the Avenue d%26#39;Italie, a straight shot to the highway. However the train/car option is faster and easier.
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I would agree that it is better to hire a car instead of going on a tour.
Although driving in the Loire Valley is no problem, getting out of and into the centre of Paris may be more stressful for a visitor.
One option would be to take the TGV from Paris Montparnasse station to St Pierre des Corps station on the outskirts of Tours, and hire a car for the day at the station. The train journey time is 55 minutes. Having picked up the car, it is about 20 minutes to Amboise, about 35 minutes to Chenonceaux, 40 minutes to Villandray, 45 minutes to Azay le Rideau. The furthest of the main chateaux is Chambord, which is 65 minutes.
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I have to echo Sunlover - driving in the Loire is really very simple - just make absolutely sure to have the Michelin %26quot;Centre%26quot; map.
Did the same trip last October, took the train from Montparnasse to St. Pierre des Corps, picked up our rental car from Autoeurope (conveniently 50 feet to the right as you exit the station) and drove to Amboise.
Drivers in Europe are far better drivers than here in the U.S.
My only caution would be that you are talking about the Loire as a day trip. That%26#39;s not such a good idea - this thread came up about a week ago and I was able to show it is actually less expensive to stay overnight in the Loire than it is to take a day trip from Paris. I also think the Loire is too much to try and %26quot;do%26quot; in a day.
I would suggest it is the %26quot;minimum%26quot; of an overnight stay unless you take the bus tour from Paris. Also, 3 Chateaux in one day is a LOT! Can it be done? Yes, would I recommend it? No.
Take the train to the St. Pierre des Corps - it%26#39;s faster than driving from Paris, pick you car up there. Definitely go and see the Loire, after 3-4 days in Paris it is wonderful to get out and really experience the French countryside. It%26#39;s a refreshing change of pace........
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