Whereto stay in the Loire Valley

ob1
ob1 Forum Participant Posts: 50

My wife and I are thinking of going to the Loire valley for two weeks in July we have not been to this area before, I am looking for suggestions of where to stay and suitable sites. We are both in our late fiftys and are not really seaside people. We like
a site within walking distance of a reasonable size town so we can go for a meal in the evening and not have to worry about driving. I would welcome any suggestions. Thank you.

Comments

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,831 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #2

    The river Loire and it's valley is 1000 km long.

    There are attractive campsites all along its length, but for a two week visit you will have to decide which places/ towns/ chateaux /gardens you want to see. The Eyewitness travel guide is a good starting point. Choosing campsites can come later. Enjoy your planning.

  • ob1
    ob1 Forum Participant Posts: 50
    edited January 2016 #3

    Thanks I have just found one on ebay and orded it but I always welcome suggestions from people who have been there and know the area well I don't think you can beat first hand knowledge. We went to some lovely places in Germany last year that were recommened
    by people on this forum.

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004 ✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #4

    I don't know what sort of sites you like, but I imagine you don't want a full on site with pools and slides etc., so you might like the municipal site at Azay Le Rideau -

    Camping Sabot (reviews here)
    .  Google images of the village
    here
    .

    It's on the Indre river, a tributary of the Loire, but in the area between Tours and Saumur which most people choose.

    It's an inexpensive site at around 16 euros for two people even in high season.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,831 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #5

    And for a campsite,  a decent middle of the road, middle stretch of the river, mid range price site within walking range of dinner and drinks is Camping Le Sabot at Azay Le Rideau. But there are so many! Good luck with it. 

    Edit.. you still type quicker than I do, Val Smile

  • TheAdmiral
    TheAdmiral Forum Participant Posts: 506
    edited January 2016 #6

    Municipal @ Blere

    Admiral

  • ob1
    ob1 Forum Participant Posts: 50
    edited January 2016 #7

    Thnks for that I will check them out. You are right Val we don't want a site full of pools or children really. Wemay not stay on one site for the full two weeks we like to move around a bit to get more in.

  • kenexton
    kenexton Forum Participant Posts: 306
    edited January 2016 #8

    There are many good sites in the "Golden Triangle" :Chinon,Amboise and Loches Come t mind.We used to stay off the edge at L'Ille Bouchard,Bords de la Vienne for several years and there is another pleasant site at  Chemille near Montresor,Les Coteaux du Lac
    and there is a Voie Verte close to the site for easy biking.The two latter mentioned are quieter " base" sites the first three towns all have bigger sites from which you can stroll into larger towns.There is also the Ille d'Offard in Saumur-depends what you
    want really.Hope this helps,Ken.

  • InaD
    InaD Club Member Posts: 1,701 ✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #9

    One site which I was going to mention has also been mentioned by kenexton above:
    Camping de L'Ile Auger in Chinon.  Although it's not on the river Loire, it's on the river Vienne, and in a lovely position.  It's not an all-singing, all-dancing site, but it's in a very nice
    position opposite the
    Fortress of Chinon
    .  Some pitches have a wonderful view of it; it's easy walking distance into the town, which has plenty of cafes, restaurants, shops etc.  Would recommend going to the Fortress, if only for the lovely views from the top.

    Along the Loire we have stayed at several sites, to name a few:
    La Maltournee at Chateauneuf-sur-Loire
    ,
    Camping Touristique de Gien
    , Camping Le Martinet at Briare (website link doesn't appear to be working),
    Camping Le Jardin de Sully
    and Camping Municipal at Chatillon-sur-Loire.

    All the above sites are withing walking distance of the local town/village and on the river Loire.  There are quite a few more, but these are the ones I can remember staying at off the top of my head for now!

     

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,874 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #10

    Here are a few that we have stayed at:-

    http://www.davidklyne.co.uk/camping_ile_de_offard.htm

    http://www.davidklyne.co.uk/camping_lisle_Verte.html

    http://www.davidklyne.co.uk/camping_municipal_de_l.html

    We have also stayed at a few that are on the tributaries of the Loire and you can check those out here 

    David

  • iansoady
    iansoady Club Member Posts: 419 ✭✭✭
    edited January 2016 #11

    We've used the municipal at Amboise that David mentioned and really liked it. Close to boulangeries etc and with a good range of restaurants in the town.

  • ShropshireBob
    ShropshireBob Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited January 2016 #12

    I can recommend Camping Chantepie.located just outside Saumur above the River Loire.We stayed there for 3 nights on our way South in 2013 and have booked a return visit as part of our French holiday in 2016.