2 weeks in the Loire Valley - advice please
Would anyone be kind enough to give me some advice on 2 weeks in a motorhome in the Loire Valley. We are 'abroad virgins' - we're quite new to the motorhome game and have never taken our van abroad. Points to bear in mind:
We presume the best way across the channel is Dover-Calais. We live in Essex.
We don't want a busy, child-friendly site. Ideally small but more importantly clean, well-run and picturesque with walking from or near the site.
We have a dog.
We're going September-October so sites etc need to be open then.
Any advice on sites, travelling, etc very welcome.
Thanks
Tony Coppin
Comments
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In a motorhome the best way across the channel is by the chunnel. Lie down in the back for half an hour rather than shuffling around a ship. The Loire is doable in a day.
http://en.flowercampings.com/campsite-loire-valley-central-france/camping-l-ile-d-offard
Saumur is a lovely town and the campsite is within strolling distance.
Job done
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Tony, the River Loire is 500 miles long so you aren't going to see all of it in a fortnight, so start with a general guide book like the DK Eyewitness guide or the Rough Guide and decide where you want to be, and what you want to see and do before you start picking campsites.
Camdoon is right - you can get down there in a day from Calais, though you might want to see places like Rouen and Le Mans on the way.
Enjoy your planning.
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Equip yourself with Camping Cheques and/or ACSI card for discounts. Near Saumur is Monsoreau, Camping Isle Vert less crowded than Ile d'Offard and very friendly.
Look at the area Amboise to Blois, stuffed full of chateaux and lovely campsites.
If you are not time pressed then do stopover at somewhere like Bec Hellouin (just south of Rouen) and wander round the marvellous Normandy villages.
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have a look at camping de la touche,ligueil near loches.lovely walk to the village about mile through fishing lakes and a park.very clean and quite lovely folk who run it.loches is a beutiful little town about 12miles away.amboise and other magor towns all
about20/40 miles.look at touche website maybe just what you are looking for.we go back jly fot 3weeks.cant wait.0 -
Amboise is a lovely town, with an fantastic market. Saumur is well worth a visit, if only to stock up on Verve Amiot! The chateau at Sully sur Loire is interesting and the amazing Pont Canal at Briare has to be seen. Especially when you see a boat load
of Aussies tourists floating over on the day after Stuart Broad had demolished their cricket team!0 -
Les Sabots at Azay le Rideau is a lovely campsite situated on a river and within easy reach of one of the most beautiful chateaux in France. We love it there and have very happy memories of several stays. a visit to Villandry is a must if you can fit it
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We have been to loire last few years done lot of the château but not villandry.it's on our to go to list in 10 weeks.
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We enjoyed a stay at La Grande Tortue at Cande-sur-Beuvron (using Camping Cheques) last September (but closed 18th Sept onward)
Very close to the River and you can walk or cycle miles alongside. Nearest chateau is Chaumont.
Also worth getting ACSI book and card for discount out of season,
john
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Hi previously caravan but switched to motorhome this year. Now touring France for 5 weeks. We are now in Sarlat but came here from Loire. Had a few nights at Saumur site very pleasant and quiet easy walk along river to town and Chateau. Moved on to site
at Loches La Citadelle even shorter walk into town good market Wednesday and Saturday. Distance between 2 sites 60 miles Villandry garden excellent and good half way stopping point with good roadside parking for motorhomes but also had Motorhome parking area
in village. Last year stayed at Le Moulin Fort Chisseaux easy walk to Chenonceaux Chateau but not much else walkable so good to use for visit to the Chateaux. Enjoy0
