We are off to the Loire valley in France this Friday for a couple of weeks. Any personal recommendations for places to visit or stop overs?

We spent a week around Truquant and Samuer on the way home the back end of last year.

https://forums.motorhomefacts.com/13...58-saumur.html

There are a few good aires along that stretch. We liked that one as the field just beyond the aire was a good size and plenty of space.

Enjoyed the wine tasting in Samuer as well.

We're also off to France this Friday but not sure where we're heading yet. We'll probably come back, towards the end of September, via the Loire valley, hopefully calling in at Vouvray for some sparkling wine. Perhaps you could tell us what sort of things you like and want to do. For instance, a place we've visited more than once is the Garden Festival at Chaumont.

https://www.experienceloire.com/chau...n-festival.htm

...but that might not be your cup of tea at all.

My first visit to the Loire valley was staying in a gite at Montrichard. It's not a major tourist town, which we liked, and we've since stayed in the motorhome on the beautiful but run down municipal campsite on the banks of the Cher, which I think is now one of those expensive aires. There is a train station close by from which you can travel into Tours, and of course other towns. Chenonceau, with it's lovely château and free aire is also close by.

You might be into entirely different things, so let us know.


Chris

Thee is a really nice municipal site at Chaumont Sur Loire (about an hour West of Blois) Huge grass site, plenty of shade if you want it, no marked out pitches, loads of room and it’s a few minutes walk into the village and the delightful Chateau.
It’s one of the few locations where there is a bridge over the river. Just the other side to the campsite there is a cafe at the Gare, they do a really good value delicious lunchtime menu! And it’s walking distance.
This site is a “must do” for us if we are in the area. Brilliant Cave just down the road at Rilly. I could go on but I am sure you get the idea.
If lucky you will see hot air balloons, they launch just downstream (west of) fthe bridge on the opposite (north) bank early morning or evening time (they are EXPENSIVE, I’ve looked!)
Google earth will show you the area. (Campsite is JUST east of the bridge on the south.


Andy

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Many thanks for the suggestions. Our trips usually are a mix of sightseeing, pretty quaint villages and towns, visiting the odd castle or chateau and relaxing the French way.

Another vote for Saumur - a local vineyard owner turned up at the Aire for a free wine tasting....

I trust he brought his own?

LOL - Yes, we bought enough to last the weekend (just). If i recall the Aire is a short cycle into town.

If you like a winery visit, I recommend Langlois-Chateau in Saumur www.langlois-chateau.fr/en/home/. They do a really good tour, with a comprehensive tasting, only E5 per person (in 2017) which is refundable against a purchase. Their Cremants de Loire, a MCC equivalent, is really good, as are all their wines in fact. Not supermarket prices obviously but a good opportunity to buy something special. Pre-booking essential.


It's not a chateau - Mr Langlois teamed up with a Miss Chateau.

The Veuve Amiot cellars tour is good as well and its free! Some of their top end fizz is fantastic. They didnt hold back on the tasting either and although it drove me to tears I had to end up declining them in the end as I would have been way too wobbly on the scoot on the way back.