LOIRE VALLEY - Recommendations (1 Viewer)

[Armytwowheels]

We are making our slow way home and have changed our route/minds 3 times already, we have now settled on visiting the Loire Valley for a couple or three nights.

Not having been to this part of France before we haven't a clue where to head for. Can anyone recommend somewhere for cycling, walking, maybe kayaking as well but not essential?

There seems to be so many Aires along the river, it's difficult to know where to stick the pin in the map!

 

[FIDGET]

Hi, we liked Briare aire but not the main one , we went from the official ire over bridge to canalside parking near the dotto train and stopped along side of the canal,
Also stopped Challonnes aire part of campsite right on the banks of loire quite nice,
Another rather rural pleasant aire by a large pond lake is Lailly en Val

 

[Armytwowheels]

Thanks Terry. We should be in the area tomorrow and will check them out.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Armytwowheels]

Thanks Terry. We should be in the area tomorrow and will check them out.

 

[davidbaldam]

Chinon is a nice area with a camp site right by the river.

 

[walburga]

Sully...It will be busy, but there are 2 overspill parking areas. Great cycle track alongside.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[cbrown1360]

Nice aire at Azay le Rideau. We cycled from there to the Chateau and gardens at Villandry - about 45km round trip through some beautiful countryside. There's also another great spot on the river at St Clement de Levees with a fantastic artisan boulangerie just behind it.

 

[Fifiwi]

We spent a few days at the municipal campsite in Chinon last year...good facilities, and, as @davidbaldam said, close to the town centre. It's also handy for cycling the Loire a Velo routes. Another place we stayed was Gennes, not far from Saumur. From there we cycled to Saumur, and almost to Angers in the other direction.

 

[Munchie]

Currently at Chateauneuf Sur Loire. I would describe it as "rustic" but at €13 a night with leccie good for us.
We leave in the morning.
Cycle route just out of the site.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Jenben]

Turquant , by the troglodyte village. There is a really nice bike ride up to Fontevraud L'Abbaye we did one day and there is another route which takes you into Chinon. There is an Aire up at Fontevraud L'Abbaye as well, when we were there it was being rejigged to make it more suitable as it was on a ridiculous slope.

 

[Armytwowheels]

Thank you all, we will make a choice tomorrow and let you know how we get on.

Really appreciate the help.

 

[Armytwowheels]

And the winner is - Chenehutt Treves Cunault. France has come up trumps and turned the temperature up to 33c in the shade.

We are very close to the river but have a ploughed field to carry the kayaks over first!
Lovey free aire and it makes a nice change to be camped on grass. Excuse the little bit of cheeky awning usage!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Figaro]

Your excused, it's hot, (there not here)
I am down that way soon so reading with interest

 

[Dazzlin]

You are ahead of us. Enjoy the water.

Just landed at Cognac. Parked outside Hennesey warehouse.

Guess what I am drinking tomoz?

You are not kidding regards the sunshine. Lynne didn't believe it was 36° outside and 2 less in the van!!!

Just finished a chicken cassoulet from the slow cooker. Phew, wrong meal or what?

 

[Armytwowheels]

Silly me, we are not at Turquant we are at Chenehutt Treves Cunault. Camper contact no 14413.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Armytwowheels]

You are ahead of us. Enjoy the water.

Just landed at Cognac. Parked outside Hennesey warehouse.

Guess what I am drinking tomoz?

You are not kidding regards the sunshine. Lynne didn't believe it was 36° outside and 2 less in the van!!!

Just finished a chicken cassoulet from the slow cooker. Phew, wrong meal or what?

Well we were planning on having a curry tonight!! Maybe not.

 

[Baileysbus]

Chinon is a nice area with a camp site right by the river.

Second that We were there recently and it's a lovely spot. There's a new aire under construction at Villandry, meanwhile you can park up for free ....... at least you could 3 weeks ago. If doing just one chateau, do Chenonceau it's lovely

 

[Figaro]

I thought I`d put this under the existing Loire thread.
We are off there for two weeks at end of June and don`t know the area. Were starting at Sully sur Loire, then Chambord, Blois, Amboise, Tours and I doubt we`ll get much past Saumur before we have to head north again.
I plan to use Aires and odd site maybe, but the wife would like a really nice site to stay for 3/4 nights at some point.
Can anyone suggest a good site, close to attractions, walking distance of shops and restaurants etc.
I had thought of Ile de Offard at Saumur but they don`t seem to accept dogs after 1st July.
So any other good suggestions please..........

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Baileysbus]

@Figaro I'd deffo recommend the site at Chinon. Bar by the river overlooking the chateau and town and you're a 5 min walk into Chinon itself. Campsite is dog friendly and staff were helpful.

 

[denisejoe]

La suze-sur-Sarthe right on river, shops over bridge has everything there €5 a night lovely spot

Joe

 

[Figaro]

@Baileysbus
Is that the municipal at
Camping municipal de l'Île Auger ?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Armytwowheels]

@Baileysbus
Is that the municipal at
Camping municipal de l'Île Auger ?

We have just moved here following the recommendations on here and I can confirm it is a lovely site. At the moment only €11 per night. €13 if you have leccy. No restrictions on dogs but they do charge €1.50 per night, although he did only charge us €1.

We have the boats off the roof and a key to the gate for direct access to the river. Photos to follow.

 

[Figaro]

Just added it to my route, thanks

 

[Baileysbus]

@Baileysbus
Is that the municipal at
Camping municipal de l'Île Auger ?

Hi @Figaro. Sorry for the late reply. Yup, that's the one. Hope you enjoy. Lovely cafes in the wee square and there is a Boulanger open on Sundays. It's on the street immediately behind the main river road through Chinon.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[scotzsue]

Chinon lovely place, stayed there on a motorbike tour, before we got the motorhome, and noted the campsite for the future. To our shame we have not been back despite driving past a few times. So in the diary for next year as we wont be able to go this.

 

[Armytwowheels]

We have had a lovely couple of days in Chinon, messing about on the river, a walk up to the castle, a lovely dinner in town while listening to live music.

We even met and chatted to some proper rowers getting some practice in before their European Championships.

We were interviewed by a guy from a French Rowing Forum, who was fascinated in our life style and could get over the fact that our dog spent more time in the water than out!

Today we are going for another paddle up river, taking our snorkels in case we find a suitable spot and a picnic. It is already 41c in the sun today!

Then tomorrow it is back on the road and beelining to Calais, must not forget to find a vets.

 

[Figaro]

Love it, can't wait to get there. But 41c phew, that's hot.
Be interested to know which vet you choose as that will be on our list of requirements after leaving chinon.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Dizzy Izzy]

We will be in the area in a couple of weeks so interested to know about the vet too.
41C....wow that's hot!! ....note to self,extra sun lotion required!!

 

[TerryL]

Currently on the Acsi site at Autun (Bourgoyne) planning to move on up to Loire tomorrow.

@Dazzlin where are you headed for?

 

[Armytwowheels]

It's cooled off to a balmy 31c now.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}