Driving trip to the Loire Valley
Discussion
Mods, move this to the right place please, not sure where it belongs.
After much back and forth over dates, last night me, my Dad and my brother finally booked our ferry from Portsmouth to Caen for a long weekend driving around the Loire Valley area in July.
I'm assuming plenty of people here have done a lot of driving in that sort of area, so wanted to see if anyone had any 'must see' places etc
My Dad did a trip in the area many years ago with his friends, so I'm sure he has a vague idea of a plan, but any up to date suggestions most welcome.
I hope I'll remember to take photos etc and make a thread, we'll be in quite a nice convoy of cars, so it should be fun:
After much back and forth over dates, last night me, my Dad and my brother finally booked our ferry from Portsmouth to Caen for a long weekend driving around the Loire Valley area in July.
I'm assuming plenty of people here have done a lot of driving in that sort of area, so wanted to see if anyone had any 'must see' places etc
My Dad did a trip in the area many years ago with his friends, so I'm sure he has a vague idea of a plan, but any up to date suggestions most welcome.
I hope I'll remember to take photos etc and make a thread, we'll be in quite a nice convoy of cars, so it should be fun:
lovely cars - great area to visit...
we visited the Loire and then down to Bordeaux and then on to San Sebastian for our honeymoon - slightly different car as we were in an e39 M5, but some great driving roads, and lots of good vineyards...
If you enjoy the wine / vineyards then the best tip is to look for 'off the beaten path' vineyards - the big ones who publicise visits and tours more widely can be quite sterile - they tend to be the vineyards who are more about process than emotion and the wines in our experience are either over-priced or not so good... if you can find the smaller producers most will still welcome you but you will get better wines / better welcomes / better experiences...
we visited in very hot weather (40deg +) so taking wine away with us was not easy as it would have cooked in the car - but all the vineyards will DHL wine back to the UK as you long as you buy minimum quantities - we may have ended up with quite a large amount of wine turning up on our return!
of course you could just enjoy the lovely roads!
we visited the Loire and then down to Bordeaux and then on to San Sebastian for our honeymoon - slightly different car as we were in an e39 M5, but some great driving roads, and lots of good vineyards...
If you enjoy the wine / vineyards then the best tip is to look for 'off the beaten path' vineyards - the big ones who publicise visits and tours more widely can be quite sterile - they tend to be the vineyards who are more about process than emotion and the wines in our experience are either over-priced or not so good... if you can find the smaller producers most will still welcome you but you will get better wines / better welcomes / better experiences...
we visited in very hot weather (40deg +) so taking wine away with us was not easy as it would have cooked in the car - but all the vineyards will DHL wine back to the UK as you long as you buy minimum quantities - we may have ended up with quite a large amount of wine turning up on our return!
of course you could just enjoy the lovely roads!
akirk said:
lovely cars - great area to visit...
we visited the Loire and then down to Bordeaux and then on to San Sebastian for our honeymoon - slightly different car as we were in an e39 M5, but some great driving roads, and lots of good vineyards...
If you enjoy the wine / vineyards then the best tip is to look for 'off the beaten path' vineyards - the big ones who publicise visits and tours more widely can be quite sterile - they tend to be the vineyards who are more about process than emotion and the wines in our experience are either over-priced or not so good... if you can find the smaller producers most will still welcome you but you will get better wines / better welcomes / better experiences...
we visited in very hot weather (40deg +) so taking wine away with us was not easy as it would have cooked in the car - but all the vineyards will DHL wine back to the UK as you long as you buy minimum quantities - we may have ended up with quite a large amount of wine turning up on our return!
of course you could just enjoy the lovely roads!
I think we're pretty much after a combo of good roads and some lovely hidden gem vineyards, so it sounds like we're on the right track we visited the Loire and then down to Bordeaux and then on to San Sebastian for our honeymoon - slightly different car as we were in an e39 M5, but some great driving roads, and lots of good vineyards...
If you enjoy the wine / vineyards then the best tip is to look for 'off the beaten path' vineyards - the big ones who publicise visits and tours more widely can be quite sterile - they tend to be the vineyards who are more about process than emotion and the wines in our experience are either over-priced or not so good... if you can find the smaller producers most will still welcome you but you will get better wines / better welcomes / better experiences...
we visited in very hot weather (40deg +) so taking wine away with us was not easy as it would have cooked in the car - but all the vineyards will DHL wine back to the UK as you long as you buy minimum quantities - we may have ended up with quite a large amount of wine turning up on our return!
of course you could just enjoy the lovely roads!
Great idea for a trip!
My suggestions:
- Head from Caen to Saumur, via Le Mans (assuming you don't clash with the Classic). Get a run down the Hunaudieres as you pass through, and lunch at Le Bistrot du Moulin at Fille
- Stay overnight in Saumur (plenty of places to stay/eat/drink), then head to Langlois-Chateau for a wine tasting and tour. It's the smallest of the run on the edge of Saumur.
- From Saumur, head east . Swing by a chateau in Tours, Blois, Amboise - whichever takes your pick. Keep heading east, staying off the autoroute, to Sancerre (yes, not technically the Loire). Grab a meal and a room.
- From Sancerre, head to Chateau de Savigny-les-Beaunes. Another chateau, you say? This one has ::has a twist::.
- Point cars towards ferry port, apply appropriate throttle and enjoy a scenic drive cross-country back up. If you've got time for an overnighter in Chartres on the way back, even better.
Hope that offers some food for thought. Either way, enjoy!
My suggestions:
- Head from Caen to Saumur, via Le Mans (assuming you don't clash with the Classic). Get a run down the Hunaudieres as you pass through, and lunch at Le Bistrot du Moulin at Fille
- Stay overnight in Saumur (plenty of places to stay/eat/drink), then head to Langlois-Chateau for a wine tasting and tour. It's the smallest of the run on the edge of Saumur.
- From Saumur, head east . Swing by a chateau in Tours, Blois, Amboise - whichever takes your pick. Keep heading east, staying off the autoroute, to Sancerre (yes, not technically the Loire). Grab a meal and a room.
- From Sancerre, head to Chateau de Savigny-les-Beaunes. Another chateau, you say? This one has ::has a twist::.
- Point cars towards ferry port, apply appropriate throttle and enjoy a scenic drive cross-country back up. If you've got time for an overnighter in Chartres on the way back, even better.
Hope that offers some food for thought. Either way, enjoy!
Tank museum in Saumur is good for a lads visit.
Avoid the road that runs along side the Loire narrow busy boring. If possible stay inland.
Have you booked accommodation? Lots of hotels with private parking.
If your landing at Caen then a diversion to the D day attractions is worth considering.
The Loire valley is interesting but it is also busy July August time
Are you wanting driving or chateau’s ?
I know the area well living 25 miles north in the Loir valley near Le Lude.
Avoid the road that runs along side the Loire narrow busy boring. If possible stay inland.
Have you booked accommodation? Lots of hotels with private parking.
If your landing at Caen then a diversion to the D day attractions is worth considering.
The Loire valley is interesting but it is also busy July August time
Are you wanting driving or chateau’s ?
I know the area well living 25 miles north in the Loir valley near Le Lude.
Myself and my dad did this on the way to the LM Classic last year and i can thoroughly recommend it….
We specifically went to have a look around the tank museum (musee des blindes). Well worth a look if interested in tanks. (Collection is lovely, though I think Bovington is better in terms of presentation and info).
We stayed at Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud (20mins from Saumur). A large abbey with an interesting history. They have a nice hotel within the grounds and Michelin starred restaurant. Accommodation lovely and the meal was excellent (chefs special mushroom dish a must). The real novelty was walking around the whole abbey late at night, long after closing to the tourists, virtually alone after dinner (and a bit tipsy). It was a unique way to walk off the dinner, certainly something a bit different.
If you want to treat yourself, I’d recommend there and would certainly stay/eat again myself. Though tons of other options in the area.
Have a good road trip, lovely trio of cars to do it in.
Ps. If you decide some d-day history is also in the plan, this is not a bad place to stay, Château La Chenevière.
We specifically went to have a look around the tank museum (musee des blindes). Well worth a look if interested in tanks. (Collection is lovely, though I think Bovington is better in terms of presentation and info).
We stayed at Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud (20mins from Saumur). A large abbey with an interesting history. They have a nice hotel within the grounds and Michelin starred restaurant. Accommodation lovely and the meal was excellent (chefs special mushroom dish a must). The real novelty was walking around the whole abbey late at night, long after closing to the tourists, virtually alone after dinner (and a bit tipsy). It was a unique way to walk off the dinner, certainly something a bit different.
If you want to treat yourself, I’d recommend there and would certainly stay/eat again myself. Though tons of other options in the area.
Have a good road trip, lovely trio of cars to do it in.
Ps. If you decide some d-day history is also in the plan, this is not a bad place to stay, Château La Chenevière.
Edited by LM240 on Friday 3rd February 23:08
Some logistics... not teaching you to suck eggs so disregard if no use..
Use Waze as google maps will not give any warnings of speed camera locations (there are many!).
Take PMR radios so you can talk car to car.
Toll booths are set up for LHD and are generally not manned. So you will either need a co-pilot or a stick to do contactless (unless you get a tag).
Whilst making progress make sure you slow down for villages even if not signed as a lower limit.
NSL is now 80kmh and 50kmh in villages - even if no signs for limit its 50. Police will ticket at 10kmh over if they feel like it.
Watch out for BIG speed bumps. The French love them more than us sometimes - can be hard to see at night!
The police patrol on motorbikes a lot more than the UK so be aware if you see a motorbike catching you up its very possible its the police. Lambos and Astons are going to attract a lot of attention!
Fuel is now touching 2.00/litre and not all stations carry E5.
If going near big cities (dont think you are) you may need a crit'air.
Watch out for stones / cr@p on the rural roads as farmers will drag stones off the fields onto the roads in the rural areas without much thought. Not so much of a problem for the front car but the tail end charlie will not be happy eating the stones...
I would advise you apply a good quality wax / ceramic to the front of your car as the bugs at that time of the year will be welded on in the 30c+ heat by the time you get home and will be a pain to get off.
Use Waze as google maps will not give any warnings of speed camera locations (there are many!).
Take PMR radios so you can talk car to car.
Toll booths are set up for LHD and are generally not manned. So you will either need a co-pilot or a stick to do contactless (unless you get a tag).
Whilst making progress make sure you slow down for villages even if not signed as a lower limit.
NSL is now 80kmh and 50kmh in villages - even if no signs for limit its 50. Police will ticket at 10kmh over if they feel like it.
Watch out for BIG speed bumps. The French love them more than us sometimes - can be hard to see at night!
The police patrol on motorbikes a lot more than the UK so be aware if you see a motorbike catching you up its very possible its the police. Lambos and Astons are going to attract a lot of attention!
Fuel is now touching 2.00/litre and not all stations carry E5.
If going near big cities (dont think you are) you may need a crit'air.
Watch out for stones / cr@p on the rural roads as farmers will drag stones off the fields onto the roads in the rural areas without much thought. Not so much of a problem for the front car but the tail end charlie will not be happy eating the stones...
I would advise you apply a good quality wax / ceramic to the front of your car as the bugs at that time of the year will be welded on in the 30c+ heat by the time you get home and will be a pain to get off.
gotoPzero said:
Some logistics... not teaching you to suck eggs so disregard if no use..
Use Waze as google maps will not give any warnings of speed camera locations (there are many!).
Take PMR radios so you can talk car to car.
Toll booths are set up for LHD and are generally not manned. So you will either need a co-pilot or a stick to do contactless (unless you get a tag).
Whilst making progress make sure you slow down for villages even if not signed as a lower limit.
NSL is now 80kmh and 50kmh in villages - even if no signs for limit its 50. Police will ticket at 10kmh over if they feel like it.
Watch out for BIG speed bumps. The French love them more than us sometimes - can be hard to see at night!
The police patrol on motorbikes a lot more than the UK so be aware if you see a motorbike catching you up its very possible its the police. Lambos and Astons are going to attract a lot of attention!
Fuel is now touching 2.00/litre and not all stations carry E5.
If going near big cities (dont think you are) you may need a crit'air.
Watch out for stones / cr@p on the rural roads as farmers will drag stones off the fields onto the roads in the rural areas without much thought. Not so much of a problem for the front car but the tail end charlie will not be happy eating the stones...
I would advise you apply a good quality wax / ceramic to the front of your car as the bugs at that time of the year will be welded on in the 30c+ heat by the time you get home and will be a pain to get off.
Thank you, all very useful points. In my 38 years I've never actually driven a car abroad to a lot of what you've said here I'd have had no clue about! Use Waze as google maps will not give any warnings of speed camera locations (there are many!).
Take PMR radios so you can talk car to car.
Toll booths are set up for LHD and are generally not manned. So you will either need a co-pilot or a stick to do contactless (unless you get a tag).
Whilst making progress make sure you slow down for villages even if not signed as a lower limit.
NSL is now 80kmh and 50kmh in villages - even if no signs for limit its 50. Police will ticket at 10kmh over if they feel like it.
Watch out for BIG speed bumps. The French love them more than us sometimes - can be hard to see at night!
The police patrol on motorbikes a lot more than the UK so be aware if you see a motorbike catching you up its very possible its the police. Lambos and Astons are going to attract a lot of attention!
Fuel is now touching 2.00/litre and not all stations carry E5.
If going near big cities (dont think you are) you may need a crit'air.
Watch out for stones / cr@p on the rural roads as farmers will drag stones off the fields onto the roads in the rural areas without much thought. Not so much of a problem for the front car but the tail end charlie will not be happy eating the stones...
I would advise you apply a good quality wax / ceramic to the front of your car as the bugs at that time of the year will be welded on in the 30c+ heat by the time you get home and will be a pain to get off.
Concerning about the speed bumps, especially for Corvette and Lambo.
Petrol prices - horrible, but I guess that's just what we have to accept.
Do you mean not all stations have super unleaded then? Guessing 'bigger' ones will do so we need to seek them out?
Best bet is to use Intermarche price wise, although I filled up this morning and it was 1.96. 2 weeks ago it was 1.89.
Most of the Intermarches have 95 and 98.
The smaller petrol stations will generally have 95 and diesel. The 95 will be E10 obvs.
Some still have E5 95 and E5 98 plus E10 95.
So pay attention to what you are putting in. Almost all petrol stations are card at the pump fyi, just press the UK flag for english instructions but its pretty straight forward. Mostly you will get 120 euro max per fill. So 60L... just be aware of that.
The speed bumps.. yep they can be big. I ground out my bone stock RS3 a few days ago on one.
I was hoping to bring my 355 over in the summer but tbh I am having second thoughts.
Most of the Intermarches have 95 and 98.
The smaller petrol stations will generally have 95 and diesel. The 95 will be E10 obvs.
Some still have E5 95 and E5 98 plus E10 95.
So pay attention to what you are putting in. Almost all petrol stations are card at the pump fyi, just press the UK flag for english instructions but its pretty straight forward. Mostly you will get 120 euro max per fill. So 60L... just be aware of that.
The speed bumps.. yep they can be big. I ground out my bone stock RS3 a few days ago on one.
I was hoping to bring my 355 over in the summer but tbh I am having second thoughts.
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