Loire Valley Recommendations

[Wack61]

I've booked another french trip mid april , 2 weeks
Boat lands at santander sat 5pm
So far I've booked 6 nights in Sarlat from monday - saturday
I was thinking off the boat , drive 2 hours in a north direction then a night somewhere , then head towards sarlat another hour or so then another night

That leaves 6 days for the Loire Valley then up to Cherbourg for the fast boat home sat 7pm but I've not booked anything for the 6 days yet

I dont know whether to do 3-2-1 heading north or 2-2-2 or find somewhere central for 5 nights and travel about like we did in Normandy then one night closer to cherbourg

I'm hoping to do it for under £100 a night which given it's out of season I'm hoping is realistic, parking is a priority

 

[conaero]

Samur is a must, lovely town and especially with out us Le Mans Idiots in situ and I know a lovely Hotel there, Best Western over the bridge from memory but it is lovely and inexpensive.

Le Mans town centre is worth a look too.

Bernay, again, lovely medieval chocolate box of a place. Saturday it has a market in the town and very busy. We stay in the Lion D'or but its basic so you could probably do better.

Further North, Honfleur but its touristy so check the price for a coffee before you sit down, paid €30 for 2 and a 2 pespsi.

 

[Wack61]

Thanks
We went to honfluer last time but after paris I don't eat or drink in the main areas, once bitten twice shy.

I'll look up Samur

 

[doodlebug]

The missus and I stayed here three years ago.
https://www.lefleurayhotel.com/

Nice place, it's a bit out of the way but still within about 30 minutes drive from several châteaux. I'm not sure if it'll come in under £100 a night.

 

[Hurricane52]

We stopped at this place in Maulévrier on a similar journey. Great food and the best Potager we’ve ever seen. There’s also a stunning Oriental garden just behind it. Not so far to the excellent revamped Le Mans museum as well.
https://www.chateaucolbert.com/

 

[Doctor Houx]

A trip I do fairly regularly, as saves the drive, petrol and tolls south.

From the ferry at Santander, Bilbao is beautiful and less than an hour away. From there, San Sebastian is another short hop and superb seafood etc. Staying on the west coast, Bordeaux is worth a night or 2 and is about 200 miles further on.

Another 250 miles brings you up to the Loire Valley, where we own a property in La Chartre, right opposite the famous Hotel de France, the Le Mans base for Aston, Ford, Porsche & Mirage from 50's to 70's (see my Avatar). As Matt says, quite apart from the motor racing attractions close by, this is Chateau central, and the towns of Samur, Amboise and Chinon are all stunningly beautiful. Chateau de Chambord is awe inspiring and the food there makes you want to not eat anywhere else! All these places are less than an hour from La Chartre.

From there, north to any of the coastal towns between Caen and Le Havre are a great choice, many of which are the equal of Honfleur on this part of the coast, but much cheaper and less crowded. From there you can get the ferry from a variety of ports, or a further drive onto Calais and the tunnel.

If you do want to stay central for 5 nights as you mention is an option, please have a look at my website. I can do much better deals on this place outside of race times when we are not full up. Have a look at www.eventsreinvented.com/maisondespilotes and contact me if interested.

 

[outrun]

I’d avoid Honfluer unless you’re sailing in and head to Deauville and Trouville Sur Mer. They are the holiday locations of the Parisienne wealthy and both really lovely places.

 

[Guy]

A trip I do fairly regularly, as saves the drive, petrol and tolls south.

From the ferry at Santander, Bilbao is beautiful and less than an hour away. From there, San Sebastian is another short hop and superb seafood etc. Staying on the west coast, Bordeaux is worth a night or 2 and is about 200 miles further on.

Another 250 miles brings you up to the Loire Valley, where we own a property in La Chartre, right opposite the famous Hotel de France, the Le Mans base for Aston, Ford, Porsche & Mirage from 50's to 70's (see my Avatar). As Matt says, quite apart from the motor racing attractions close by, this is Chateau central, and the towns of Samur, Amboise and Chinon are all stunningly beautiful. Chateau de Chambord is awe inspiring and the food there makes you want to not eat anywhere else! All these places are less than an hour from La Chartre.

From there, north to any of the coastal towns between Caen and Le Havre are a great choice, many of which are the equal of Honfleur on this part of the coast, but much cheaper and less crowded. From there you can get the ferry from a variety of ports, or a further drive onto Calais and the tunnel.

If you do want to stay central for 5 nights as you mention is an option, please have a look at my website. I can do much better deals on this place outside of race times when we are not full up. Have a look at www.eventsreinvented.com/maisondespilotes and contact me if interested.

That's a trip I have been considering for a while! isn't San Sebastien a great gourmet city in general (not just fish)? I can see the plan to take the Strad and then being forced to take the 750 to fit my wife and daughter's cases.....more thought required.

 

[safrane]

Chinon is also lovely and the Best Western in the main square can be had for your budget... and it has its own internal carpark.

 

[AT3200AC]

Stayed in this part of the world many times. Last year was Grand Hotel de la Abbaye - link below. Right on the river and plenty of nice local places to eat but a short stroll away.

Hotel on the banks of the Loire | Abbey in Beaugency

Relive the history of the Grand Hôtel de l'Abbaye in Beaugency, which is located in an 11th century abbey in Beaugency, restored with respect for its rich history.

www.grandhoteldelabbaye.com

Bayeux is a cracking spot up near the Normandy landing beaches. Loads to see and do for a couple of days. It’s about an hour from Cherbourg.

Have a good trip.

 

[Doctor Houx]

That's a trip I have been considering for a while! isn't San Sebastien a great gourmet city in general (not just fish)? I can see the plan to take the Strad and then being forced to take the 750 to fit my wife and daughter's cases.....more thought required.

Yes, many of the places I mention are great places for gourmets in general and San Sebastian is overflowing with great places to eat with stunning views over the coast. Thats why I'm 17 stone! Often take the Cayenne Turbo as opposed to anything more sporting, so the wife has no complaints re luggage space and it can still kick up its heels when required as has more BHP than the Maser..............but over 2 tonnes to haul also.

 

[Wack61]

Stayed in this part of the world many times. Last year was Grand Hotel de la Abbaye - link below. Right on the river and plenty of nice local places to eat but a short stroll away.

Hotel on the banks of the Loire | Abbey in Beaugency

Relive the history of the Grand Hôtel de l'Abbaye in Beaugency, which is located in an 11th century abbey in Beaugency, restored with respect for its rich history.

www.grandhoteldelabbaye.com

Bayeux is a cracking spot up near the Normandy landing beaches. Loads to see and do for a couple of days. It’s about an hour from Cherbourg.

Have a good trip.

We stayed near Arromanches last year so Bauex was somewhere we visited a few times, quite surprising to visit a city centre with virtually no driving restrictions and on street parking everywhere.

 

[soprano]

Another vote for Saumur, take a look at Le Patio for accommodation, it’s lovely and reasonably priced, and the owner absolutely loves his cars.

 

[Wack61]

Thanks for that soprano , Le Patio does look nice , I'm still trying to work out exactly where we want to go but 2-3 nights there looks good

 

[philw696]

Bordeaux is certainly a gem as far as I'm concerned living here.
Saumur too is Stunning.
You wouldn't go far wrong following your nose mate that's what we do and always find somewhere interesting to stay.

 

[Guy]

Yes, many of the places I mention are great places for gourmets in general and San Sebastian is overflowing with great places to eat with stunning views over the coast. Thats why I'm 17 stone! Often take the Cayenne Turbo as opposed to anything more sporting, so the wife has no complaints re luggage space and it can still kick up its heels when required as has more BHP than the Maser..............but over 2 tonnes to haul also.

Ha! 2 tonnes plus the extra weight gained each night of wonderful food! My local Porsche specialist (Ray Northway) has always run Cayenne turbos as his daily; loves them. I think he also has an Aston, i think a DB5. Always loved the sound of the early GTS and assume not so thirsty at the turbo (15mpg?).

 

[Doctor Houx]

Ha! 2 tonnes plus the extra weight gained each night of wonderful food! My local Porsche specialist (Ray Northway) has always run Cayenne turbos as his daily; loves them. I think he also has an Aston, i think a DB5. Always loved the sound of the early GTS and assume not so thirsty at the turbo (15mpg?).

Agree its a very capable and reliable vehicle based on my personal experience. Looks were always challenging and have got better over the years IMO, and if you are inside you can't see them anyway! Can get about 19mpg on a run between my UK and French homes provided I stick to max 70 mph on the autoroutes. Use the power on tap and cruise at > 80 or around town and it drops to low teens.

The DB4 I think is the purest the 60's superleggera DB's and the Vanquish is the most striking, beautiful and purposeful modern AM IMO, not to mention low production numbers and the last handbuilt model out of the old Newport Pagnell works. Its right up there with the modern Maser's for sound too, with a great V12 roar and lots of pops and crackles on the overrun. I'm a lucky boy to get to own and race these cars, and often pinch myself when on the circuit at Le Mans, Spa or Goodwood etc. I'm 57 this year and need to enjoy it while it lasts, before I have replacement hips and can't see where I'm going due to cateracts!