Loire Valley

Pros: Easily accessible, interesting features
Cons: not as grand as other chateau, but just as pleasing.

While driving through the Loire Valley for our honeymoon, my husband and I visited several of the regions most famous chateau, but it was Chenonceau we found the most beautiful.
It is not a large castle by any means, but is has some very original...

Pros: High quality unique entertainment
Cons: You will need to speak to understand some of the productions

If you plan a trip to the Loire Valley in summer, you will soon be exhausted from schlepping around to the many châteaux that dot the landscape. Take it easy on some days; take a nap during the day, and be prepared to do some of your schlepping in the...

Pros: Magnificent Chateaus, tranquility
Cons: Too big of a house to clean

I visited the Loire Valley in April 2001 and felt invigorated by the wonderful weather and mesmerized with the tranquil pace of life in this valley. We visited some of the most wonderful chateaus in the world lived in by kings, queens, princes,...

Pros: Beautiful, friendly, excellent service, amazing sight-seeing, wine!!
Cons: Not Many

We planned a two-night stay in the Loire Valley on a trip through France in May 2002. Amboise seemed a good choice - the town was not too big but still had a lot to offer including a well known Chateau.

As soon as we arrived at the Manoir Les...

Pros: An incredibly beautiful region in France
Cons: Difficult to navigate without a car

We just returned from a week's vacation in France. I'd like to share some of the highlights of our trip, as we gathered much information from this board. My review will be more factual and less imbued with the history of the sites we saw. We flew in to...

Pros: Totally silly unpretentious evening
Cons: Not gourmet food; if you are interested in gourmet food, try the regular menu

If you spend a month in the Loire Valley, as YentaKvetch did in the summer of 1997, you will soon have your fill of châteaux and will look for a change of pace. YentaKvetch's recommendation: Try the Dinner Spectacle Renaissance sponsored by Le Manoir St....

Pros: Beautiful chateau spanning the river Cher
Cons: Magnet for tour bus groups in summer

"I have 2 days in the Loire. Which chateaux should I see?" That is a question heard frequently from travelers with limited time. YentaKvetch cannot answer that question. No one can. The answer is always the same: You need to do a little...

Pros: Rich history, beauty, only three hours from Paris
Cons: none

The Loire Valley is one of the most interesting and beautiful areas in France. Its historical significance is evident while touring the area, with all of its castles and chateaux. The area is noted for its stories of romance, drama and intrigue,...

Pros: welcoming, rural atmosphere
Cons: $$$

If you are going to be spending some time in France, do not miss the Loire Valley. It is short train ride from Paris and offers gorgeous scenery, good wine and wonderful cuisine. The history is rich and colorful and the people are very welcoming and...

Pros: beautiful castles, friendly people, great food and wine
Cons: the only one I can think of if that English speakers can be tough to find at times!

I am currently a French teacher from Pennsylvania. While in college -- in 1992 -- I lived in Amboise, France, in the heart of the Loire Valley. I lived in Amboise from January through late March of that year. I need to stress to you how wonderful...

Pros: great wines, fascinating tours and beautiful chateaus
Cons: you eventually have to go back to work!

Growing up in Northern California, I have kind of taken the wine tour thing for granted. What a different experience the Loire Valley wine tour is!

One of the first things that struck me as odd was that if one wants to taste a particular...

Pros: It's romantic and delightful, an ideal location for a weekend, vacation or honeymoon.
Cons: none

"Le Manoir Les Minimes" is a quiet and pleasant hotel. Located on the Loire River, close to the Chateau d'Amboise, this beautiful residence was built in the 1700s and was entirely restored. The interior decor is elegant and refined with wonderful objects...

Pros: A life time experience
Cons: Too little time

One of my favorite places in the whole world is Loire valley. In fact, I love it so much that I am not sure I want to share it. But hey, I will.
I've been to Loire Valley four or five times and definitely will go there many more times.

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Pros: Uniquely French area, good wine, cool castles
Cons: Castles hard to get to without a car

The Loire Valley offers dozens of castles that each has its own unique history and architectural style. Having spent a year abroad in school at Angers in the Loire Valley, I had the chance to see most of this area. I highly recommend it for students who...

Pros: Close to Paris, lots of bloody history, interesting architecture
Cons: Read your history first or you won't really understand the significance of the place

"I have 2 days in the Loire. Which chateaux should I see?" That is a question heard frequently from travelers with limited time. YentaKvetch cannot answer that question. No one can. The answer is always the same: You need to do a little...