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Post by travelluver on Feb 20, 2012 21:13:01 GMT -5
Hi Everyone, I know I've been away from the boards for what seems like ages and I've missed everyone! Am now reaching out as I am taking my mother and sister to Paris for a week in July to celebrate my mother's 80th birthday. My mom has been to our place twice in the past, so as for the trip to not be just the repeating of sights she's already seen, I am thinking a day trip to the Loire Valley to see the Chateau would be nice. I've done most of them before so I am looking for a tour company that would do Chambord, Cheverny and Chenonceau in one day, preferably with lunch included. There seem to be alot of choices (though I'm not sure how many include those three),
can anyone make company recommendations? Thanks so much!
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Post by frenchmystiquetour on Feb 21, 2012 9:59:31 GMT -5
(Do I know you as lilac1 from another forum? )You can take the early morning TGV from Paris to Tours and pick up one of the mini-van tours that starts from the tourist office. They are very reasonably priced and I bet you'll find a tour just like the one you want to do or at least close to it. The TGV will get you to Tours in an hour. You want to arrive in Tours Centre, not the train station Saint-Pierre-des-Corps. The tourist office is right across from the train station and that is where you'll pick-up your tour. Here is the weblink for the Tours tourist office. Click the tab on the left that says "Excursions" and you'll find all the info you need. www.tours-tourisme.fr/index_en.phpIf you decide on this you'll need to use the TGV website to buy/reserve your tickets. For info on these trains use the website www.tgv-europe.com for schedules and prices. Don't forget to uncheck the box marked "Direct Trains" to see all possible options. If the TGV site redirects you to the RailEurope website then try again and enter "Antarctica" as your ticket collection country. Other countries may also work but just try to find a country that doesn't get you redirected to RailEurope. The RailEurope website often doesn't show all the trains and generally has higher prices but you can check just to compare. You can buy tickets up to 90 days in advance and the earlier you buy them the cheaper they will be. The discounted tickets are known as PREM tickets but these are non-refundable and can't be exchanged. Good luck! Oh, one more thought. You can also check out the tours that are offered by the Blois tourist office and here is the link: www.bloispaysdechambord.com/enYou'll have to search around the site for info on tours but it's on there somewhere. The only problem with Blois is that most of the train times are longer than to Tours but there's usually one very early morning train that is doable. |
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Post by PariS on Feb 21, 2012 10:21:43 GMT -5
Travelluver, hubby and I took the train to Tours a couple of years ago and hooked up with a tour company at the tourist office as Frenchmystique suggests above. We were very satisfied with the company we went with--Saint-Eloi Excursions (aka Chateau Excursions). They offer a full day tour that visits the chateaux you are interested in, plus Amboise and Clos Luce. You'd have to leave Paris really early to be there for a 9:15 am start time. www.chateauxexcursions.com/index2.asp?idjour=3&idlang=uk |
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Post by travelluver on Feb 22, 2012 16:41:05 GMT -5
Thanks Annette, and Frenchmystique. I will check out your suggestions. And no, Frenchmystique,
I don't post on another forum and have always been travelluver. Thanks again.
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Post by frenchmystiquetour on Feb 22, 2012 20:47:35 GMT -5
I was asking because I got a private message from someone on another forum who was taking their mother to the Loire this July for her 80th birthday. Ironic coincidence I guess.
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Post by travelluver on Feb 23, 2012 8:38:25 GMT -5
That is a coincidence! Maybe I will have to meet up with this person -
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Post by travelluver on May 1, 2012 8:56:36 GMT -5
As a followup to my own query, is anyone familiar with the tours offered by either citydiscovery or viator? They both are offering day trips of Chateau in the Loire, the difference being one leaves by motorcoach from Paris (which may be easier for my mom) and the other by coach from Loire (which mandates taking the train from Paris). Insights very much welcomed and appreciated!
Also, for a tour in general, how much lead time is necessary for booking?
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Let the riot begin! LOL - 
hahahha