This map will focus on attractions south from Paris – the departments of Essone and Seine-et-Marne around Fontainebleau. Most are suitable for day trips or stopovers along the way. You can stay up to three days in Fontainebleau and Provins to explore the area.
Best castles to see in Loire Valley
It is not simple to choose best castles to see in Loire Valley. This is not to say that all castles are interchangeable, but you can and should combine what you want to visit and what to see from the outside. In this topic, we will try to classify Loire castles into different categories, highlighting the best in each.
Here you find also a brief history of the region in relation to castles.
Amboise Castle, Clos Lucé and what else to see
Amboise has a number of advantages compared to other cities in the Loire Valley. This is a central position, transport accessibility and a concentration of attractions: three castles, a beautiful view from the river, the old town and several entertainments on the outskirts. If you visit everything, it will take two days. One thing: the city is well aware of its advantages, which is reflected in prices.
By car, bike and public transport in the Loire Valley
In this topic we’ll look at how you can get around the Loire Valley by car, bike and bus. Public transport in the Loire Valley provides access to most attractions. However, when it comes to buses, this opportunity is often only available a couple of times a day.
Loches and Chedigny village
Loches left the stage of history earlier than other cities of the Loire region, so it seems that not a single stone has been moved in it since the Middle Ages.
In this post we will see the large castle complex in Loches, and also the rose village of Chedigny.
Baltic sea. Schleswig, Hedeby and Danevirke
Schleswig – settlement (or harbor according to other versions) on the Schlei (Sly). The location seems to be extremely advantageous: on the one hand, there is access to the sea, on the other, it is well protected. And the other sea is just a stone’s throw away. But the Sly Firth is not suitable for shipping, so Schleswig is more of a sleeping village rather than a large city.
Baltic Sea. Kappeln, Eckernförde, Sly Firth and everything in between
In this topic we will explore the Baltic Sea coast from Kappeln to Eckernförde and Sly Firth. The Baltic coast of Schleswig-Holstein is more interesting than the North Sea coast in terms of what to see. There are also more developed resorts here, as well as large cities and additional entertainment.
Bergstrasse and Odenwald sightseeing
Odenwald is a forested and mountainous region between Frankfurt, Heidelberg and Heilbronn. The mountains are quite high in places. Every time we passed through Odenwald, it was a trip without confidence that we would get where we needed to go on time. The road stretched into infinity and led to completely unexpected places. In my opinion, ghosts from neighboring Spessart have long since moved to this enchanted place, namely to the village of Mudau, which, after two hits, we decided to avoid by any means.
Donautal: Danube source, Danube Valley, Sigmaringen
The Danube Valley from Sigmaringen to Tuttlingen is not so widely known and is not as popular as the nearby Black Forest. But these stunning views are worth spending a day biking, hiking, or even just taking the train along. In this topic we will look at the Danube source and the Danube Valley (with maps) and get to Sigmaringen.
Loire Valley Castles. Blois castle
Blois Castle (Chateau de Blois) was actively used, unlike Chambord. 7 kings and 10 queens lived here. This is an impressive complex with premises from different eras and different styles. In the summer, theatrical performances are held in the castle courtyard. And in the evenings there is the Son et Lumiere light show.