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.
travel in france
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.
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.
Around Chinon: Loire Valley map from Tours to Angers
We continue and complete our journey through the Loire Valley. There are two Loire Valley maps in this topic: from Tours to Chinon and from Chinon to Angers.
Around Chenonceau: attractions map from Amboise to Loches
The next map of attractions in the Loire Valley. This time we explore Amboise, part of the Cher River around Chenonceau and the region south of Tours to the town of Loches.
Alsace public transport and welcome cards
Tourists and Alsace public transport are a real combination, but require preparation, since the system is intended for residents and does not focus on foreign tourists. In addition, Alsace is divided by two large transport associations with their own rules and tariffs, and traveling across the zone border is quite unprofitable. But let’s start with the good stuff: how to save money with Alsace welcome cards.
Selestat and around: Koenigsbourg Castle, Monkey Mountain, Cigoland
Selestat is not as popular as Colmar and does not seem to be trying to improve this situation, although there are a number of top Alsatian attractions nearby. Koenigsbourg Castle, a park with free-roaming monkeys and a bird of prey show are on a mountain near the city. There’s also an amusement park near the highway, and Alsace vine route through beautiful half-timbered small towns. Let’s also add Strasbourg, which has good transport accessibility, and we get an almost ideal base for exploring Alsace.