Vacance de France refroidis par air...

[Sideways Tim]

As a change to visiting the Classic Le Mans, this year my BiL and I (with wives and child), have decided to rent a villa in the Dordogne and to drive there in his '65 Beetle and our '86 2CV.

The plan is to overnight at Dover, then earlyish ferry to Calais and drive the scenic route for an overnight stop at L'Hotel de France, Chartre-sur-le-Loir. Next day we complete the journey to a place near Monsac, where we lounge by the pool for a week and stuff ourselves with cheap wine and dubious cuisine. Reversing the journey home, we're looking for an alternative stopover about half way, in case we don't fancy going back to L'Hotel de France.

Any suggestions? Needs to offer at least one double and one family room and be a bit quirky if possible.

Cheers.

[Pete54]

Possibly not quite far enough North but Chinon is a pretty interesting town, reasonable availability of accommodation.

[lesstatt]

Orleans or tours are both lovely towns situated on the Loire valley, stayed in both last year on a motorhome tour of the area, not too far from le man, and the road from Orleans to le man in one of the straightest pieces of road I have ever driven along, miles and miles without even a slight bend.

Edited by lesstatt on Monday 1st February 16:43

[Sideways Tim]

Loire valley looks likely. Looking for a chateau, you know for that last night of our holidays experience. Any ideas?

[lesstatt]

Also in the area is Amboise, beautiful place Can't advise on accommodation sorry we took ours with us

[battered]

I used to live on the Loire valley, I know Chinon quite well. It's a nice little town but very quiet and no nearby Mway. This may not be a problem in a 2CV/Beetle convoy.

If you want a luxury chateau type hotel in the area there are a few. One outfit (Google find) is called Grandes Etapes Francaises, they have chateau hotels in Amboise, Montbazon, and a third village near Tours. You may also want to try Fontevraud Abbey, I know I've eaten there and I think they have a small hotel. Maybe not especially luxurious but certainly unique.

Try also here
http://www.bloischambord.com/organiser/hebergement...

There are loads of chateaux-hotels in the area. I don't know which offer accom. However if you Google "Loire Chateaux" you'll get a list. The local tourist offices can help too.

I'm trying to remember which resto I used to occasionally take clients to, or rather my boss did. The place overlooks the Loire and you can sit in the dining room or the terrasse watching the river rolling by as the sun sets. It was rubbish. You can imagine. I don't know if it does rooms.

[Sideways Tim]

battered said:

I used to live on the Loire valley, I know Chinon quite well. It's a nice little town but very quiet and no nearby Mway. This may not be a problem in a 2CV/Beetle convoy.

If you want a luxury chateau type hotel in the area there are a few. One outfit (Google find) is called Grandes Etapes Francaises, they have chateau hotels in Amboise, Montbazon, and a third village near Tours. You may also want to try Fontevraud Abbey, I know I've eaten there and I think they have a small hotel. Maybe not especially luxurious but certainly unique.

Try also here
http://www.bloischambord.com/organiser/hebergement...

There are loads of chateaux-hotels in the area. I don't know which offer accom. However if you Google "Loire Chateaux" you'll get a list. The local tourist offices can help too.

I'm trying to remember which resto I used to occasionally take clients to, or rather my boss did. The place overlooks the Loire and you can sit in the dining room or the terrasse watching the river rolling by as the sun sets. It was rubbish. You can imagine. I don't know if it does rooms.

Thanks, great info. Motorways aren't something we'll be bothering with

[LordBretSinclair]

We stayed at Le Clos D'Aboise http://www.leclosdamboise.com/en/

Lovely old house with secure parking but right in the middle of town so an easy walk to the Chateau and many great restaurants for those who like a drink in the evening with no driving

[Pete54]

You may also want to try Fontevraud Abbey.

I have stayed there. Seriously expensive but some experience. Chinon is a little off the autoroutes but that is often the point, character etc. But the fortress at Chinon has too be seen.

[Sideways Tim]

Thanks folks. Looks like there's a few good options. Keep 'em coming if you think of any more.

[Sideways Tim]

Chaps - thanks for your input. After a fair old bit of searching and finding that late August is apparently a busy time for french hotels (who knew!), we have booked a night at the Chateau du Vau, at Ballan Mire.

Get's good reviews, has a family room available (so many places didn't) and is located just nicely for our needs.

Can't wait now.

[battered]

Busy in August, well there's a thing.

That looks great. One word of advice - watch your speed on the local roads between villages. A friend of mine left my place for the airport at Tours and was pulled up in his 540i having been hairdryered at 150+ kmh on the levee road somewhere near Langeais. Eu750 right now, M'sieu. They escorted him to the bank and took his passport and licence until he coughed. Needless to say, he was a little bit chastened.

Oh, hang on. I've just typed this anecdote and you will be in a 2CV. As you were, have a nice time.

Everyone loves 2CVs in France. I got a mixed reception in other cars, especially sporty ones, but a deuche has everyone smiling.

[Huntsman]

Auberge De Centre in Chitenay just south of Blois is lovely, nice lady sings jazz in the garden in the evenings while dining outside. V near to Chambord too. In the hotel rest't you'll find on the wine list a nice light local red, Cour Cheverny yb F Cazin, its about 20 eu. Find his place and its 4 eu. We bought 100 bottles.

Fab idea, we did it in a 1964 Morris Minor Traveller and a 1971 VW Beetle.

[Sideways Tim]

battered said:

Busy in August, well there's a thing.

That looks great. One word of advice - watch your speed on the local roads between villages. A friend of mine left my place for the airport at Tours and was pulled up in his 540i having been hairdryered at 150+ kmh on the levee road somewhere near Langeais. Eu750 right now, M'sieu. They escorted him to the bank and took his passport and licence until he coughed. Needless to say, he was a little bit chastened.

Oh, hang on. I've just typed this anecdote and you will be in a 2CV. As you were, have a nice time.

Everyone loves 2CVs in France. I got a mixed reception in other cars, especially sporty ones, but a deuche has everyone smiling.

I really don't think speeding is going to be an issue. The 2CV will do 70, but the Beetle certainly won't

[Sideways Tim]

Huntsman said:

Auberge De Centre in Chitenay just south of Blois is lovely, nice lady sings jazz in the garden in the evenings while dining outside. V near to Chambord too. In the hotel rest't you'll find on the wine list a nice light local red, Cour Cheverny yb F Cazin, its about 20 eu. Find his place and its 4 eu. We bought 100 bottles.

Fab idea, we did it in a 1964 Morris Minor Traveller and a 1971 VW Beetle.

I shall report back, eventually. Doubt we could fit that much wine on board though.

[Huntsman]

Sideways Tim said:

I shall report back, eventually. Doubt we could fit that much wine on board though.

Try harder.

[HaylingJag]

big PH points if you or the Dub can achieve a speeding rap,

[Sideways Tim]

HaylingJag said:

big PH points if you or the Dub can achieve a speeding rap,

I'm thinking that's unlikely

[Huntsman]

Sideways Tim said:

I'm thinking that's unlikely

We raced the Traveller and the Beetle over the Pont de Normandie on the way out of Le Havre, neck and neck blocking both lanes, both flat out, both crying with laughter.

[Sideways Tim]

Huntsman said:

We raced the Traveller and the Beetle over the Pont de Normandie on the way out of Le Havre, neck and neck blocking both lanes, both flat out, both crying with laughter.