Experience Loire | Loire Valley France tourism: January 2016

Thursday, 28 January 2016

This weekend in the Loire Valley....

CLASSICAL MUSIC FESTIVAL

SAUMUR / FONTEVRAUD ABBEY

From Friday 29 to Sunday, January 31, 2016, Saumur and Fontevraud-l'Abbaye host the 22nd edition of the "Folle Journée" in the region this year placed under the sign of nature.

Website:

Sunday, 24 January 2016

Looking forward to spring here in the Loire Valley...

The Loire Valley here in France can be delightful at almost anytime of year but spring brings with it its own magic spell with chateaux and public gardens coming to life in a blaze of colour and new growth.

The grand castles of the Loire Valley compete with each other giving their visitors a fresh look at already remarkable gardens.

Chateau de Chenonceau

Chateau Villandry

Villandry gardens

Chateau de Cheverny's gardens and park are enhanced during spring by the addition of a river of tulips.

Gardens at Chateau de Cheverny

Towns and villages are refreshed with thoughtful planting in the colours of spring.

Public garden at Blere

Public gardens at Descartes

Public gardens at Loches

Monday, 11 January 2016

How to get from Tours city centre by tram to Tours Val de Loire Airport....in pictures

Since October 2015, there is no shuttle bus service running between the bus station in the centre of the city and Tours Val de Loire Airport.

The replacement service is now a tram ride from the stop to the right of the railway station,'Gare de Tours' to 'Terminus Vaucanson', which runs on a regular basis,every 8 minutes.You should allow around 45mins for the trip.

You buy your single journey ticket (1.50 euro) from the ticket machine at the tram stop which takes credit cards or cash..There is an English language option available.

The journey time is around 20 minutes (13 stops) to 'Vaucanson' which is the end of the line.

After you arrive at the terminus you then have a 10 minute walk from there to the airport itself.

There is a 'park & ride' area at the terminus

You walk around this to the left then follow the signs 'Tours Val de Loire'

These will lead you to a roundabout on a busy dual carriageway.

Where you have to negotiate a double zebra crossing.

Once on the other side of the roundabout you continue straight on towards the airport.

After a short time on the road leading into the airport the footpath disappears and you have to continue on the road itself!

In the airport there didn't seem to be any information on taking the tram into the city...maybe the demand isn't there.

Go to the left of it and cross over the dual carriageway. Continue straight on until you catch sight of the 'LeRoy Merlin' store on your right - the terminus is set back on your right opposite it.