A Travelogue from a Vacation in Loire – Arriving in Tours
Planning the vacation
It’s August 2010 and we are going on vacation to the Loire Valley in France. We started planning the trip about a year earlier. We visited a large number of websites to collect info about where to stay and what to see in the area. My husband is a cycle enthusiast and wanted to bring his bike. I am not that keen on cycling, my passion is photography. So when he is cycling, I follow with my camera and a rental car. That way we can both enjoy our hobbies, and at the same time spend time together. A very practical solution for both of us.
Staying in Tours, the Capital of Indre-et-Loire
After checking out some of the cities in Loire, we agreed to book a hotel in Tours. It was an appartment hotel close to the railwaystation in Tours. The appartment was brand new, but quite small. I’m sure an American would have thought the double bed was ment for only one person. But it was perfect for the two of us. The city of Tours has about 140 000 inhabitants and is a great base for day trips in the Loire area. Most of the famous chateaux in Loire is within an hours drive from Tours.
The city of Tours itself is also well worth a visit. The charming Place Plumereau in the heart of the old part of town is a must see. A lot of restaurants and shops are located in this area. The main shopping street in Tours is Rue Nationale though. You will find all kind of modern shops there, fashion, electronics, flowers and food.
The tourist office in Tours is close to the railway station. They had a large selection of guide books and maps, not only for Tours, but for the whole Loire area. After a walk around town, and dinner at Place Plumereau, we went back to our appartment to get a good nights sleep before the next days trip to Bourgueil and Chateau d’Usse. Our vacation in the Loire Valley is about to start.