An excellent week-end at the Loire Valley
« Waste a day at the Loire Valley when visiting Paris ? No way…” This is what I used to say before last week-end.
If you are staying one week or more in Paris, do not miss the Loire Valley, it is a very good choice!
We leaved Paris Saturday afternoon and had time to visit 3 castles during 2 days: Chambord, Chenonceau, and Amboise (half day per place).
What can I say about the castles? Well, there are no words to describe their beauty. It is a must do in France. The landscapes are also marvellous.
My favourite? Chambord, thanks to the marvellous guide we had.
Also people are helpful and reserved us a very nice welcome there.
Something is sure: If you go there by your self you must prepare well your days. You will have to rent a car, wake up early, prepare your routes in order to have nice landscapes and count lots of money (it is expensive).
There is a very good web (English) to prepare your visit : chateauxtourisme
You can also take a guided tour with Cityrama, VisitFrance…
And of course have a great visit!
I am thinking about going back there for one week but in one or two years during summer… That is the privilege about living in Paris…
Anaïs
Regetel
March 30, 2010
Amboise, Loire Valley
Amboise
Rampe du Château
37403 Amboise
Tél. +33 (0)2 47 57 00 98
chateau.amboise@wanadoo.fr
Website: www.chateau-amboise.com
It is a castle transformed along the centuries… But thanks to revolution and Napoleon, the building is like half it should be!
Amboise is famous because of Leonard de Vinci who lived in the city until his death.
We loved Amboise because of its history, but we really preferred Chenonceau and Chambord.
Opened Every day except January first and December 25.
From 02/01 to 31/01 : 9am to 12h30 & 2pm to 4.45pm
From 01/02 to 28/02 : 9am to 12h30 & 1pm to 5pm
From 01/03 to 31/03 : 9am to 5.30pm
From 01/04 to 30/06 : 9am to 6.00pm
From 01/07 to 31/08 : 9am to 7.00pm
From 01/09 to 01/11 : 9am to 6.00pm
From 02/11 to 15/12 : 9am to 5.30pm
From 16/11 to 31/12 : 9am to 12h30 & 2pm to 4.45pm
Prices : 9 €; children(7 to 14 years) 5,3 €.
Anaïs
Regetel
Rampe du Château
37403 Amboise
Tél. +33 (0)2 47 57 00 98
chateau.amboise@wanadoo.fr
Website: www.chateau-amboise.com
It is a castle transformed along the centuries… But thanks to revolution and Napoleon, the building is like half it should be!
Amboise is famous because of Leonard de Vinci who lived in the city until his death.
We loved Amboise because of its history, but we really preferred Chenonceau and Chambord.
Opened Every day except January first and December 25.
From 02/01 to 31/01 : 9am to 12h30 & 2pm to 4.45pm
From 01/02 to 28/02 : 9am to 12h30 & 1pm to 5pm
From 01/03 to 31/03 : 9am to 5.30pm
From 01/04 to 30/06 : 9am to 6.00pm
From 01/07 to 31/08 : 9am to 7.00pm
From 01/09 to 01/11 : 9am to 6.00pm
From 02/11 to 15/12 : 9am to 5.30pm
From 16/11 to 31/12 : 9am to 12h30 & 2pm to 4.45pm
Prices : 9 €; children(7 to 14 years) 5,3 €.
Anaïs
Regetel
Photo : Ville d'Amboise © Legnitanais
Chenonceau
Chenonceau
37150 Chenonceau
Tél. +33 (0)2 47 23 90 07
info@chenonceau.com
Website: http://www.chenonceau.com/
It is a really small chateau. When arriving there we were disappointed. Compared to Chambord is like a small house compared to a big building. But after the visit we came to the conclusion that both are very interesting. Chenonceau is plenty of tales about Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de Medicis…
Also it is better to visit on summer and spend half day there for the gardens and surroundings.
Opening hours
The Castle is open every day of the year.
From January 1st to February 5th : 09:30am to 5:00pm.
From February 6th to March 14th : 09:30am to 6:00pm.
From March 15th to My 31st : 09:30am to 7:00pm.
From June 1st to June 30th : 09:00am to 7:30pm.
From July 1st to August 31st : 09:00am to 8:00pm.
From September 1st to September 30th : 09:00am to 7:30pm.
From October 1st to November 7th : 09:00am to 6:00pm.
From November 8th to December 31st : 09:30am to 7:30pm.
Prices
Single Entrance: 10,50 €.
Children (7 to 15) and Students: 8 €.
Wax Museum "The Ladies' Gallery": 12,50 €.
Anaïs
Regetel
Photo : Chenonceau-Galerie © Legnitanais
37150 Chenonceau
Tél. +33 (0)2 47 23 90 07
info@chenonceau.com
Website: http://www.chenonceau.com/
It is a really small chateau. When arriving there we were disappointed. Compared to Chambord is like a small house compared to a big building. But after the visit we came to the conclusion that both are very interesting. Chenonceau is plenty of tales about Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de Medicis…
Also it is better to visit on summer and spend half day there for the gardens and surroundings.
Opening hours
The Castle is open every day of the year.
From January 1st to February 5th : 09:30am to 5:00pm.
From February 6th to March 14th : 09:30am to 6:00pm.
From March 15th to My 31st : 09:30am to 7:00pm.
From June 1st to June 30th : 09:00am to 7:30pm.
From July 1st to August 31st : 09:00am to 8:00pm.
From September 1st to September 30th : 09:00am to 7:30pm.
From October 1st to November 7th : 09:00am to 6:00pm.
From November 8th to December 31st : 09:30am to 7:30pm.
Prices
Single Entrance: 10,50 €.
Children (7 to 15) and Students: 8 €.
Wax Museum "The Ladies' Gallery": 12,50 €.
Anaïs
Regetel
Photo : Chenonceau-Galerie © Legnitanais
CHAMBORD
Built for François 1er. Count 2 or 3hrs for the castle and few more for the surroundings as it is very nice seen from the out side.
The castle is really cold during winter.
We took a French speaking guide and she explained us lots of things about this place: The history and the true-false links with Leonard de Vinci. We were also told that lots of decoration is similar reconstitutions and not the real furniture that was there at the 16th c.*. We loved the visit. The stairs are really funny. The castle is plenty of French history and recalls to François 1er.
There is video explaining the chateau (subtiteled in English) it is also interesting.
*She explained to us that the Kings court used to travel and the furniture travelled with them. So the places used to be empty for a while.
The Château is open all year round except on New Year’s Day, 11 november and Christmas Day.
From 02/01 to 31/03: 9am – 5.15pm
From 01/04 to 10/07: 9am – 6.15pm
From 11/07 to 16/08: 9am – 7.30pm
From 17/08 to 30/09: 9am – 6.15pm
From 01/10 to 31/12: 9am – 5.15pm
Prices:
Low season (02/01 to 31/03/2010) & (01/10 to 31/12/2010) €8.50
High season (01/04 to 30/09/2010) €9.50
The castle is really cold during winter.
We took a French speaking guide and she explained us lots of things about this place: The history and the true-false links with Leonard de Vinci. We were also told that lots of decoration is similar reconstitutions and not the real furniture that was there at the 16th c.*. We loved the visit. The stairs are really funny. The castle is plenty of French history and recalls to François 1er.
There is video explaining the chateau (subtiteled in English) it is also interesting.
*She explained to us that the Kings court used to travel and the furniture travelled with them. So the places used to be empty for a while.
The Château is open all year round except on New Year’s Day, 11 november and Christmas Day.
From 02/01 to 31/03: 9am – 5.15pm
From 01/04 to 10/07: 9am – 6.15pm
From 11/07 to 16/08: 9am – 7.30pm
From 17/08 to 30/09: 9am – 6.15pm
From 01/10 to 31/12: 9am – 5.15pm
Prices:
Low season (02/01 to 31/03/2010) & (01/10 to 31/12/2010) €8.50
High season (01/04 to 30/09/2010) €9.50
Anaïs
Regetel
Regetel
Photo © Legnitanais
March 12, 2010
Restaurant in Paris Polidor
Polidor
41, rue Monsieur Le Prince
75006 Paris
Métro : Odéon (ligne 4 et 10), RER B Luxembourg
Tél : 01-43-26-95-34
lepolidor@aol.com
Restaurant open for over a century with vocation to become a canteen. The prices are very reasonable. It’s good, it's like at home. I took the menu at 22 euros : As starter tomatoes mozzarella bufalla. Then the beef tongue and mash potatoes housemaid and for dessert a very vanilla-tasty vanilla ice. For drink I had sparkling water at 3 euros.
There are the specialties of the house written in marker on white Venetian mirrors, wooden furniture, and water glasses that bring us back to childhood when we used to ask our friend "how old are you?" and read the answer at the bottom of the glass. The answer is still there.
In addition staff proves to be careful.
Geraldine
Hotel des Nations St Germain
41, rue Monsieur Le Prince
75006 Paris
Métro : Odéon (ligne 4 et 10), RER B Luxembourg
Tél : 01-43-26-95-34
lepolidor@aol.com
Restaurant open for over a century with vocation to become a canteen. The prices are very reasonable. It’s good, it's like at home. I took the menu at 22 euros : As starter tomatoes mozzarella bufalla. Then the beef tongue and mash potatoes housemaid and for dessert a very vanilla-tasty vanilla ice. For drink I had sparkling water at 3 euros.
There are the specialties of the house written in marker on white Venetian mirrors, wooden furniture, and water glasses that bring us back to childhood when we used to ask our friend "how old are you?" and read the answer at the bottom of the glass. The answer is still there.
In addition staff proves to be careful.
Geraldine
Hotel des Nations St Germain
Photo © Legnitanais
February 25, 2010
Musée national Eugène Delacroix
Musée national Eugène Delacroix
6 rue de Furstenberg
75006 Paris
Tél. : (standard) 00 33 (0)1 44 41 86 50
Fax : 00 33 (0)1 43 54 36 70
Metro : Saint-Germain-des-Prés (line 4), Mabillon (line 10
Bus : 39, 63, 70, 86, 95, 96
6 rue de Furstenberg
75006 Paris
Tél. : (standard) 00 33 (0)1 44 41 86 50
Fax : 00 33 (0)1 43 54 36 70
Metro : Saint-Germain-des-Prés (line 4), Mabillon (line 10
Bus : 39, 63, 70, 86, 95, 96
I went to visit the last house occupied by the painter. Attention, access to apartments is via a steep staircase. The visit did not take much time, after a few drawings and paintings and his studio already the way out. I stayed a little about my hunger for my taste there was not enough work of the great master to admire however there are long streamers explanatory work and a plan for the city of Paris that gives direction murals and other paintings.
Admission is 5 euros. Closed Tuesdays.
Géraldine
February 19, 2010
Le petit marguery
9 Boulevard de Port Royal
75013 Paris
01.43.31.58.59
Métro : Les Gobelins (ligne 7)
This is one of my favourite places in Paris.
This Gourmet restaurant has about thirty seats and offers very good quality products cooked simply.
You must go visit their extensive website and then call to reserve.
I took the menu at 35 euros starting with the duck foie gras (delicious!) then I ate kidneys with mustard sauce, and finally for dessert, the giant profiterole with vanilla ice cream and homemade hot chocolate.
Geraldine
Hotel des Nations Saint Germain
9 Boulevard de Port Royal
75013 Paris
01.43.31.58.59
Métro : Les Gobelins (ligne 7)
This is one of my favourite places in Paris.
This Gourmet restaurant has about thirty seats and offers very good quality products cooked simply.
You must go visit their extensive website and then call to reserve.
I took the menu at 35 euros starting with the duck foie gras (delicious!) then I ate kidneys with mustard sauce, and finally for dessert, the giant profiterole with vanilla ice cream and homemade hot chocolate.
Geraldine
Hotel des Nations Saint Germain
February 1, 2010
Restaurants in Paris Les Vendanges
Restaurant les Vendanges
40, rue Friant
75014 aris
Metro : Porte d'Orléans (line 4)
01.45.39.59.98
www.lesvendanges-paris.fr
A true classic for the general idea that we can have about French catering. For me the most pleasant about Guy Tardif cooking is the variety of food that make each of his dishes.
I ate a starter, Cassoulet of snails from Burgundy with Tardis beans and sauteed mushrooms. Then I had a main-course, pikeperch watercress sauce and green vegetables.
The Menu is 25 euros.
The bad is that after eating it, there is no more space for a real dessert. So I had a coffee which comes with its little cakes (5 euros). The wine list is impressive in its size and price.
I finished the evening with this idea; I always come to be happy after a good meal.
Géraldine
Hotel des Nations Saint Germain
40, rue Friant
75014 aris
Metro : Porte d'Orléans (line 4)
01.45.39.59.98
www.lesvendanges-paris.fr
A true classic for the general idea that we can have about French catering. For me the most pleasant about Guy Tardif cooking is the variety of food that make each of his dishes.
I ate a starter, Cassoulet of snails from Burgundy with Tardis beans and sauteed mushrooms. Then I had a main-course, pikeperch watercress sauce and green vegetables.
The Menu is 25 euros.
The bad is that after eating it, there is no more space for a real dessert. So I had a coffee which comes with its little cakes (5 euros). The wine list is impressive in its size and price.
I finished the evening with this idea; I always come to be happy after a good meal.
Géraldine
Hotel des Nations Saint Germain
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