After the Marathon Poitiers-Futuroscope: The Loire Valley

The Route: Poitiers → Tours (2 nights, with day trips to Amboise and Chenonceaux) → Poitiers or Paris Logistics: TGV from Poitiers to Tours, about 45 minutes. Regional trains from Tours reach Amboise and Chenonceaux. Check the timetables, as some services are infrequent. Marathon Month: April Duration: 2 nights

Poitiers ──(TGV, ≈45 min)──> Tours ──(TER)──> Amboise
                               │
                               └──(TER)──> Chenonceaux

The châteaux of the Loire are the reason most visitors come to this region, and several can be reached from Tours without a car. After a marathon, do one a day. Château visits mean stairs, gravel paths and a lot of standing, so go slowly. In mid-April the gardens are only starting to flower, so this is a trip for the buildings and their history.

Day One: Tours

Arrive in Tours, leave your bags near the station and keep the day short: the old quarter around Place Plumereau, the cathedral and an early dinner.

Day Two: Amboise

Regional trains run from Tours to Amboise. The royal château stands on a rock above the Loire, and Leonardo da Vinci spent his last years at the Clos Lucé, a manor a short walk away that now tells his story. The walk up to the château is short but steep; take it slowly.

Day Three: Chenonceau

Trains on the line towards Vierzon stop at Chenonceaux, a short walk from the Château de Chenonceau, which is built across the River Cher on a row of arches. The visit is mostly on the level. Catch a train back to Tours afterwards and continue your journey.

Where to Stay and Eat

Tours has the widest choice of hotels and restaurants, and staying there saves moving bags every day. Try the local goat's cheese and a glass of Vouvray or Chinon.

Getting Back