My new bride and I are taking our honeymoon in France. We%26#39;re going to be in Paris mostly, but want to take a day trip to see Fontevraud l%26#39;Abbaye. We%26#39;re thinking about training down to Tours, then heading to Chinon to stay overnight in the Hotel Diderot, then going to Fontevraud in the morning. Is it better to rent a car in Tours for the drive to Chinon and Fontevraud or would the train/bus service do just as well?
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I think having a car would be most useful, as it would allow you to do other little side trips as well as seeing Fontevraud l%26#39;Abbaye. Incidentally, the nearby church of St. Benedict offers Gregorian chant.
However, if you would only be renting a car for the day, it will be quite expensive. You might do just as well with a taxi if you decide to skip the bus.
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My reply doesn%26#39;t seem to have taken, so here goes again.
A car would be very useful, as it would allow you to make a few side trips as well as visiting Fontevraud l%26#39;Abbaye. Note that the nearby church of St. Benedict offers Gregorian chant.
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Definitely get a car- it was very easy getting the train down to Tours and renting a car from there, and the drive to Chinon was nice and easy.
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Take the TGV to Tours..treat yourselves to a seat in first class...un petit splurge..I think one of my future vacations in France will involve just riding the TGV%26#39;s!...I love those sleek sisters...buy your tix on the website in advance and pick them up at the station at least a half hour before departure..Take the exact same credit card you used online to purchase for ID purposes and also the printout of your reservation confirmation...Compostez your tickets ( validate them in the little machine before you go to the track area)and enjoy the ride...We got two types of discounts for our first class seats ....one an advance purchase ( 30 days in advance) and one a decouverte a deux which you two would qualify for as well...That%26#39;s for two people travelling the same itinerary together and making a roundtrip...
Then arrange a rental car as close to the train station in Tours as possible..Avis often has their agency in or by the terminals in France..Europcar or something booked thru AutoEurope can also be good...We got a good deal thru Hertz..Again, start reserving early in the states online...continue to shop and take your best deal shortly before you travel..don%26#39;t forget to cancel any reservations you don%26#39;t intend to use with the rental car companies..Check the exact HOURS of operation at the specific pickup location you intend to use....In that neck of the woods, lunch hours often mean the agency is CLOSED for two hours midday...And often on Saturdays,too, so prepare to make your schedule meet theirs...The driving is easy to Chinon and l%26#39;Abbaye as well...If you have some time, you might enjoy the gardens at Villandry on the way back to Tours...Perso, I think you%26#39;ll get more out of your trip if you rent a car...And like I said, the driving is not particularly hard...DO learn French road signs....Some of course, are international...But others are a bit more of a French mystery..Most guidebooks will teach you about this..Michelin does, as I recall...NEVER ever try to beat a train....You%26#39;ll sometimes come across a very informal looking crossing with only a little gate to stop you...Perhaps a sign will say that the TGV passes that way...Those puppies are going 315 km/hr...They stop for nothing..
In fact, in the train station while waiting on the platform for your train, you may hear an announcement that says %26#39;Preparez-vous pour le passage du TGV%26#39;...This means grab the nearest bench, lightpole, or tree and hang on....Those trains do NOT slow down...
Bon Voyage..
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