Calais - Rouen - Saumur - Blois - Chartres - Calais
Day 1 - From Calais to Rouen (about 220 kms) or beyond
We suggest you try to cross over during the morning to be in
France by about lunchtime. Once in France you can either take the scenic route and arrive in Rouen for dinner, or take the motorway and be there in three hours.
If you decide on the scenic route, take the coastal road, stopping briefly at Cap Griz Nez to take in the views by the lighthouse, and then continue past Boulogne on the RN1 to the small hilltop town of Montreuil-sur-Mer. Here, park the car and have a walk around Montreuil's cobbled streets and see its charming old houses and ramparts. From Montreuil you still have the best part of 2 hours to go to Rouen, and, since this part to the countryside is less interesting, get on the motorway just north of Abbeville until you reach Rouen.
Stay at the Hotel Notre Dame which is right in the heart of Rouen. It does not have a garage but there is a public locked car park nearby. Another alternative, particularly if you will be arriving in Rouen late, might be to stay at the
Hotel Eden which is about 5 kms north of the city and easier to find. It has a restaurant and ample free private parking.
Yet another alternative, if you prefer not to stay in a big city, would be to go past Rouen up to Brionne or Bernay, a further three quarters to one hour beyond on the way to Le Mans. We have nice properties at both places.
Rouen
The interesting part of Rouen is "Vieux Rouen", its medieval centre. Start at the Place du Vieux Marche (the market square) and walk down Rue du Gros Horloge, with Its well known landmark, the Gros Horloge, an astronomical clock which dates back to the 16th century. Then on to the Cathedrale Notre Dame, one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in all of France. Then wander around the narrow streets where there are more than 800 timber framed houses. Of course, as a major city and capital of Haute Normandie, Rouen also has several museums, notable amongst these are the Musee des Beaux-Arts and the Musee de la Ceramique.
Day 2 - From Rouen to Saumur (about 200 kms)
Take the N138 past Alencon and on to Le Mans. Here we suggest you make a stop. Le Mans is very well known for its 24 hour race, but what is less well known is that it has a very interesting centre. Park in one of the several car parks near the Cathedrale St. Julien and have a walk around the town, in particular the area around the Grande Rue, before continuing on your way to Saumur.
Stay at the
Hotel de Londres which is in a central location and has private parking. There are many restaurants a short walk from the hotel.
Spend the afternoon/evening in Saumur. If you arrive early walk up to the castle.
Day 3 - Stay at Saumur - Visit Saumur and Angers
Today spend the morning walking around the bustling streets of Saumur and/or visit the castle if you didn't go there the night before. Then drive west along the southern bank of the Loire to Angers and visit the Chateau d'Angers, a 13th century fortress. Then have a walk around the town of Angers, and possibly have dinner there, before returning to Saumur, preferably along the northern bank of the Loire. .
Day 4 - Stay at Saumur - Visit Azay-le-Rideau, Villandy, Chinon
Today go west. The two most interesting and attractive chateaux between Saumur and Tours are Azay-le-Rideau and Villandry. Azay is a 16th century fairy tale type castle in a lovely setting by the River Indre. Even if you decide not to visit the chateau it is worth a stop and walk around the small town that has grown around it. Villandry is also an attractive grand building but is even better known for its gardens. The chateau at Chinon is just the remains of a 12th century fortress. You can visit it but since you can't see them all skip this one. However, the town itself is interesting and worth a visit.
Return to hotel at Saumur.
Day 5 - Saumur - Blois (Chitenay) (190 kms)
Drive south, detouring around Tours on the way to the hotel at Chitenay 13 kms south of Blois. This route will take you through several interesting small towns Head south towards Montreuil-Bellay, then on to Loudon, Richelieu, Loches, Montrichard and on to Chitenay.
Stay at the
Auberge du Centre in Chitenay. This auberge has parking and very good restaurant and has proved very popular with our customers over the years.
If time permits, drive in to Blois to visit the town.
Day 6 - Stay at Chitenay - Visit Chenonceau, Amboise, Tours
The outstanding chateaux to visit from here are Chenonceau and Chambord, BUT they are in opposite directions! So, today, we suggest you only go to Chenonceau and then on to Amboise. Amboise also has an interesting chateau, but you can just visit the lively town. Then, if you feel so inclined, you could go into Tours for the evening, or just a brief visit. As by this time it will be late afternoon or early evening make sure you go to the old part, "Vieux Tours", which is where the bars and restaurants are and the life is. Do not be drawn into the modern centre either side of the Rue Nationale which will be dead. The downside of visiting Tours is that you will have at least an hours drive back to base. Alternatively, just go back to Blois for the evening.
Visiting Chenonceau requires at least two hours, preferably three. The chateau, which juts out onto the River Cher, was built in the early 16th century on the site of a fortified mill. There is much to see in the chateau and grounds.
Day7 - Chitenay to Chartres (140 kms) - Visit Chambord
Today make your way the 30 or so kms to visit the Chateau de Chambord before heading north to Chartres. There is nothing of great interest between Chambord and Chartres so we suggest you just head for Chateaudun along the D925 and join the N10.
Chambord is one of France's greatest palaces and stands in a vast park enclosed by a 32 km wall. It was built in the early 16th century. Allow yourself at least two hours.
Chartres' main claim to fame is its magnificent cathedral, which Rodin called the "Acropolis of France". But Vieux Chartres also has some well restored old tradesmen's houses in its narrow streets, some dating from the 17th century.
Stay at the
Hotel le Chatelet which is central and has a garage.
Day 8 - Chartres to Calais (350 kms) - Visit Giverny or Boulogne
About 90 kms north of Chartres, without having to go too far out of your way, is Monet's Gardens at Giverny. You could visit it but you will need at least 3 hours and you will still have 260 kms to go to Calais.
Another interesting stop on the way might be Boulogne, just half an hour from Calais. In particular the walled old town. If you have time you can walk round its ramparts.
Arrive back at Calais for your ferry crossing.
