The Loire Valley is one of the most accessible destinations from Paris. Less than an hour by train from the nearest towns, the region can be explored from the capital for weekends or longer stays. Renaissance castles, riverside villages, vineyards and open landscapes. It all starts with a journey, which we can help you organize.
Here are the different options for getting to the Loire Valley from Paris, depending on your budget, your pace and your point of departure.
This guide is entirely independent, based on our experience and research. We visit the region anonymously and pay all our expenses.
Summary of options for getting to the Loire Valley from Paris
You have four main options:
- The train: fast, economical, ideal if you plan to stay in one city and explore another on foot or by local transport. Tours is 1 hour from Paris. → Compare train timetables
- A car: essential for exploring castles, villages and vineyards at your own pace. Allow 2h30 to 3h from Paris, depending on destination. → Compare car rental deals
- Organized transfers and excursions: practical for groups or travelers who want direct arrival without worrying about logistics. → See excursions from Paris
- Plane: relevant for international travelers arriving at a Paris airport or wishing to fly directly to Tours or Nantes. → Compare flights
WHERE TO STAY IN THE Loire Valley
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
Option 1 - Train: the fastest solution
The train is still the solution we recommend first and foremost to reach the Loire Valley from Paris. Connections are frequent, durations short and prices reasonable if you book in advance. From Gare Montparnasse, the TGV takes you to Tours in around 1h and Angers in 1h30. We've often opted for this option, and we're very happy with it, especially for short weekends.
Main departure stations in Paris
- Gare Montparnasse: for Tours, Angers, Le Mans and Saint-Pierre-des-Corps (the TGV station near Tours)
- Gare d'Austerlitz: for Blois, Amboise, Orléans and intermediate Intercity stations
Durations and destinations
- Orléans: ~1h from Austerlitz (Intercités)
- Tours: ~1h from Montparnasse (TGV)
- Blois: ~1h15 from Austerlitz (Intercités)
- Angers: ~1h30 from Montparnasse (TGV)
- Nantes: ~2h from Montparnasse (TGV)
Prices and booking tips
Rates vary widely depending on the reservation date. By TGV, expect to pay between €20 and €80 for a Paris-Tours journey, depending on the time of purchase. Intercités tickets are generally cheaper. We advise you to book at least 3 weeks in advance for weekends and French school vacation periods, when trains fill up quickly. In addition, SNCF tickets can be exchanged or refunded depending on the type of fare chosen. Check the conditions at the time of booking.
Compare timetables and book your train on SNCF Connect
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars - one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a fairly compact car (many villages have narrowed the road).
- Think aboutfull insurance (parking in big cities is really tight).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Option 2 - The car: freedom of movement
The car is by far the most practical way to explore the Loire Valley in depth. Most châteaux, villages and wineries are isolated, with no public transport links. We systematically recommend this option for stays of at least 3 days, when you want to move freely from one site to another. From Paris, the drive is easy and the freeways well-maintained.
Main routes and travel times
- A10 (Aquitaine freeway): towards Tours (~2h30), Blois (~2h), Amboise (~2h30)
- A11 (autoroute de l'Océane): direction Angers (~3h), Nantes (~3h45)
- A10 or N152: towards Orléans (~1h30)
These times are indicative, excluding traffic. Leaving Paris in the early morning or late afternoon on a Friday, allow an extra 30min to 1h depending on the period.
Rent a car
If you don't have your own vehicle, rental is a very affordable option from Paris. We recommend that you compare offers in advance to find the best rates. We have several branches in Paris and at the Paris airports.
Compare car rental deals for Loire
You can also consult our complete guide: how to rent a car in France.
Option 3 - Organized transfer from Paris
For travelers who want to reach the Loire Valley without having to deal with driving or connections, a transfer or organized excursion from Paris is a comfortable option to consider. This type of service is particularly suited to groups, families or international visitors who have little time and want to arrive directly at the sites. We offer this option as a comfortable alternative to train and car.
Some packages include a visit to the most beautiful châteaux of the Loire Valley (our article here), such as Chambord, Chenonceau or Villandry, from Paris, either as a day trip or a multi-day excursion.
See transfers and excursions from Paris to the Loire Valley
A LITTLE MORE patience
All the photos, maps, information, good addresses to make your stay in the Loire Valley a success, will soon be gathered in a single ebook!
If you wish to be informed of the publication of our guide on the Loire, register:
Option 4 - From airports
If you're arriving by plane, there are two possible scenarios: either you transit a Paris airport before arriving in the Loire by car or train, or you fly directly to an airport in the region. Here are the details for each situation.
It's time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
From Paris-Beauvais Airport
Paris-Beauvais airport is about 80km north of Paris. The most direct way to reach the Loire Valley from this airport is by car. Allow around 3h to Tours and 3h30 to Angers via the Paris ring road or the A86 bypass. You can also reach Paris by shuttle (approx. 1h15) and then take the train from Montparnasse or Austerlitz. We recommend renting a car directly from the airport if you plan to explore the region independently from the moment you arrive.
Rent a car at Paris-Beauvais Airport
From Paris-CDG airport
Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport is France's largest and best-connected airport. From CDG, you can reach Gare Montparnasse by RER B then Metro (approx. 1h15 to 1h30), then take a TGV to Tours or Angers. By car, the direct journey from CDG to Tours takes around 3 hours, without crossing Paris if you take the A86 bypass and then the A10.
Rent a car at Paris-CDG airport
From Paris-Orly Airport
Orly is the best-positioned Parisian airport to reach the Loire. It is located south of Paris, on the A10 freeway. By car, allow around 2h15 for Tours and 2h45 for Angers. Alternatively, from Orly you can take the T7 tramway to Gare Montparnasse and the RER C (approx. 45min to 1h) to catch a TGV train. We consider Orly to be the most convenient starting point for travelers arriving by plane and wishing to rent a car on the spot.
Rent a car at Paris-Orly Airport
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
Loire Valley airports
Two airports offer direct access to the region or its immediate vicinity.
- Tours Val de Loire airport: ideally located for exploring the heart of the region. Tours is 5km away, Amboise 25km. It mainly handles charter and low-cost flights in season, with connections from a number of British and Northern European cities. Outside the high season, supply is limited.
- Nantes Atlantique airport: well served all year round from many European cities. Nantes is 10km from the airport, while Angers is around 1 hour's drive. We recommend this airport for travelers wishing to start their tour in the western part of the region.
Compare prices and availability for flights to Loire Valley
Once you're here: getting around the Loire Valley
Once you've arrived in the region, you'll need to think ahead about how to get around. The Loire Valley is vast, with sites scattered over several hundred kilometers. Here are the main options, depending on your travel style.
The car: the most flexible option
The car remains the most efficient way to visit the region at your own pace. The majority of castles, estates and villages are not otherwise accessible, or require long walks from the nearest train stations. Every time we visit, we notice that the secondary roads also offer beautiful panoramic views, away from the main roads. To rent a vehicle locally, there are agencies in the main towns such as Tours, Angers and Blois.
Compare car rental deals for Loire
Pick-up excursions
If you don't want to drive, organized excursions are a good alternative for discovering the region's castles and villages without having to worry about getting around. Service providers offer tours departing from Tours, Angers or Amboise, with pick-up at your accommodation. This option is particularly well-suited for a day focused on one or two castles, or for travelers who wish to benefit from the explanations of a local guide. We particularly recommend it for visiting Chambord and Chenonceau in a single day, two sites that are difficult to combine effectively without a car.
La Loire à Vélo
The Loire à Vélo is a 900km cycling route that follows the river from Nevers to Saint-Nazaire. It's one of Europe's most popular greenways, and for good reason: the route is flat, well signposted and passes close to numerous castles. You can choose to cycle just one stage, from Blois to Amboise for example, or organize an entire holiday around cycling. Rental companies are available in all the region's major cities.
Our tips for cycling the Loire here
Hot-air ballooning: see the Loire from the sky
For a completely different perspective on the region, hot-air ballooning is an experience in a class of its own. Flying over the castles and meanders of the river at sunrise or late afternoon gives a new dimension to the landscapes seen from the ground. Several service providers offer flights from Amboise, Saumur or Blois. We recommend it as a highlight of your stay, to be booked in advance. Our dedicated article here.
See hot-air balloon flights over the Loire Valley
Further information
Now that you know how to get to the Loire Valley, it's time to plan your stay. Here are our articles:
- What to do in the Loire Valley: must-sees and activities
- The most beautiful castles of the Loire Valley
- The most beautiful towns on the Loire
- Where to stay in the Loire Valley: recommended luxury hotels
PLAN YOUR TRIP IN
Loire Valley
The castles of the Loire Valley
Other places to explore
Practice
SHE WROTE THE ARTICLE Julie
