Welcome to the Join Us in France Travel Podcast. Today, Annie Sargent and Claire Ramsdell discuss an exciting and unique way to explore the Loire Valley in France - without a car. Known for its charming chateaux, picturesque vineyards, and idyllic countryside, the Loire Valley is a popular destination for tourists from all around the world. However, many visitors rely on rental cars to get around, which can be costly and stressful, especially for those who are not accustomed to driving on French roads. But fear not, because there are plenty of alternative ways to experience the beauty and history of the Loire Valley without a car. In this episode, we'll be sharing tips and tricks for getting around using public transportation, biking, and even walking. We'll also be highlighting some of the top attractions and hidden gems in the region, from majestic castles to quaint villages. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor to France, you won't want to miss this episode. So sit back, relax, and get ready to discover the magic of the Loire Valley - car-free! Table of Contents for this Episode [00:00:00] Intro [00:00:36] Today on the podcast [00:00:54] Podcast supporters [00:01:12] After the interview [00:01:50] Annie and Claire [00:02:23] Loire Valley by bus [00:03:02] Loire Valley by train [00:03:07] Claire’s blog [00:04:12] Public transportation [00:05:51] How do you visit Loire Valley chateaux without a car? [00:07:27] Sound and Light Immersive Light Show [00:08:17] The shuttle [00:10:12] The Castle Pass [00:12:56] Busradar app, blablacar app, trainline app, sncf app [00:14:36] e-sim for data [00:14:57] Paper ticket for the train? [00:16:07] Chambord [00:17:55] Clos Luće and Leonardo DaVinci [00:19:48] Catherine De Medici and Amboise Castle [00:21:51] Getting back to Paris on Blablacar [00:22:33] There are always backups [00:23:50] Don’t use public transportation if your schedule is tight and inflexible [00:24:19] Anything that didn’t work out? [00:26:46] Don’t try to visit too many [00:28:29] Not like big cities, not always open [00:31:02] Hotel Le Pavillon [00:31:53] Tips for visiting France [00:33:30] Her previous trips to France [00:34:14] Loire Valley on a bike [00:35:07] There are a lot of campsites in the Loire Valley [00:36:09] Outro [00:36:38] New patrons [00:36:52] Patreons rewards [00:39:18] Preparing a trip to France? [00:40:18] Annie’s GPS self-guided tours on the VoiceMap app [00:41:09] Travel question of the week, prescription medication [00:43:13] Passport renewals delays [00:43:55] It’s strike season in France again! [00:45:48] Why nobody knows how big a strike next week is going to be [00:47:03] Frequent strikers in France [00:49:04] Nutritional labels [00:52:45] Personal Update [00:53:44] Share the podcast trailer [00:54:22] Next week on the podcast [00:54:37] Copyright Topics discussed in the magazine part of the podcast this week Do you need to do anything special to bring your medications to France? How to deal with strikes in France Nutri-Score food labels #podcast, #france, #loirevalley, #budget, #travel