Finding Your Way to Loire Kitchen
Loire Kitchen is located in the small farming hamlet of Missé (79100), on the southern edge of the Loire Valley — 5km from the medieval market town of Thouars, and 30 minutes from Saumur.
We collect all guests from Saumur station, free of charge. Arrange it with us when you book and we’ll take care of the rest. Once we collect you, you won’t need to think about transport again until it’s time to go home — with a head full of ideas, a bundle of annotated recipes, and, if you are driving, hopefully a car full of Loire wines.
Getting to Saumur
Saumur is well connected to the rest of Europe by train, air, and road. Below are the most common routes our guests use.
By Train
From Paris Montparnasse
The fastest option. TGV services run regularly and the journey takes around 2 to 2.5 hours. Montparnasse is well connected to the rest of the Paris Metro network and is a straightforward journey from Gare du Nord if you’re arriving by Eurostar.
From Paris Austerlitz
A slower, more scenic, and considerably cheaper alternative. Direct trains run from Austerlitz to Saumur and take around 3 hours. If you’re in no hurry — and by the time you reach us, you won’t be — this is a lovely way to ease into the Loire Valley. Austerlitz is one Metro stop from Gare de Lyon and easily reached from Gare du Nord.
From Nantes
Nantes is our most convenient gateway for European guests flying direct. Trains to Saumur are mostly direct and take around one hour. From Nantes airport a shuttle bus runs every 20 minutes (30 mins in winter) to the city’s train station, taking around 20 minutes. (download the timetable).
From Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
CDG has its own TGV station built directly into the terminal — no need to travel into Paris. Trains south connect to Saumur via a change at St Pierre des Corps (Tours) or Angers. Depending on connections, the total journey takes between 2.5 and 4 hours. This makes CDG a natural hub for guests connecting from elsewhere in Europe or arriving from further afield.
By Air
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is France’s main international gateway, with connections from virtually every major city in the world. CDG has its own TGV station built directly into the terminal — trains south connect to Saumur via a change at St Pierre des Corps (Tours) or Angers. Total journey time is between 2.5 and 4 hours depending on connections.
Paris Orly (ORY) serves many European and domestic routes. Metro line 14 runs direct to Orly from central Paris. A direct bus also connects Orly to Paris Montparnasse, from where TGV trains reach Saumur in around 2 to 2.5 hours.
Nantes Atlantique is our recommended arrival airport for guests flying direct from elsewhere in Europe. Year-round connections operate from many European cities, and the onward train to Saumur takes just one hour.
Tours, Poitiers and La Rochelle are smaller regional airports with limited and mostly seasonal connections. Worth checking if you find a convenient route, but we’d suggest looking at Nantes first.
We recommend checking current routes on Google Flights or Skyscanner as schedules change seasonally.
By Car
Driving is a popular option, particularly for guests coming from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and northern France — and it has an obvious advantage on the way home when it comes to buying wine.
From the UK via ferry or Eurotunnel:
- Calais or Folkestone (Eurotunnel): approximately 6 hours
- Le Havre (ferry from Portsmouth or Newhaven): approximately 4.5 hours
- Caen (ferry from Portsmouth or Poole): approximately 4 hours
The route from all three is straightforward — largely autoroute south through Normandy and into the Loire. We’ll send precise directions once you’re booked.
From the Netherlands and Belgium:
Missé is a comfortable day’s drive. Rotterdam to Missé is approximately 8.5 hours via the motorways south through or around Paris.
Car hire is available at all the airports and TGV stations mentioned above. Saumur station also has car hire and taxi services if you prefer to arrive by train and collect a car locally for day trips during your stay.
By Eurostar
For UK guests, the train-only journey is worth considering. Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord takes around 2.5 hours, from where you connect to either Montparnasse (short Metro ride, then TGV) or Austerlitz (one Metro stop, then direct train). Door to door from central London to Saumur in around 5 to 6 hours — no airports, no queues, no baggage restrictions. Arrive relaxed.
Our Local Station — Thouars
For guests already travelling within France, our local station at Thouars is just 8km from the house. Regional trains connect Thouars to Paris, Tours, Angers, and Saumur. If you can time your arrival, we’re happy to collect you directly from Thouars — just let us know when booking.
Transfers
Saumur is our main hub — collection from Saumur station is always free, and it’s the arrival point we recommend to all guests. Collection from Thouars is also free for those arriving by regional train.
We also offer transfers from Nantes, Tours, Poitiers and Angers airports and stations. For pricing and availability, get in touch when you book.
We’re Happy to Help
Our guests come from all over the world and we’re well-versed in getting people to us from wherever they’re starting. If you’re unsure of the best route, or want advice on coordinating travel, get in touch before you book. We’ll help you figure out what makes most sense.
Once you’re booked, we’ll contact you directly to coordinate your arrival and arrange your pickup from Saumur.
Contact us here — we’re always happy to help plan the journey.
Once you arrive, everything else is taken care of. Find out more about what awaits you at Loire Kitchen →
