Ten places to sleep near the Loire castles
After a day spent visiting Chambord, Azay-le-Rideau, Amboise or Chenonceau, it’s time to find a nice hotel to make the most of this getaway in the Loire Valley. Here are ten good addresses as close as possible to the castles, between 50 euros and 270 euros per night.
Randomly meandering the river and the forests, the Loire Valley is home to a thousand castles, from the best known, Chambord, Cheverny, Chenonceau, Blois, Amboise, to the most intimate, such as Troussay, the smallest. To discover them, each at their own pace, ten more or less starred hotel stops. While waiting for the opening, in June, of Fleur de Loire in Blois, five-star eco-responsible restaurant by starred chef Christophe Hay.
Read alsoWhich castles of the Loire should you absolutely visit?
The Brame de Sologne: for serenity
Wooden cladding, green roof, reduced plastic, well done! Near the Château de Chambord, here is a three-star as we like them, unpretentious, warm, with 20 rooms including 6 very pleasant suites. As a bonus, a hammam and sauna wellness area, which can be privatized. And, the good idea to satisfy small and big appetites in the absence of a real table, well-stocked aperitif boards for two… at 19 € or for dinner, a large choice of jars from the house Bocaux du bocage, with starter, main course, dessert, to be enjoyed in your room or in the restaurant, €26. With good wines sold at very reasonable prices. Hearty buffet breakfasts. From €80.
The Slab of Sologne, 4 bis route de Sologne, 41500 Muides-sur-Loire. Such. : 02 55 59 05 24.
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Hotel L’Orée des Châteaux: mini-price, maxi-smile
Recently renovated, near Chambord and Cheverny, this two-star hotel is just as suitable for stays as a couple or a family thanks to its dedicated rooms and apartments. The menu of its restaurant offers revisited pizzas with regional products. The buffet breakfast also mixes sweets, mostly regional, savory and sweet. The smiling, attentive and efficient welcome quickly wins the support of the most grumpy. From €50.
Hotel L’Oree des Chateaux, 9 bis route de Blois, 41250, Bracieux. Such. : 02 54 46 40 19.
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Le Saint-Florent: calm nights for sweet tooth
Like many hotels that have taken advantage of confinement to get a makeover, this three-star Logis-certified (Cosy and Gourmet categories) shines like a whistle, with its 17 spruce, renovated rooms. Admittedly not very charming, but good for a stay almost in the shade of the castles with its privatized sauna and the possibility of renting bicycles. On the restaurant side, short menu, punctured by the chef, owner of the place. Very decent menu at €25 with succulent desserts. Room from 70 €. Who says better ?
Logis Le Saint-Florent, 14 rue de la Chabardière, 41250 Mont-près-Chambord. Such. : 02 54 70 81 00.
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Hôtel de la Sologne: in the heart of Beaugency
Its harmonious 18th century stone facade does not distract from the historic district of Beaugency, a small town renowned for its 15th and 16th century castle and its Renaissance residences. Pleasant to reach the center on foot, in the evening, for dinner or simply for a walk. The 15 rooms, some of which are family rooms for four, of good size, quiet, with their large bathroom justify its 3 stars. From €65.
Sologne Hotel, Place Saint Firmin, 45190 Beaugency. Such. : 02 38 44 50 27.
The Clos d’Amboise: at Gargantua
Another favourite, this 17th century patriarchal house, where lived Jean Langlois, Grand Equerry and Marshal of Logis to Louis XIV and Louis XV, which has become a cozy four-star hotel. Some of its rooms and suites relate to the castle. An exceptional location in the heart of the city, close to all the centers of interest including the royal castle, one of the three Loire castles (the other two being Chambord and Blois), Leonardo da Vinci’s Clos Lucé or again the pretty shopping streets. A stay with small onions, in the large park where the roses flirt with large cedars. In the evening, you can savor the chef’s specialties either in the elegant dining room or on the terrace. First menu €30, à la carte, start at €50. Room from €152.
The Clos d’Amboise, 27 rue Rabelais, 37400 Amboise. Such. : 02 47 30 10 20.
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Read alsoThe Château d’Amboise, a royal window on the history of France
The Château de la Giraudière: large house, warm welcome
Five rooms and suites in the heart of this pretty 18th century building surrounded by a landscaped park with century-old oak trees and 600 hectares of land. Candlelight dinner in the chateau or on the terrace in summer, a well-prepared and good breakfast greatly contribute to the pleasures of your stay. Loan of a bicycle to spin to Chambord, organic courtesy products from Maison Caulières, like at the Hôtel de Crillon, and since this spring a swimming pool to cool off after having surveyed nearby Chambord. From €180.
Castle of the Giraudiere, La Giraudiere, 41220 Villeny. Such. : 06 37 21 34 85.
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Les Hautes Roches: chic troglodyte
Overlooking the Loire, partly nestled in the rock, like the surrounding troglodyte houses, this Relais & Châteaux combines the charm of 14 very designer rooms and suites, including a troglodyte part, and a starred restaurant, that of chef Didier Edon. The perfect setting for “traveling through the castles” and visiting the cellars close to Vouvray, one of the most famous Loire wines, still or sparkling. In the restaurant, the chef intelligently combines local products and seafood (he is Breton). His first 5-course menu is €76. A la carte, start at €100. Room from €270.
The High Rocks, 86 quai de la Loire, 37210 Rochecorbon. Such. : + 02 47 52 88 88.
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Grand Hotel du Lion d’Or in Romorantin: History of France and family
Residence of the first aldermen of the city, built in the 16th century, by a nobleman, friend of François 1er, the Renaissance building, has been an inn since 1774, Les Clément, star father, mother attentive to the decoration and daughter in the service pamper the guests of the 16 rooms and suites at this Relais & Châteaux, one of the first members of the chain. Gourmet stay with lovely local cuisine, menu from €120. Organization of tailor-made experiences possible, listening to the roar of the deer in a shelter in the forest, flying over the castles in a Cessna or hot air balloon. Room, from €210.
Grand Hotel du Lion d’Or, 69 Rue Georges Clémenceau, 41200 Romorantin-Lanthenay. Such. : 02 54 94 15 15.
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Relais de Chambord: the neighbor of François 1er
Small Luxury Hotel of the world, this four-star hotel is the only hotel within the castle grounds. A handful of its 55 rooms and suites open onto the residence of François 1uh, others on the Cosson, the watercourse separating it from the castle, and some, less glamorous on the car park. The more adventurous will opt for the toue (a sort of flat-bottomed boat) – cabin on the water… Having won the concession for the premises, belonging to the Chambord estate, for 50 years, the businessman Frédéric Jousset, engaged the services of the architect Jean-Michel Willmotte to repair the very aging Hôtel Saint Michel. Three tables: gastronomic (discovery menu €90) brasserie (salads, burgers, sandwiches — and bar on the terrace. Treat yourself to a Nuxe spa for a stay, royal or almost. Favorites for rooms 122 and 215. From €172 without view of the castle, €290 with.
The Relay of Chambord, place Saint-Louis, 41250 Chambord. Such. : 02 54 81 01 01.
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Les Sources de Cheverny: in three pedal strokes, the castle
Opened in 2020, between woods, vineyards and pastures, the five-star hotel has 49 rooms and suites scattered between the 18th century Château du Breuil and chic cabins. Two tables: “Le Favori” which won a star (menu from €120), “l’Auberge” bistronomic with beautiful grilled meats (menu from €32), have even added a wine bar. Swimming pools, horses, bicycles, boat rides on the Loire, hot air balloon flights, and a superb spa opening onto nature. The tone is set, bobo de bobo. From €200 in low season, prices soar at weekends and in summer.
The Springs of Cheverny, 23 route de Fougères, 41700 Cheverny. Such. : 02 54 44 20 20.
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Read alsoBath in nature at the Sources de Cheverny, for a royal interlude