audreyleigh99

My sister and I are looking for a good place to do a one night getaway from Paris. We want someplace that will be small enough to give us a contrast to Paris, but that is accessible by train, has hotels or B&Bs, and has enough to keep us busy for one and a half days. After reading several dozen posts on this board about Loire valley destinations, Amboise seems like it might fit the bill. Many have posted saying Amboise is smaller and more quaint than Blois or Angers. The only negative post I read said that Amboise felt a bit touristy and artificial. Any thoughts?

Also, does anyone have good budget (80 euros or less for a double) hotel or B&B recommendations in Amboise? Since we would be arriving by train it would need to be in the town itself, not several kilometers outside town like many I have seen.

I know I posted a similar question (where to do a getaway from Paris) a few days ago but thought I'd post with Amboise in the title to get some specific feedback. Thanks!

Barb_in_Ga

My husband and I stayed 2 nights in Amboise after a Parisian visit. It was a lovely town, and we enjoyed a visit to Leonardo da Vinci's home and museum. We had a car and visited Chenonceux and one other castle, plus a wine co-op in Vouvray. We then took the train back to Paris from Tours. The b&b where we stayed was about 120 euro/nite.

Travelnut

"La Florentine" is a nice inexpensive restaurant, located sort of under the chateau (but facing it, and other restaurants on same street). We ate there twice - pasta, veal w/mushrooms, escargot, wine. Many dishes are about 7-11E, and a 50cl carafe of wine will serve maybe 1.5 glass per person.

The inexpensive hotels on the chateau side of the bridge face the busy street that follows the river. There is construction being done on the bridge at that juncture as well. It is about a 20-min walk from the train station to the chateau side. If you take a taxi from the train station, the driver may have to detour down to the next bridge, as only one way traffic was open on the nearby bridge. Our fare was about 9-10E. We stayed at Le Manoir les Minimes, in a king-bed (can be made up as twins) room for 120E - their breakfast is 11E pp. It is a really nice inn and a good experience, and walkable to town (2 blocks or so).

On the busy street along the river (street name?? Road D751) there is a small grocery store where you can buy snacks.

I am not sure you will be "busy" for a full day & half. We visited the chateau and grounds, then the Clos Luce. We walked around a good bit, back streets, across the bridge, etc. Ate dinner at La Florentine. I don't know if there are any other museums or sights there; we did have a car and left for most of the day to see Chambord and Cheverny.

We also stayed in Chinon, which I liked a lot, but again, not very many museums. We climbed up to the chateau (museum there) and ate at la Maison Rouge (good and not expensive; friendly cat, fyi). There is a wine-making museum but it was closed for the season (after Sept 30). There is a vineyard - perhaps they give tours? <u>www.coulydutheil-chinon.com/eng/maisonus.htm</u>
On the 3rd Sunday there is a nice brocante market along the river. A lot of stores and restaurants are either closed Sunday or open for limited hours.

We enjoyed both towns but you should expect to have some 'down' time just relaxing on a park bench or enjoying the panoramic views from the chateaux.

audreyleigh99

Thanks so much for the info Barb and Travelnut. Travelnut, your description was fantastic, thanks for all the recommendations. I am not really worried that we won't have enough to do, I'm sure we will be really busy in Paris and this will be a nice relaxing contrast. We are fine with just wandering around or relaxing on a bench and stuffing ourselves with pastries . If the weather permits I was thinking we might rent bikes and bike into the countryside, or even go for a run (or, more accurately, my sister will run and I will pant along behind; she runs cross-country for school). My major concern at this point is finding a decent, affordable hotel or b&amp;b, they seem a bit pricey. I've heard a ton of great things about Le Manoir les Minimes but it is out of our price range. Does anyone have any suggestions? Based on Travelnut's comments I am maybe hoping to find a b&amp;b, if all the budget hotels are on a noisy main street with construction nearby (sounds like my apartment at home, I was hoping to escape that!).

audreyleigh99

I forgot, two questions for Travelnut (or anyone who knows): do you think we will be able to walk across the bridge if we walk from the train station to town? And do you think budget hotels (if there are any) on the non-chateau side of the river would be more desireable given the location of the budget hotels on the chateau side? Thanks!

GregC

In June, 2003 we stayed overnight in Amboise on our way from Paris to Biarritz. We loved the town and the hotel (Hotel Bellevue). The Hotel Bellevue was right on the river and adjacent to the castle. As I recall the hotel was very reasonably priced.

StCirq

We've stayed in the past at the Lion d'Or in Amboise and found it very reasonable - but it's been about 8 years since we last stayed there. Here are some other suggestions:

http://www.renaissance-amboise.com/S...AMBRES%20HOTES

indytravel

While in Amboise in 2001 I saw the Chateau and the Clos Luce.

In addition I saw the Enchanted House. It's a quirky museum that has several rooms stuffed with old toys, dolls, games, etc.

There is also a Town Hall Museum that's supposed to have some Aubusson tapestries and other antiques in it. It was only open regularly in the summer. The rest of the year you needed to contact the tourist office for an appointment to see it. I didn't do this as I was only there for a day trip.

As far as hotels, I would think the ones across the river from the Chateau would have better views of the Chateau. This was certainly the case in Saumur.

Travelnut

We took a taxi upon arrival because it was pouring rain. However, we walked across the bridge, pulling our rollies, to the train station in about 20 minutes, no problem at all (in good weather). You can pull a street map off www.mappy.com and be fine using it.

There are at least two budget hotels across the river...hmm... Blason? and..?

Also, there's always the chance that the construction has been completed by the time you're going. (it is on the bridge itself, not the roads).

audreyleigh99

Sorry for neglecting my post for so long, work has been crazy, leaving no time for travel planning. I really need to find a job that just lets me travel . Anyway, I have been doing more research on hotels/b&amp;bs. I could not really find much info (in English, at least) or any pictures of Lion d'or or Hotel Bellevue. I found Blason, it looks like a standard budget hotel, if the location is good it may work.

I did come across two places that look really cute and affordable: hotel le clos d'amboise (http://www.leclosamboise.com/Default.asp) and a b&amp;b listed on the Amboise tourism office site run by Mr. and Mrs. Petrilli (http://www.amboise-valley.com)...has anyone heard anything about these? Their locations look fairly central (i.e. walkable to the center), as long as the maps are not deceiving?.. Also any more affordable restaurant recommendations are most welcome. Thanks!

cigalechanta

I've read good things about Blason, and ask for a room facing the street. Leonardo da Vinci ended his days in this town.
Nearby Chateau de Nazelles is also not expensive in Nazelles-N&eacute;gron. The independent wing is supposed to be more attractive.

audreyleigh99

Thanks cigalechanta, Chateau de Nazelles looks beautiful and it is 90 euros for a double (10 euros over budget, but it includes breakfast so it would be okay). Do you happen to know if it is a walkable distance from the center of Amboise - it looks like it is just on the other side of the river, but I'm not sure.

cigalechanta

It's 3km nothbound from N&eacute;gron and it's behind the post office. It's open all year but they serve dinner only by appointment and only in summer, though they might do exceptions. There is a pool but walking to Amboise, I doubt it.

timpr

Amboise is still big compared to Chenonceaux. Stayed at La Roserie last year, only about 100 yards from, in my opinion, the most beautiful chateau in the area. Four of us shared a huge suite, parlor + 2 bedrooms for E168. Other rooms significantly less expensive. Train stop 1 block away. Food marvelous.

audreyleigh99

Yeah, 3km is kind of far out of town for walking, and since we are going to Amboise via train and won't have a car it probably won't work. Oh well, at this point I think I have gotten enough positive feedback on Amboise and done enough research that I think I'm just going to stick with Amboise and go with either hotel le clos d'amboise and the Petrilli b&amp;b. They look nice and even if no one has heard of them it is only for one night.....

Travelnut

I looked your two options up on Mappy.com
The Petrilli B&amp;B is at least 2 km outside Amboise, above town.
The Clos d'Amboise is a much better option for being central and w/o a car.
I'm nearly certain we walked along rue Rabelais on our wanderings. I used an internet cafe on rue Nationale, and Rabelais is just above that.

Travelnut

Another option for Amboise...
http://www.labreche-amboise.com/
Rooms for two - 63-64E (twins?)

Not sure about this one, might be a bit old.

Author: Sally
Date: 06/14/2003, 10:09 pm
Message: We stayed at Hotel La Breche and liked it very much. It is a three minute walk from the train station and a pleasant 10- 15 minute walk across the Loire River Bridge to the center of town and the chateau. When we stayed there, Amboise was very crowded , and it was nice to stay a little away from the crowds. The dinner the La Breche was very good and reasonably priced- actually better food than at the other places we ate in Amboise. There is a pretty garden by the side of the hotel with a huge hollow tree- large enough to stand inside, and a small pond with gold fish and at that time, baby ducks swimming in it. This would be a great place for children to play. There is also a ping pong table in the yard.

Author: Digital_Traveler
Date: 06/14/2003, 11:28 pm
Message: We stayed at Le Breche last year and found it to be very nice. Our Room was quite big and had a full sized bath. I agree with Sally, it was nice to be out of the way from the crowds but still within very easy walking distance. There is also a nice boulangerie and charcuterie on that side of the river.

The nicest looking option you've listed is the Clos d'Amboise - hope you can get a room there.

audreyleigh99

Thanks again travelnut, you've been such a help on this. I just sent off an email to Hotel Clos d'Amboise to see if they have a room available at a good rate; it seems like the best option since it is so much closer to town than the others and looks like a great place for the $$.