Fodor's Expert Review Château de Colliers
D951, Muides-sur-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, 41500, France Fodor's Choice
Small enough to feel like a home, stuffed with lovely 18th-century decor, and replete with a beautiful river terrace, this overlooked treasure provides an unforgettable experience in the Loire. Other château-hotels may have pomp, but this has something more precious: authenticité. Once the property of the Marquis de Vaudreuil, first French governor of Louisiana, it was purchased by the current owner’s family in 1779. At the end of a long allée, this "pavillon Mansart" embraces you in a semicircular layout (the collier, or necklace). Ten family descendants study you from gilded Charles-Dix frames in the comely main salon, a confectionery of white rococo moldings, glittering chandeliers, and furniture that Madame Bovary would have loved. The breakfast room is covered with quaint 16th-century Italian frescoes, and each guest room is a bouquet of antiques and comfy furniture.
PROS
- Authentic antique furnishings
- Unique riverside setting
- Hospitable hosts
CONS
- Grounds and exterior a bit worse for wear
- Surrounding area fairly dull
- Must have a car to access
QUICK FACTS
HOTEL INFO
HOTEL DETAILS
Rate Includes: Closed mid-Nov.–Mar., Free Breakfast