Grand St-Michel

Grand St-Michel Review

The village of Chambord is as tiny as its château is massive and its leading landmark is this historic hotel, a revamped hunting lodge right out of the pages of a Flaubert novel and grandly set across the lawn from the fabled château. Guest rooms once boasted fabled views of the palace, but towering oak trees now block the view from all but two—room No. 5 has the best view. Inside you'll find a cozy lobby, solidly bourgeois guest rooms, and a 19th-century-flavored restaurant, splendidly set with mounted deer heads, majolica serving platters, and thick curtains. The fare is local, hearty (including deer pâté, pumpkin soup, and game in fall), attractively priced (especially the €22 menu), and there's a delightfully leafy terrace café facing the château.