Amboise - good home base for family holiday?
 

We would like to spend a week in the Loire as part of our 5-week vacation in France and Italy. What do you think of Amboise as a home base for exploring the area?
Any other towns you think would be better suited? We want to explore the chateaux and towns, bike a bit, visit markets, etc.
Accommodation ideas - self-catering in the countryside yet close to a town with amenities (groceries, restaurant, etc)?Approx $2000US for the week is our budget. 2bdrms with a pool.
Our kids are 3,8 and 10.
Thanks!

Amboise is fine (was a LOT nicer 20 years ago, but still a good town), but I wouldn't want to spend a full week in the eastern end of the Loire, which isn't my favorite region to begin with. A week in Amboise would be overkill, IMO.

I would split your time up between Amboise and somewhere near Angers or Saumur so you can take advantage of seeing both the attractions of the eastern and western bits of the valley. Or find a place for a week near/in Chinon and do both from there.

Yes, Amboise was much nicer 20 years ago.

Now, it's just one large tourist trap. it's overrun with those darned tourists. What used to be a quiet town is just one large English speaking place. If you want to feel like you never left Toledo, then Amboise is the place for you.

I'd pick another town (but not Tours) for your stay.

We are trying to avoid moving the family too many times so we were hoping for a week-long stay somewhere. I will check out Chinon. Anyone have accommodation ideas?

try Saumur - a bit further west but less touristy and still a good base.

for a day trip you might like to think about le puy de fou - a french-oriented theme park with loads of fun things for kids - jousting knights, gladiators fighting in a colosseum, [lions too!] a wonderful raptor show, and a magnificent "son et lumiere" with over 1000 participants.

http://www.puydufou.com/

we've been twice and loved it even more the 2nd time.

Believe me, Amboise isn't any more "overrun" with tourists than some of the chateaux. There's a reason people flock to places like Chenonceau, Chambord, etc., as you will undoubtedly learn.

I would agree that you might not want to spend your entire week there if for no other reason than it will obviously be easier to travel to the other end of the Loire is you are closer to it.

Oh, and BTW, when I first went to Amboise in 1970 it was certainly not dead visitor-wise (and neither were the chateaux). Enjoy your visit.

This is one I have had my eye on. Nearer Blois than Amboise, but that's the same general area.
www.gite-lacardinale.com

bigtyke - that gite looks nice but I might be a bit wary of the river if, like the OP, i were travelling with a 3 year old.

We spent three nights in Amboise at Manoir de la Maison Blanche. Amboise is a good base to seeing that particular area. We really liked Angers (we only stayed one night unfortunately. Yes, Amboise is touristy, but who cares, you're a tourist. We heard a lot more French than English at the restaurants where we dined, which I don't think happens too often in Toledo.

((H))

We stayed in a chateau near Chinon and found it very convenient to see the whole Loire without doing too much driving. The town had quite a few pleasant restaurants - so you might look for a rental near there.

We stayed at Le Manoir Les Minimes in Amboise several years ago for three nights and thought it was a lovely place.

folks - the OP needs a self-catering property, not a hotel/chateau.

francewithfive - have you looked at the official gites de France website?

http://www.gites-de-france.com/

very easy to use according to area, no of bedrooms, etc.. etc. More up market [and more expensive] are privately run agencies like French country cottages which we used once in the Dordogne.

http://www.french-country-cottages.co.uk/

if you google, you will find many others.

we stayed in Amboise and found it a great base for that end of the Loire.

Easy access to the major Chateaux and generally lovely.

I probably agree though, I would split it with somewhere like Angers to see the other side as well.

Was not recommending a chateau (or I would have named it) but that Chinon was a convenient place and quite central.

Been going to Amboise for years now and yes it can be touristy in season but that also means lots of kids to do - I think there is mini-golf and on the island opposite the Chateau is a large openair swimming pool that my once young son and I enjoyed several times - kids swim - adults lovingly oogle the chateau high overhead.

Amboise is the perfect base for what are arguable the best of the Loire castles - Chenonceau, chambord and Azay-le-Rideau and Chinon being in short proximity.

Thanks everyone:
There seem to be lots of good towns to stay in and you all have great ideas. I will spend some serious time exploring all of the options and let you know what we decide.