We will be traveling to France for
ten days in April--we thought we would spend the last 3 nights in Paris--3 in Provence and 4 in the Loire Valley. What are your favorite hotels in the Loire Valley?? Thanks in advance. Jan

Hotel at Fauntevraud abbey

I tend not to choose hotels in the Loire but search out smaller guest houses... these can be anything from simple family homes with a couple of rooms for guests to really grand chateaux with huge rooms beautifully furnished.

You can send off for a free copy of Bienvenue au chateau book (http://www.bienvenue-au-chateau.com/) which has many places listed.

The Alistair Sawday book on guest houses in France is great too.

The Manoir des Minimes in Amboise.

in Onzain - across the river from Chaumont I have twice stayed at Chateau des tertres - www.chateau-tertres.com

Nice location. good value

Twice we've stayed at and really liked La bihourderie, a B&B at Azay-sur-Indre, SE of Tours near Loches. It's in the countryside among farm fields. The rooms are very comfortable and attractive, breakfast quite good, and the owner is outstanding. She is English (with a French spouse) and knows the area well.

We found La bihourderie through old Alastair Sawday and Karen Brown guides. The price is very reasonable. Mme does table d'hote if you pre-arrange, but if you're tired, just bring back something and heat it up in the guest kitchen. In warm weather you can sit on the terrace with other guests talking about your travels.

It's centrally located though not smack dab next to chateaux. The 2006 Michelin Atlas describes a 3-day "balade" that includes Loches, Chinon, Azay-le-Rideau (my favorite), Usse, Langeais, Villandry, Amboise, Chaumont, Blois, Chambord, Cheverny, and Chenonceau. Azay-sur-Indre is quite central to all these.

And let me not forget beautiful Montresor nearby, one of the official most beautiful villages of France. The village of Chedigny is full of flowers in summer. Don't ask me how it missed being one of France's most beautiful.

You definitely need a car. And don't feel you need to see all these chateaux. Frankly, one or two would be my limit, and then drive along the Indre (more scenic than the Loire) stopping at boulangeries and markets.

I second the recommendation for Manoir des Minimes. It was very lovely. The room was wonderful and the staff just incredible. The breakfast was great, set on fine china. It is a 10 minute walk to Amboise for shops and eating.

Happy planning!

Domaine des Hauts de Loire in Onzain
http://www.domainehautsloire.com/

Demeure de la Vignole, in Turquant, near Saumur. The hotel is in several buildings of a tiny village on a cliff overlooking the Loire, with some rooms built into the cliff.

http://demeure-vignole.com/index2.htm

Another vote for Le Manoir les Minimes in Amboise; for us, a perfect 4 night stay.
And Alistair Sawday's description of it in Special Places to Stay France is spot on-
"every detail has been thought out with tender care, lovingly chosen antiques and objets placed to create a light sophistication...with fresh flowers everywhere, this feels more like a smart home than a formal hotel."

La Tortiniere. A fairytale castle. Good location, nice building, great park, good rooms, good food, still affordable.

http://www.tortiniere.com/

Another vote for Domaine des Hauts de Loire in Onzain. This place is very special and you will have great memories of it.

And yet another vote for Domaine des Hauts de Loire in Onzain. We stayed there for 6 days in September 2006. Gorgeous place. Good location for driving to the major sights and chateaux. Very good restaurant on site as well.

I strongly agree with Dukey. We loved the Manoir des Minimes in Amboise. Nice rooms, nice owner, nice breakfast. Easy to park rental car as well.

I vote for Manoir des Minimes - for all the reasons stated above. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat!

Thank you for all of your suggestions. Off I go to do some more research--thanks for the tips.

Jan

Four nights in the Loire, given that your other two destinations are Paris and Provence, seems a bit much to me (I''d do 4 in either Paris or Provence and 2-3 in the Loire), but if that's what you plan to do I would suggest you split it up with 2 days in the eastern Loire and 2 in the western.

We enjoyed Hotel du Grand St. Michel on the grounds of the chateau at Chambord. After tourists leave, you have the grounds to yourself. Wonderful terrace at the hotel, very good dining, and a front-row seat to the son et lumiere. This is not a luxury hotel by any stretch, but comfortable and quiet at night. Some rooms offer a view of the chateau.

We loved staying at www.Chateau-de-perreux.com outside of Amboise.

Took the train from Paris and rented a car. Very easy to drive around.

Chateau Perreux was about 10 min. drive from Amboise, so quite near many restaurants(casual and gourmet).

We visited Chambord, Chenenceau, Villandry, and the DaVinci House. We will return to see the rest someday.

If you are staying in the eastern portion of the Loire, you will love Le Vieux Manoir in Amboise. Le Manoir is a beautiful B&B right in town. The owners will do their best to make sure you have all the information you need to have a great time.
In Chinon, we really liked the Hotel Agnes Sorel. Small hotel with big rooms, great location and superb breakfasts.