We're going to be in the Loire Valley for 4 days and would like some recommendations for Chateaux accommodations and restaurants... thanks.

We stayed at two wonderful chateaux two years ago. The first, Chateau de Rochecotte in St. Patrice was our favorite, although both were great. It had huge rooms for France and a fabulous restaurant. The food was some of the best we had in all our trips to France. The waiters were extremely helpful in recommending the perfect wine with dinner. The pates and cheeses were outstanding. We enjoyed walks through the grounds and tours of neighboring vineyards. This is a perfect base for exploring the Loire. We also stayed at Chateau Noizay, which was more like staying in your private castle (reserve in the main house, rather than the carriage house). The food here was also very good. The staff was very accomodating and very helpful when we had rental car problems. This is an excellent location for exploring Amboise and the Vouvray and Montlouis vineyards. I would recommend both highly. Don't miss a balloon flight over Chateau de Chenonceaux!

The Cheval Blanc in Bléré is an exceptional restaurant. La Péniche in Blois isn't haute cuisine, but dining on fresh local fish dishes on a barge in the river is a memorable experience. The Au Plaisir Gourmand in Chinon is a great restaurant (book ahead; it's the top restaurant in town and very popular with the locals). Finally, should you find yourself in Saumur, try Les Caves me Marson - dinner in a troglodyte restaurant (also book ahead for this one).

Chateau d'Artigny in <BR>Montbazon. I have posted a lot about it here before. Not to be confused with Mas d'Artigny (in Provence). Search for Montbazon here on this forum.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Thank you so much for all your replies. I'm new to this board but I've bookmarked it and will definitely visit often!

Sandy,<BR><BR>We will be in the Loire valley in late June. We are staying at Le Choiseul in Amboise. I will post my thoughts when I return.<BR><BR>Michele

I agree that Rochecotte is lovely--both to stay and to eat. We also enjoyed La Peniche, a fun experience. Chateau Chissay is a lovely castle to stay and/or eat in. it's near Montrichard. Domaine des Hauts de Loire is wonderful. a Michelin two star restaurant and a lovely gracious hotel/chateau to sleep in. We'll also stay this September at Hauts Roches near Tours which is in a renovated troglodyte cave now included in the Relais and Chateau association. Anxious to see what this one is like.

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To the person planning to stay at Haute Roche in September...we stayed at Haute Roches troglodyte hotel in Rochecorbon near Tours about 3 yrs ago. It was absolutely wonderful. The staff was excellent, the room was beautiful appointed with a view of the Loire river. An added bonus, being a cave, the temperature inside was perfect and it was very quiet. The restaurant at the hotel was also wonderful...possibly the best meal of our entire trip. I highly recommend this Relais & Chateaux hotel! We visited the chateaus of Cheronceau and Chambord from this hotel base. They were both great and yet very different from each other. The town of Amboise was a nice visit.

MNM, thanks for the confirmation that we've picked a winner with the Haute Roches. Now we're really looking forward to it.