A couple of miles outside of Amboise, nestled in a forest, is the Chanteloup (sp?) Pagoda, built during the royals fascination with things Chinese in the 1700s or so.

It's all that remains of a once vast estate with a sumptous chateau - the chateau was pulled down after its residence could not pay the taxes - its foundations remain

as well as this amazing slender tall pagoda - a romantic scene all in all and quite famous in the Loire.

Just come to my cottage: it is ideally located amidst major Chateaux; see
http://web.mac.com/patcane/LaMenagerie/Welcome.html
I am looking forward to welcoming you there.
Pat

bookmarking to visit later...

yup, me too.

Patcane

What are your favorite chateaus (of the Loire)

bookmarking

Realize the original poster has been and gone, but here is where my friends and I stayed. It is a bit in the countryside so once you are there at night, you are there - unless you want to walk among the nearby cattle, there is no night life.
http://www.lefleurayhotel.com/fleuray_hotel.php