treble

Well, It is a funny story my mom told me yesterday as I am in the process of planning a visit to this area with my DH. It seems she and my dad got up a bit earlier than the owners of their hotel, as they wanted to get an early start with the chateaux visits. Unfortunately for them, they were trapped at the top of the stairs by a German Shepherd--each time they attempted a step down he came up two steps! So my mom says, just stay in Tours, (Sofitel maybe?). Anyone else have this experience? She could not remember which place that was....though I'm sure said dog would have expired by now anyway! Anyway, I am a bit put off by large scary dogs, and so many of the charming hotels seem to mention a dog in passing....Your thoughts? Tours or Ambroise?

StCirq

Tours would never be my choice for accommodations in the Loire, because I am always driving a rental car and don't want to deal with the traffic getting in and out. If you're using tours that originate in Tours, it might make sense.

I've encountered some scary dogs in all parts of France, including in the commune where I have a house. It's part of the landscape and not something I would ever figure into trip planning unless I knew ahead of time a particular nasty dog was a resident of a particular place I wanted to stay.

Amboise makes a good base for the eastern Loire. So does Blois.

treble

Thank you--We plan on having a rental car. Are there plenty of charming and not overly pricey restaurants in Amboise? I am considering Le Manoir Les Minimes for 2-3 nights, but also noticed the Best Western Da Vinci nearby, of course at a fraction of the cost (and charm) I will look into Blois.....Thoughts?

StCirq

My favorite restaurant in Amboise is L'Epicerie. And the dining room at Le Choiseul hotel, though I haven't been there for quite a few years. I wouldn't say Amboise is a food mecca, but then the whole of the Loire isn't really, either. You certainly won't starve. I've not stayed at the Manoir des Minimes, but it gets good press on this forum. In Blois, I've stayed at the Anne de Bretagne, which was a so-so place made vibrant and mysterious by the romantic escapades the owner seemed to be involved in all the time.

FrenchMystiqueTours2

We have stayed at Château de Pintray just outside Amboise and would stay there again. Lovely owners. They do have 2 large dogs but very friendly, unintimidating ones. One of them is an old female dog and the other one is her son I think. They are so gentle and insist on shaking paws with you. They'll just sit and hold out their paw for you to shake it. They are not watch dogs at all nor are they German shepherds (which do scare me). I know nothing about dog breeds but it's just this type of dog that never seems aggressive. Château de Pintray is also a wine estate so you can do wine tasting there.

With a car I would avoid Tours also.

FrenchMystiqueTours2

Yep, l'Epicerie was the only restaurant recommended by the owners of Château de Pintray. They also had a recommendation for a much pricier one in the countryside but I didn't pay attention to the name. The problem with Amboise in terms of food is you can't find good bread.

treble

Thank you- I am not scared of friendly dogs that shake hands, though I am admittedly a cat person....Chateau de Pintray seems to have queen beds and I want to make certain that we have a comfortable king bed.

StCirq

treble, bed dimensions are different in Europe. You may have trouble finding the equivalent of a king bed. Often, two twin-equivalents are set up together to make a sort of king-equivalent.

treble

Umm--I wonder why is there not good bread?

kerouac

Frankly, as a budget option, the Ibis in central Blois is a converted grand old hotel right next to the château. I loved staying there.

FrenchMystiqueTours2

As St Cirq pointed out we don't have Queen or King size beds. Most beds at Château de Pintray are 160cm which is wider than Queen but narrower than King. But Château de Pintray does have two King Size rooms downstairs.

As for bread, I don't know, I just find it difficult in rural areas to find good bread. It is best in larger cities where there are several bakeries within walking distance so that a bad one would not do good business. In a tiny village, you have no choice. In that case you find far superior bread at the nearest large supermarkets which tend to have a good fresh bakery section. I am sure there are good bakeries out there somewhere but it's less frequent than in or around Paris.

treble

STCirq--THanks, Yes I know about two twins pushed together, they are fine...it's the ones that are smaller than that which I don't like...I appreciate the responses thus far!

nytraveler

We stayed at a private chateau near Chinon - Chateau des Reaux - and the owner did have dogs - but a couple of King Charles Spaniels. If you are really afraid of dogs - of any type - then just contact the many chateaux to find one that has no dogs - or ones small enough that you are comfortable with them. (Can;t comment on the German shepherd incident - but it is true that many dogs sense - and are made uncomfortable - by people that are afraid of them.)

HappyParis

Check my favorite place to stay in Amboise
Le Vieux Manior is a beautiful bed and breakfast
Easy walk to restaurants ,etc
Breakfast is quite elegant and delicious

Let me know what you think of their website

Husband and I returned again last year
It only gets better!

treble

LE Vieux looks nice, tho' mostly queen beds. But they have a cat not a dog. Yay! (No, I'm not really that shallow!)Anyway, I am still working on the itinerary--two nights or three? We will probably want to go to a winery and see if there are any cheese farms nearby?

StCirq

Ask around for a dépot de pain if you can't find good bread. I would wager you could find good bread at L'Epicerie, since they started off as a bakery many years ago.

hopingtotravel

Too funny. We stayed at Les Minimes in 2005. If the large dog , Olga, there is still alive, it was wonderful. She was even discussed on this forum! If you step on her paw, be sure to make your apology in French.

Travelnut

We stayed at Le Manoir Les Minimes in 2004 - - very nice inn and very easy parking and access to the D-road for sightseeing (avoiding in-town driving). Their dog was mostly in the way by virtue of laying across the threshold in hopes of a nice pat. (no growls).
Our room had a large bed at least queen but maybe king, with beams angling across and down, and the WC in a separate closet than the large tub. Little table w/ chairs for drinks and snacks in the room.
We walked into Amboise, saw the Chateau and da Vinci museum, and wandered around a little.

treble

We enjoyed our stay at Le Manoir and did not see any dogs. Amboise is a lovely little town, the chateau was worth a visit and I recommend Cafe Bruno's for a dinner.

kerouac

I recommend Blois myself. That doesn't help, does it?