17 Best Hotels in The Loire Valley, France

In 1882 this ivy-covered inn won Henry James's praise, and, thanks to four generations of the Jeudi family, the author might be even more impressed today—this remains one of the Loire's most wonderful auberges, with guest rooms enchantingly accented in toile de Jouy fabrics and Redouté pink-and-blue pastels. Rooms in the main house are comfortably sized; those in the former stables are larger (some overlook a spacious kitchen garden) and more recently renovated, but the best rooms are the quaint quarters in the separate patio cottage near the terrace. Guests are encouraged to relax among the roses in several charming garden areas or lounge around the outdoor heated pool. After an apéro on the garden terrace, settle in at a table in the "old" dining room for one of the best gastronomic meals around, where the wood-beam ceiling, glazed terra-cotta walls, and Louis XVI chairs are almost as elegant as chef Antoine Jeudi's entrées. 

Small enough to feel like a home, stuffed with lovely 18th-century decor, and replete with a beautiful river terrace, this overlooked treasure provides an unforgettable experience in the Loire. Other château-hotels may have pomp, but this has something more precious: authenticité. Once the property of the Marquis de Vaudreuil, first French governor of Louisiana, it was purchased by the current owner’s family in 1779. At the end of a long allée, this "pavillon Mansart" embraces you in a semicircular layout (the collier, or necklace). Ten family descendants study you from gilded Charles-Dix frames in the comely main salon, a confectionery of white rococo moldings, glittering chandeliers, and furniture that Madame Bovary would have loved. The breakfast room is covered with quaint 16th-century Italian frescoes, and each guest room is a bouquet of antiques and comfy furniture.

A 15th-century jewel of a castle, once the favored retreat of kings François I and Henri IV, is today the luxurious country setting for the Prince de Broglie's hotel—a magnificent place that magically distills all the grace, warmth, and élan of la vie de châteaux as no other. Prince Louis-Albert is the scion of one of France's top families (two prime ministers and one Nobel Prize winner, at last count) and one of Paris's most famed biodiversity preservationists, who here cultivates 650 types of tomatoes in the château's potager (vegetable garden). It's not surprising, then, to find the three main public salons suavely done up in shades of tomato red, sumptuously offsetting such accents as an immense marble fireplace, majestic taxidermied animals (De Broglie own's Deyrolle, Paris's famed taxidermist), and curio cabinet objects collected by the prince. Inside the neo-Renaissance castle, guest rooms range from the grand—François-Premier is a timber-roof cottage blown up to ballroom dimensions—to more standard-issue, yet always stylish, salons. Cheaper rooms are found in the adjoining 17th-century "stables," fitted out with a gardening shop and a tiny eatery. And don't overlook the enormous secluded pool—a gift from above during hot summer days.

With its ivy-covered stone, white shutters, mansard roof, dormer windows, and rococo spiral staircase, this hotel looks like an 18th-century François Boucher painting. Inside, the guest rooms (some with original architectural features) are spacious, and, while hardly modern, come with cable TV, free Wi-Fi, and plenty of closet space. A lovely breakfast laden with local products is served in the beamed dining room by a roaring fireplace in winter or on the garden terrace in summer. All in all, this is an excellent value for the money.

Conveniently located on the main shopping street in Orléans, this charming family-run hotel a block from the train/tram station welcomes guests in rooms with fresh floral wall coverings, parquet flooring, and immaculate tiled bathrooms (many as large as the rooms). A rooftop garden terrace offers sweeping views of the city in warmer months, while the lounge is a comfy place for a coffee while perusing L'Abeille's collection of historic books and Joan of Arc memorabilia. The artworks in the rooms comes from the owner's father's family collection, a nice touch in a hotel full of soul.

At the very epicenter of historic Saumur, this little 15th- to 17th-century house is hidden beneath the medieval walls of the church of St-Pierre—look for its entrance on one of the pedestrian passages that circle the nave. After being graciously greeted in the sweet reception area, you’ll be ushered up the Renaissance corkscrew staircase (or modern mini-elevator) to a refined guest room. Designer fabrics, antique pont cabinets (forming a "bridge" over bed headboards), elegant wainscoting, Persian rugs, tuffeau fireplaces, and bathrooms replete with Paloma Picasso designs make this a favored home-away-from-home for Saumur's most savvy visitors. The rooms facing the church, although smaller, are quieter than those overlooking the road leading up to the castle.

Right on Chinon's most charming square—a picture postcard come to life with a splashing fountain and a bevy of cafés—stands this agreeable inn, which has been housing guests since 1577. Many regional notables lodged here before the Revolution, when it became the Hôtel Lion d'Or, the first hostelry in the region. The wood-beam rooms are comfortable and cozy; some overlook two tiny, flowerpot-bedecked courtyards, while others take in views that include Chinon's fortress. The restaurant, Au Chapeau Rouge (closed Monday; no dinner Sunday or lunch Tuesday), serves regional cuisine, and there's also a brasserie for lighter, less expensive fare.

This was reportedly one of Audrey Hepburn's favorites, and you can immediately see why: the neo-Gothic château, sitting atop a vast, sloping lawn, features a pair of fairy-tale towers, Louis Seize public salons, and soigné guest rooms—some in the turrets, others in the smartly converted stables and servants' quarters. Most beds are so comfy that it would be hard to rise in the morning if it weren't for the beckoning vistas, which include a lovely pool tucked onto a grassy terrace. The stylish rotunda restaurant looks out over the lawn and offers such gourmet delicacies as medallions of line-caught sea bass with leeks in aspic and gribiche sauce.

Set within the medieval splendor of Fontevraud, this series of outbuildings was once the abbey's lepers' hospice, but you'd never know it—a gorgeous, understated redesign has made it one of the more unusual hotels in the Loire Valley. In a muscular Romanesque side wing, the erstwhile monks' and nuns' cells have been transformed into small but alluring guest rooms, where minimalist chic rules the day and soft grays and whites complement the fine wood accents (the linens and mattresses are even custom-made). The more expensive rooms have baths rather than showers, and some have breathtaking vaulted ceilings. The entrance opens into the vast salle capitulaire (conference room), and the cloisters now house a gastronomic restaurant (reservations essential), where Bocuse d'Or winner and Michelin-starred chef Thibaut Ruggeri prepares such delicacies as venison dressed with root vegetables and turbot glazed with abbey-made honey. Staying here lets you explore the abbey grounds when its gates are closed to the public, which is itself an exceptional experience.

Charmingly set on the pedestrian street that leads to Azay's château gates, this shuttered town house has a delightful courtyard-garden that hides an authentic 19th-century schoolhouse, now converted into lodgings cozily furnished in traditional country style (complete with the stray blackboard and school desk). Guest rooms in the main house have a contemporary decor, punctuated with the occasional 19th-century neoclassic "Directoire" touch. The village has quite a few restaurants—if you don't want to stroll around and pick, ask the friendly owner Bruno Stachetti about the best.

A stately lime tree stands sentinel behind wrought-iron, wisteria-framed gates outside this 17th-century mansion with a surprisingly modern interior on a calm street between the Hôtel de Ville and the river. An extreme makeover has given these interiors a spiffy, contemporary air. The blazing red reception area, smartly adorned with modern seating, segues to the upstairs guest rooms, which are rather petit; most guest rooms are decorated in sunny yellow or pastel tones.

It may not be high luxury, but this welcoming family hotel set in a small village among rolling vineyards about 3 km (2 miles) from Sancerre pretty much checks every other box you can think of for a charming stay. Owned by a ten-generation winemaking family, the attention shown to everything from the impeccably clean and spacious rooms to the top-notch dining in both the bistro and gastronomic restaurant (where you can sample the family wines) demonstrates a deep and abiding connection with the heart and soul of Sancerre. The hotel also offers wine tastings and tours of the family vineyard and picnics.

Home to one of France's most beauteous châteaux, Azay should rightly have a hotel that befits the town jewel and this landmark—a three-minute walk from the château gates—nicely fits the bill. Some complain that its fame brings a captive audience, which can result in offhand service. However, guest rooms, which vary in size and style, have character; most are simple, with an antique or two, and many have exposed beams (the largest is called "The Monsoreau"). Public salons are elegant and comfortable, while the restaurant (closed Sunday and Monday from October through April and Sunday from May through September) serves high-style food and boasts one of the region's most extensive wine lists, with more than 700 choices.

Once a Catholic school, this ivy-clad 19th-century building—a 10-minute walk from the Château de Villandry—is now a charming boutique hotel. All 20 rooms are spacious and modern, with comfortable beds and all the amenities, though rooms in the main building tend to be on the larger side, with views of the park. Set on lovely grounds, there are plenty of scenic nooks for some lovely views of the countryside.

An elegant yet laid-back atmosphere defines this stately 18th-century pavilion in the center of Amboise, where airy guest rooms may be done in classic 1930s or contemporary boutique-hotel style; some retain original architectural accents, like exposed beams or heavy wood moldings, and all have refurbished, retro-looking bathrooms. Breakfast can be taken in the salon or on the lovely terrace.