Before visiting the Loire Valley, choosing accommodation can be a daunting task. Between the towns of Tours, Amboise and Blois, there are plenty of places to stay in the Loire castles.
Let us help you choose the best place to stay in the region. First, we’ll introduce you to the main geographical areas you can choose to discover the famous Renaissance buildings and explore the region. For each of these locations, we’ll also share our best addresses so that you can quickly find accommodation where to stay around the Loire castles:
Main information
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting accommodation at the Châteaux de la Loire, here are the essentials to know from a tourist point of view. This should give you a better idea of the destination and its constraints.
Our favorite places to stay
For those in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay at the Châteaux de la Loire:
- $ These rather affordable apartments are ideally located in Tours’ Old Town,
- $$ This value-for-money hotel is located in the historic center of Amboise,
- $$$ This luxury establishment is one of the most beautiful around the Châteaux de la Loire, overlooking the famous Château de Chambord.
Map of different areas to stay at Châteaux de la Loire
To give you a quick overview of the different areas where we recommend staying at Châteaux de la Loire, you’ll find on the map below all the Châteaux de la Loire accommodation recommendations we’ll be sharing in this guide. You can also use it to locate the various areas we’ll be detailing.
The essentials for choosing where to stay at the Châteaux de la Loire
Where to stay at the Loire castles
Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty with a review of the main places we recommend to stay when visiting the chateaux of the Loire Valley. The area to target for accommodation can depend on a number of criteria: length of stay, tourist sites you plan to visit, accommodation budget, … Our advice should help you make the right choice.
Blois and the surrounding area, just a stone's throw from the famous châteaux of the Loire Valley
Blois is a popular choice for accommodation around the Loire castles. The town is located in the eastern part of the Loire Valley. Some châteaux are very close by, but others are further away, especially those around Tours. By staying in this part of the Loire Valley, you can easily enjoy the following sites:
- the royal castle of Blois, which dominates the town
- nearby Chambord, 15 kilometers to the east
- at the same distance, heading south-east, Cheverny is also within easy reach
The town of Blois is also well worth a visit. The historic center is quite charming, and you can take advantage of the banks of the Loire to stroll around. Quite large and dynamic, it's also the main town where to stay around the Loire castles, along with Tours.
There's a wide range of accommodation to choose from, in the city center, on the outskirts and in the surrounding communes. From hotels to rental apartments, you're sure to find what you're looking for, whatever your budget. The center of Blois remains quite affordable, and it's possible to stay here without breaking the bank, even in high season. Nevertheless, from spring onwards, the town attracts many travelers. The best addresses are often fully booked.
If you're looking for 2 places to stay in the Loire Châteaux region, Blois is certainly one of them. You can then spend a few nights exploring the eastern part of the Loire Valley, before continuing on to Tours, which we'll look at later in this guide.
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This basic establishment is located in a charming building in the heart of the city center. If you stay here, you'll be just 2 or 3 minutes' walk from the Château de Blois and the main shopping streets.
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A great way to stay in the Loire castles region with family or friends. This apartment can accommodate up to 4 people for an unbeatable price, as it's located right in the heart of Blois.
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This is one of the finest luxury hotels around the Loire castles. It's just a stone's throw from the famous site, to the east of Blois. You can even stay in a room with a view of one of the region's most famous châteaux!
Amboise, a central location where to stay when visiting the chateaux of the Loire Valley
Amboise has a lot going for it. In our opinion, it's the best place to stay when visiting the chateaux of the Loire Valley. The town is more or less in the geographical center of the region. You can easily travel west or east to discover the most beautiful buildings of the. Renaissance buildings, without having to travel miles. If you're looking for just one place to stay, this part of the Loire Valley is the place to be.
As well as Amboise's geographical location, there are many of the region's must-see tourist attractions. These include
- the Château d'Amboise, right in the heart of the historic center
- clos Lucé, less than a kilometer to the southeast of the town center
- the historic center is very charming and well worth a visit in itself!
- Chenonceau, one of the Loire Valley's most impressive châteaux, lies 15 kilometers south of the city
And beyond the monuments really close by, you can reach other great names in the region in less than an hour's drive: Blois, Chambord, Azay-le-Rideau, for example. This central location is a real advantage over staying in Tours or Blois. In the latter case, you would need to allow 2 hours to reach the most distant sites.
Returning to the question of accommodation, there are many options for tourist accommodation. Both in the city and in the surrounding area. Hotels, bed & breakfasts or even apartments for rent by the night, the possibilities are numerous. In high season, rates tend to be higher, especially in the historic center. It's a good idea to book well in advance.
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This Logis Hôtel is also located in the city center. Basic but well-maintained, it's the place to stay for a cheap stay in the heart of the Loire Valley castles region.
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Located in the historic center of Amboise, this establishment offers excellent value for money. Family rooms can be booked, ideal for keeping the budget down for family stays.
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Located in the center of Amboise, this 4-star establishment is at the foot of the château and on the banks of the Loire. The rooms are a perfect blend of modernity and the charm of this old building. The best place to stay in this regional town.
Stay in Tours to visit the Loire castles?
Along with Blois, the city of Tours is the other major city where to stay at the Loire Castles. Tours is located in the western part of the Loire Valley. Here, of course, you can see other famous Renaissance buildings. And the city and its surroundings boast several places well worth a visit:
- château de Tours, a building dating back to the 11th century
- saint-Gatien cathedral and Saint-Martin de Tours basilica are also worth a visit
- Villandry and Azay-le-Rideau are very close to the city
As far as accommodation is concerned, hotels or overnight rentals are generally more affordable than in Blois or Amboise, which we presented earlier. It's also the largest city in this part of the Loire Valley. As a result, there's a wider choice of studio apartments and apartments, as well as hotels. If you're on a budget, this is the place to be.
Finally, to follow on from what we said about staying in 2 different types of accommodation, Tours is certainly a good second stop. By splitting your stay between Tours and Blois, you can then travel to the east or west of the Loire Valley. This choice will minimize the number of kilometers and the time wasted in travel. This is our recommendation for a stay of more than 3 or 4 nights around the Loire castles.
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Apartments located in the heart of Tours, in the old town. Accommodation is available for 2 or 6 people. A good deal for those looking for family-friendly accommodation.
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Excellent location, just a stone's throw from many places to see. A charming establishment, with very well-decorated rooms, even if the facade doesn't look like much!
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Address of the famous Hilton chain on Place Anatole, a stone's throw from the Loire River. A resolutely modern hotel offering very reasonable rates. You can stay here on an average budget, even in high season.
Book accommodation west of Tours?
West of the city of Tours is another possible choice for a stay in the Loire Valley. Here you'll find other emblematic buildings of the region, even if they are less prestigious. But beyond these monuments, the towns of Chinon or Saumur may be worth spending a night or two west of Tours. In this way, you can vary your discoveries and not limit yourself to visiting the many châteaux. In this part of the region, in addition to the towns just mentioned, you can discover a mushroom farm or visit a vineyard.
However, it's important to know that this is not the best place to start when exploring the Loire Valley. From Saumur, for example, it's a two-hour drive to Chambord. In other words, you're likely to spend a lot of time in your car over the course of a day. Accommodation in the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Nature Park is therefore a good choice as a stopover on a road trip through the region, but not the only place to stay when visiting the Loire castles.
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Address located in Saumur, in the city center. The Château de Saumur is within walking distance (approx. 500 m). Clean, basic but modern and comfortable rooms.
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Chambre d'hôte located at the foot of Chinon's royal fortress, in the historic pedestrian zone. A truly charming address that highlights the charm of the building while offering a certain level of comfort.
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Staying in a Loire château is an experience in itself. And it's possible at Château du Rivau in Léméré, about 5 kilometers from Chinon. While some châteaux offer aging rooms, the Rivau offers superb facilities!
Summary
As this guide has shown you, there are plenty of places to stay when visiting the chateaux of the Loire Valley. It’s possible to stay in a single hotel, but also to discover this region of France in the form of a road trip. Amboise and the surrounding area offer the perfect geographical location from which to explore the region. This means you can minimize travel times between your accommodation and the sites you want to see.
In high season, from spring to autumn, the Loire Valley region attracts many visitors. French and foreign alike. During this period, we recommend that you book your accommodation in advance. The best addresses fill up during the fine weather…