I’m trying to decide between staying in Amboise or Bloise for our short trip (only two nights!) to the Loire Valley. The current plan is to see Chamboard and Chenonceau, but we may switch one of those out for Cheverney.
Thoughts and hotel recommendations appreciated!!!
There are a few daily buses from Blois to Chateau de Chambord and from Blois to Chateau de Cheverny. So, Blois is the place to base yourself for those two chateaux.
Chateau de Chenonceau is 7 miles from Amboise and about 30 miles from Blois.
Because bus service is infrequent and the trains are painfully slow in the Loire Valley, most people wanting to see more than a couple chateaux take tours or rent a car. AutoEurope brokers car rentals from the Blois-Chambord train station in central Blois.
One more possibility to further confound the issue: Chaumont, half-way between Blois and Amboise. Chaumont is historically tied to Chenonceau.
Henri II gave Chenonceau to his lover, Diane de Poitiers. After he died, his widow the Queen, Catherine de Medici, insisted - as a Queen of Medici blood could - that Diane give up Chenonceau, in exchange for Catherine’s chateau, Chaumont.
The gardens at Chaumont are wonderful. Not so formal and with a good number of “rooms” or smaller, inward looking gardens. The chateau, which overlooks the Loire, is quite graceful.
Amboise feels (and is) smaller than Blois, though it may also feel more ‘touristy.” And Amboise has the added attraction of Its own chateau on the hilltop overlooking the Loire, as well as the more enchanting (in my opinion) Clos de Luce, as mentioned in another recent post. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/best-ways-to-see-chambord-and-chenonceau
Both Chateau Amboise and Clos de Luce are easily walkable if you stay in Amboise. Chenonceau is a nice bike ride away if you choose to bike rather than go by car or train. Ditto for Chaumont.
A few years ago we stayed and ate at La Roseraie in Chenonceaux. This hotel is only 300 metres from the entrance to the chateau. Highly recommended!
