Chinon Lodging

My friend and I had wonderful rooms at Hotel Le Plantagenet right near the statue of Joan d’Arc. If you’re driving, the area had plenty of free parking and since the center of Chinon is small, you could easily walk to your destination. The rooms were very tradional and some of the largest and most comfortable of any hotel in France in which I have stayed.

Another vote for Hotel Plantagenet. We stayed there for three days exploring the Loire region.
Parking was close and easy and free bike loaners were a plus.

Another vote for Hotel Plantagenet. We stayed there for three days exploring the Loire region.
Parking was close and easy and free bike loaners were a plus.

How was Chinon as a base for traveling around the Loire? I am also looking at Amboise.

I’ve not visited Amboise. When we stayed in Chinon, we found it to be very convenient to visit the chateaux and other sites in the area. The town is “comfortable” - not too big, not too small. Easy to explore on foot, great restaurants, wonderful castle overlooking the city.

Years ago, we split our nights between Orleans, Chinon, and Rocamadura in that part of France since we were heading to Spain. No hotel recommendations since back then we camped with a tent.

I would caution you, and I think Rick's office would support me on this, that he makes no claim to comprehensively reviewing all lodging options - even in smaller towns and cities. The presence or absence of a lodging in Rick's book really doesn't tell you anything about it. I do think that Rick gives fair, accurate presentations of the plusses and minuses of places he does cover. In his youth, he had a sort of preference for cheaper places, but that is not quite as strong today. However, there still are a large number of his fans who demand lower-priced and closer-to-the-locals lodgings.