I have a reservation which I can cancel at Hotel La Roseraie next to Chenonceau. I chose this hotel because it was right next to the Chateau and we have only one day in the Loire. I just read about the night show at Amboise and it looks really good so now I am thinking of changing my overnight stay to something in Amboise as the drive back to Chenonceau is 30 minutes and the show is at 10 p.m. What do you think about Le Manoir Les Minimes? Has anyone stayed there? Has anyone rowed the boats at Chenonceau. It is something our kids want to do but i wonder if there are few and not much of a chance to rent them?? I guess there are a few questions here. Sometimes when I plan a trip, I make a decision on a overnight stay without all the information so I am trying to figure this out. Thank you to anyone who helps. Caroline
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
Well with one day in the Loire, you can't see everything. I thought Chenonceau was beautiful. I was there in early Sept. on a beautiful day and only saw one row boat on the river, but I think they had more for sure, you can probably get one. That said, I loved Amboise! I saw the light/sound show advertised and see where it is staged (magnificent) high on a hill where the chateau is, overlooking the town (which is very nice) and river. I didn't see the show though. Hard to chose between the two, you and your family will enjoy both I'm sure though I give the edge to Amboise I think. Perhaps those who have seen the show there will give you more info.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
We've been to the Loire Valley several times and have stayed in Amboise twice. However, if we ever return, we will stay at La Roseraie. Chenonceau is my all time favorite chateau and I've read so many posts on the Helpline about La Rosairie and how great it is. We stayed at Manoir les Minimes and it is very, very nice. I recommend it. We also went to the Light and Sound show in Amboise. It was enjoyable, however, it is all in French and if you don't speak French, you will be lost. I do speak French but it was still hard to understand with their sound system. I was with others who did not speak French, and had to constantly translate what I could. They do have Light and Sound shows at other chateaux that are in English and we would have enjoyed that much more. I like Amboise very much. I don't think you can go wrong either way.
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
For only a 30 minute drive, i would choose to stay at La Roreraie and near Chenanceau. We did the Sound and Light at Azay Le Rideau and throughly enjoyed it. the audience seem to be locals, bringing their kids and sitting on the lawn. Hmmmm. Would love to do these three all over again. (havent done the S&L at Amboise, but at Azay they actually use the chateaux in the production)
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
They used the chateau in Amboise at the Light & Sound show we saw there. My last post sounded a bit more negative about it than I meant. We enjoyed the show, the pageantry was impressive. We just had a hard time following the story (someone reads from a script throughout the show, telling a story) and if I didn't speak French, we wouldn't have understood anything. The pageantry was enjoyable in and of itself, and for that, it's worth it. I just think if you can go to one in English it would be even better. :)