In mid-October, we will be driving down from Normandy and hope to spend 4-5 days around the Loire area. 2-3 days in each accommodation. RS recommends Chinon and Amboise as good base areas, but we prefer smaller areas like Valencay and Villandry. Any hotel recommendations or trip ideas for this area? Do you think advanced reservations are needed for this time of year? cheers.
Posted by
Ojai, CA
591 posts
If you like small, you might try Hotel du Bon Laboureur in the tiny village of Chenonceaux (population about 300), rooms starting at € 125. It's just down the road from Chateau Chenonceau, has a good restaurant and is a good central location for visiting other Loire chateaux. http://www.bonlaboureur.com/
Posted by
Portland, Maine
2916 posts
All of the places you mention would be good choices, as would Chenonceau. As to reservations, we traveled through the Loire in September 25years ago, and would either make reservations the day before we arrived, or wait until we got to the town, and never had a problem. Of course things may have changed.