Could anyone recommend and nice, centrally located and reasonably priced B%26amp;B or hotel in Amboise. We%26#39;ll be spending 2 nights there on our way to Sarlat in September. Also what should we definitely include in our itinerary to see there, I have heard it%26#39;s very pretty.
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You have heard wrongly...
Amboise isn%26#39;t really a pretty town, it isn%26#39;t even particularly attractive. For pretty you need to look at towns and villages along the Cher river (about 10 km south)
This map will give you some idea of your options (I hope) http://tinyurl.com/amboise-region. I can%26#39;t make any specific recommendations for chambre d%26#39;hote around here - I live too close.
If you%26#39;re interested in the less visited but no less attractive and historically important places, Loches is a good bet, and I can recommend the Georges Sand www.hotelrestaurant-georgesand.com/index.php…
Simon
http://daysontheclaise.blogspot.com/
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I shall be glad to forward my list of recommended hotels/chambres d%26#39;hotes (none of which are in Amboise):
1. The Cheval Blanc in the small village of Bléré, between Chenonceau and Tours. Bléré is much quieter and less touristy than Amboise. This hotel/restaurant changed hands in early 2008 with the long-time owners retiring. Under the new owners, (Hélène et Fabrice Tavernier) the service is reportedly much more efficient but their culinary reputation is yet to be established. During the week (Tuesday to Friday) two courses (entrée and main dish) are €22 with a €7 supplement for dessert. Despite a change of owners, I still find this location worth considering as a place to base oneself.
www.lechevalblancblere.com
2. Personally I enjoy staying in the center of Tours, it%26#39;s central to all of the châteaux of the valley and there are plenty of restaurants, cafés, museums, and shopping for everyone%26#39;s taste. There are a number of chambres d%26#39;hotes (B%26amp;Bs) in Tours as well as outside of town.
For a complete list of area%26#39;s lodging possibilities, check here:
http://www.ligeris.com/
My favorite hotel in Tours is (with free parking):
Hotel du Manoir :
2, rue Traversière
http://site.voila.fr/hotel.manoir.tours
3. Between Blois and Tours
Auberge de Launay
in a beautiful setting and a wonderful restaurant
http://www.aubergedelaunay.com/
4. Hostel du Roy
in Chenonceaux
http://www.hostelduroy.com/
5. la Ferme des Berthiers
just south of Tours in a very homey setting
http://www.lafermedesberthiers.fr/
6 Near Chenonceaux:
Le Bon Laboureur
http://www.bonlaboureur.com/
__________
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I am most grateful for your reply. I will follow up on all your suggestions. Many thanks.
Coldoll
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Hi Wiz, thanks for your reply. I will take your advice and do a thorough search. What a great site this is.
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I beg to differ. We just returned from 7 nights in the Loire with our home base in Amboise. Amboise IS beautiful. We did not stay at a B%26amp;B, but at the Manoir St. Thomas in Amboise. We frequently stay at B%26amp;Bs when we travel, but did not this time. Am certain you could find a B%26amp;B in Amboise to your satisfaction.
We visited the villages of Chenonceau, Blere, and several others while there, and our favorite place for a home base...hands down... is Amboise. Tours is quite large by Loire town standards, and once in the city center of tours, it takes awhile to get out to the small villages. I think you will miss the small village feel of the loire if you stay in Tours. The villages are a must see and experience, but for two days, why lock yourself in to Tours?
Happy to offer more information if you like.
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Amboise isn%26#39;t the horrible hellhole Wiz would have you believe.
It%26#39;s a fair-sized town, so there%26#39;s things like a laudry, a grocery, a post office...the stuff you need about half-way through a trip.
It%26#39;s clean and easy to navigate, and has some pretty buildings in the center, as well as a very good marke, and nice views of the river.
Is it stellar? No -- it%26#39;s not a must-see, but it%26#39;s pleasant and convenient, including its location.
We%26#39;ve stayed at the Bellevue many times -- it%26#39;s not the Ritz, but it%26#39;s clean, the staff are friendly, and it won%26#39;t break the bank.
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I would never suggest Amboise is a hell hole - except during summer when you%26#39;re trying to cross the river (why do they seem to do roadworks on that bridge every year during summer?)
Thing is though - its an unremarkable town in an unremarkable setting, not terribly attractive (even Michelin Guides can%26#39;t get enthusiastic about the place), and always to my eyes looking a touch weary. It seems a shame that people go to Amboise because they are told it%26#39;s beautiful, and never find the really attractive places that surround it. I think Amboise%26#39;s popularity is mainly down to the fact it is convenient for the tour companies, and that makes a huge difference.
I would choose Loches in preference if looking for a town with all services and a really good market. The other advantage is that Loches is still waiting to be discovered by people who prefer to follow a well trodden path. And then - if you really feel a need to visit Amboise, it%26#39;s only 30 minutes away.
Simon
http://daysontheclaise.blogspot.com/
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I haven%26#39;t figured out where it%26#39;s written yet, but there seems to be some unwritten rule that highway repairs on any road leading into or out of a congested tourist area MUST be conducted during the busiest part of the year.
They did that in the US on a bridge leading to a popular beach in the leadup to Easter last year...
Why? I can%26#39;t imagine.
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To clarify, we used Amboise as our home base for 7 1/2 days, and spent approximately two of those in Amboise. Its central location is ideal, and it is easy to get around. We spent most of our time on small roads both north and south of the Loire (south preferred) visiting the MANY wonderful small villages. (Be sure to avoid the new toll highway while seeing the sites, or you will miss the sites. I must say, the rental of a GPS in our vehicle was a real plus)
What a jewel of an area...you won%26#39;t go wrong, codoll. ... Bon Voyage! Let us know how your visit was! (PS Sarlat is amazing, as well)
www.manoir-saint-thomas.com Also read reviews on it on trip advisor...pictures, too!
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Thanks again Simon,
Loche sounds lovely. I think it%26#39;s great if there a couple of good restaurants one can walk to in the evening. Any recommendations?
Colleen
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