Staying in a castle in the Loire Valley: 5 (unforgettable!) hotels

Who hasn't dreamed of staying in an authentic Loire Valley castle? In this beautiful region, there is no shortage of chateau-hotels to live this beautiful experience!

In this article, we tell you about our beautiful nights spent in castles from Angers to Blois.

As choosing a hotel-chateau in the Loire Valley is not as simple as it seems, we give you all our practical advice to guide your choice!

Our selection is made independently, based on our experience and research. When we stay in a hotel, we remain anonymous and pay our bill in full.

Staying in a Loire Valley Castle: from dream to reality

An unforgettable experience...

Having the chance to sleep in a castle, especially in a castle of the Loire Valley, is a beautiful experience that we wish you.

What links us to these centuries-old stone palaces is indefinable. We feel at the same time, respect for the genius of their builders, humility in front of places that will outlive us, and finally recognition for their contribution to the beauty of the world.

From time immemorial,"castle life" has been an absolute for many of us, if not a model. The life at court, made of leisure, pleasures and culture, the splendor of these castles, the mystery that surrounds the powerful people who live there... All this irrigates our imaginations. Many writers and filmmakers have made it the raw material of their plots and stories!

By sleeping in a castle, we hope to experience a little of this... and you know what? It works (at least for us...)!

Not one, but many chateau-hotel experiences...

We have not (yet) had the chance to sleep in all the chateaux-hotels of the Loire, but we can already assure you that each one is really unique. Far from the standardized chains or even the traditional codes of high-end hotels, nights in castles are always rich in surprises and beautiful moments, because they are by definition extra ordinary (unless you live in a castle all year round).

Memory of an evening spent writing this blog while contemplating the fairy castle of Rivau... or of this sunny end of day when Eugenie was adopted by the 4 dogs of our host, the countess Caroline D'Aviau de Ternay... But also, of this cold winter Sunday spent contemplating the countryside at the corner of the fireplace of the castle of Perreux...

Depending on the location, the type of castle, the weather outside, the time of year you stay... you will have radically different experiences. A good reason (if necessary) to multiply the experiences and to take full advantage of them each time!

What is a castle?

No don't skip this paragraph and tell yourself that this question is just stupid.

If we believe the French reference, the dictionary Le Petit Robert, it is a "Seigniorial or royal dwelling; large and beautiful residence"... The definition is vast and everyone has the right to call their home a castle if they consider it to be large and beautiful!

From the ruined castle, to the renaissance palace, to the manor houses and other middle-class houses, you will have to learn to find your way around to avoid being disappointed and having a reality that does not correspond to your dream. Especially since the choice is wide enough in the Loire to match the 2 for sure!

How to choose a Loire chateau to sleep in?

Here are a few points of reference to guide you.

Let's start with the architecture and keep it simple:

• If the castle was built before the 14th century, it will certainly be a fortified castle (with a round keep, drawbridge and a walkway).
• If the castle was built between the 15th and 17th centuries, there is a good chance that it is a renaissance style castle (with surely a touch or two of gothic inherited from the Middle Ages).
• If the castle was built after the seventeenth century, it is more likely to be called a manor house or a large bourgeois house.

Next, we need to look at the decoration:

• Renaissance atmosphere with carved wooden furniture, heavy fabrics and subdued lights.
• 19th century atmosphere with toile de Jouy on the wall, light colors and bright rooms.
• Contemporary atmosphere much more refined, less furniture, but shapes and colors much more varied.

And finally, to your hosts:

• Thetraditional hotel, with its salaried staff and respect for the standards of the hotel world.
• The guest house, where the owners receive you in a friendly atmosphere, but sometimes surprising.
• Thehotel is run by private individuals, often people who are changing careers and who are investing in the hotel business for the second part of their career.

Based on your answers to these 3 questions, your choice must have narrowed greatly. All you have to do is book and pack your suitcase!

Château du Rivau (castle and gardens)

What type of castle?

The Château du Rivau is an early renaissance castle and you will sleep in the old grooms' rooms in the royal stables, characteristic of the renaissance and built in 1550.

The owners of the place, Patricia and Eric Lagneau, have equipped their castle with a hotel of 7 rooms. For more than 30 years, they have devoted their wealth and energy to giving new life to the castle by bringing together contemporary art (another of their passions) and heritage. Patricia has also trained in horticulture to develop no less than 15 thematic gardens.

The decoration of the rooms is neat and contemporary, without distorting the spirit of the place.

Why did we love our night at Château du Rivau?

• The view: in front of the castle, you will enjoy a magnificent view of the castle and the gargantua's garden (full of pumpkins and other squashes during our visit).

• The decoration: we loved the balance found between modernity and tradition, mixing elements of furniture of renaissance inspiration with fabrics and materials, much more contemporary. The dialogue of periods is clearly the know-how of the owners.

• The experience: if you combine this night with a gastronomic meal at the Secret Garden in a veranda facing the house and a quasi-private visit of the magnificent gardens of the castle, you should, like us, be under the spell of the place.

• Silence: once the last visitors have left, the Château du Rivau has only a few inhabitants (the other guests of the hotel and the owners). Located in the countryside, nothing will disturb the peace of the place. Hush....

Practical information

• The hotel is open from April¹ to mid-November.
• Château du Rivau is 50 minutes from Tours and 45 minutes from Saumur, two cities easily accessible by train.
• The hotel has a large free parking lot.
• The hotel has 7 rooms, including 1 suite, and is rated 4 stars.
• The rooms are suitable for 2 adults and 1 child under 3 years old. The suite can accommodate 2 adults, 1 child over 3 years old and 1 child under 3 years old.

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• Back in photos and in detail on our night at the hotel du Château du Rivau
• See prices and availability

Chateau de Chissay

What type of castle?

The Chissay castle is mainly a renaissance castle, even if its medieval keep has been preserved. It welcomed on several occasions the kings of France Charles VII and Louis XI. Now it's your turn!

The castle was transformed into a hotel in 1985 after its purchase by Philippe Savry, CEO of "Hôtels particuliers", a group that operates 10 other large residences in France. The Château de Chissay offers 32 rooms.

The careful and comfortable decoration of the rooms plunges you into theworld of the renaissance.

Why did we love our night at Chissay Castle?

• The architecture: we are in a castle with a particularly rich history that keeps beautiful traces of its rich hours. Coats of arms, sculptures, vaulted arches...

• Decoration: Both the room and the restaurant are immersed in a renaissance atmosphere, with carved wooden furniture, a dominant cardinal red, magnificent parquet floors...

• Atmosphere: After a good dinner, once you close the heavy wooden door, you naturally plunge into a meditation, as the place calls for meditation. It takes you back 500 years when Pierre Bérard, the king's butler, undertakes to improve the medieval castle...

• The experience: Arriving at the castle in the late afternoon, we began with refreshments served under the shelter of the arches of the castle gallery. As it is necessary to live in its time, we followed with a small bath in the comfortable swimming pool... And to close this beautiful evening, we had dinner in the castle's grandiose vaulted hall! Really immersive!

Practical information

• The hotel is open from early May to mid-November.
• Château du Rivau is 45 minutes from Tours and 40 minutes from Blois, two cities easily accessible by train.
• The hotel has free parking.
• The hotel has 32 rooms, including 5 large suites (one of which is really extraordinary located in the old dungeon with glass ceiling!).
• Several rooms and suites are available for more than 2 people, with the possibility of adding children's beds.
• This hotel has decided not to offer wifi or television. Don't panic, 4G is coming...

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• Back in photos and in detail on our night at the hotel of the castle of Chissay.
• See prices and availability

Château des Forges (Slow Village)

What type of castle?

Radical change, with the Château des Forges a few kilometers from Angers. This time we are in a large bourgeois house built in the 19th century by a rich industrialist from Anjou. Its architecture is reminiscent of the beautiful villas of seaside resorts.

This 14-room hotel belongs to the Slow Village group, which advocates the development of slow tourism, for a more peaceful and nature-friendly tourism.

Recently restored by an antique dealer, the hotel offers a beautiful contemporary decoration inspired by Bauhaus.

Why did we love our night at the Chateau des Forges?

• The setting: you may be 10 minutes from downtown Angers, but you are in the middle of an ocean of nature, with an unobstructed view of the low valleys of Angers classified as Natura 2000.

• Volume: The bathroom alone is almost the size of the room in some hotels, so you won't feel cramped. Especially since the elegant furniture blends in with the room's decor. We breathe!

• The atmosphere: even though we are in a temple of slow tourism, the atmosphere is resolutely contemporary and creative. There is a real energy that emanates from the place.

• The breakfast: special mention for the breakfast, taken while the mist was rising peacefully in the valley. On the menu, a host of homemade products, including a chocolate pudding to die for! A good start!

Practical information

• The hotel is open all year round.
• The Château des Forges is 10 minutes from Angers and 1 hour from Nantes. Angers has a TGV station and Nantes an international airport.
• The hotel has free parking.
• The hotel has 14 rooms including a studio with terrace.
• Several rooms can accommodate up to 3 people, as well as the studio.

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• Back in photos and in detail on our night at the hotel of the castle of Forges
• See prices and availability

Château de Ternay

What type of castle?

We return to an authentic "small" renaissance castle, built in the middle of the 15th century and which has not undergone any notable transformation since 1880.

It is a "château d'hôtes", which offers 5 rooms and 2 gîtes. You will be welcomed by Caroline and Loïc d'Aviau de Ternay, whose family has owned the castle since 1813!

The decoration is impregnated with the spirit of the end of the XIXth century with notably an empire room and some beautiful pieces of marquetry in the other rooms.

Why did we love our night at Ternay castle?

• The architecture: the castle is "in its juice" and seems frozen in time. The pentagonal keep and the round tower with machicolations testify to the entry into the Renaissance, when the builders were still reluctant to turn their backs on the defensive function of their seigneurial dwellings.

• The decoration: We really appreciated the decoration of our family suite. As well, the children's room and its beautiful toile de Jouy paper, as our bright and flowery room. A real atmosphere of an old family house that transported us into the world of the children's stories of the Countess of Segur.

• The atmosphere: the welcome is warm, the atmosphere good-natured and one takes oneself to feel really the guests of the castle. In the morning, it is the guests who ring the bell to let us know that we are ready for breakfast! The world upside down.

• The park: during your stay, you will have all the leisure to walk in the very beautiful park of 45 Ha, whose alleys were baptized of the name of those which made the history of the castle and the area.

Practical information

• The hotel is open from April¹ to November¹.
• The castle of Ternay is 1h10 from Angers and 1h05 from Tours of Nantes, 2 cities with a TGV station.
• The hotel has free parking.
• The hotel has 5 rooms and 2 cottages.
• The family suite can accommodate 2 adults and 2 children. The gîtes are ideal for family gatherings (8 and 11 people).

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• Back in photos and in detail on our night at the hotel of the castle of Ternay.
• See prices and availability

Château de Perreux

What type of castle?

This time we are in a castle built in 1701, but largely reworked in the 19th century in a Louis XIII style. Main characteristic, the first floor is troglodytic, dug in the rock.

It is a hotel with 11 rooms, but it plays the proximity card. During your stay, you will surely come across Olivier Fructus, the owner of the place, who started in the hotel business after a first career in medical equipment.

The decoration is relatively minimalist to let the remarkable elements of the castle (stone, wooden frame, fireplaces...) take over. Some contemporary touches anchor this castle-hotel in our century!

Why did we love our night at Ternay castle?

• The atmosphere: located only 10 minutes from Amboise, you will be in the middle of the countryside, with a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. Perfect for a fall stay when all you want to do is sit by the fire with a good book. But in the summer you can enjoy the beautiful 19 meter long heated pool. Cruel dilemma...

• Decor: The show is clearly on the other side of the bullseye (round window) overlooking the park, but that's no reason to deny its comfort. We liked the space, the simplicity and the open bathtub. A subtle balance between the architecture of the castle and the interior decoration skillfully measured.

• The reception: The owner and his small team really care about your well-being. A lover of heritage, he has also been the owner of a 15th century seigniory, the Château de Nazelles, for 20 years. An almost family atmosphere and really very pleasant.

• The park and the forest: after your breakfast in the forest, we really invite you to put on the pair of boots that the owner offers you to discover the beautiful park, with vegetable garden and beehives that feed the table d'hôte of the castle. Then go back up into the forest to discover the surprising Bollée windmill that supplied part of the castle with water thanks to the wind at the end of the 19th century.

Practical information

• The hotel is open from the beginning of February to the end of December.
• The castle of Perreux is 10 minutes from Amboise and 30 minutes from Tours which has a TGV station.
• The hotel has a free parking lot with fast charging station.
• The hotel has 11 rooms.
• The hotel has a family suite and a quadruple room to accommodate families with children.

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• Back in photos and in detail on our night at the hotel of the castle of Perreux
• See prices and availability

Other chateaux-hotels to discover

They were not at the top of our list, but we think they can be interesting alternatives among the many chateaux-hotels of the Loire.

19th century castle-houses

Château de Verrières

With a capacity of 10 rooms, this small castle is located in the heart of the beautiful city of Saumur in a park of 2 hectares. It offers swimming pool and comfortable spa.

• See photos and reviews of the hotel château de Verrières

Château de Rochecotte

This beautiful castle built at the very end of the 18th century, will be largely reworked by the Duchess of Dino, a sultry German princess, who acquired the castle in 1828. It now offers 39 rooms, a gourmet restaurant and a beautiful swimming pool in the middle of a 20 hectare park. It is located along the Loire River, equidistant from Saumur and Tours (35 minutes).

• See photos and reviews of the hotel château de Rochecotte

Domaine de la Tortinière

10 minutes from Tours, the Domaine de la Tortinière is a castle whose first traces can be found in 1478, but which was rebuilt by Pauline Dalloz, heiress of silk manufacturers from Lyon, in 1861. The castle offers 32 rooms in the heart of a 15-hectare park with rare species and a gourmet restaurant.

• See photos and reviews of Domaine de la Tortinière

Domaine des Hauts de Loire

Located between Amboise and Blois (20 minutes), on the commune of Onzain, this Relais & Châteaux is installed in a former hunting lodge of the XIXth century (1860 to be precise) in the heart of an incredible park of 70 hectares. It offers 31 rooms in the castle or in one of its outbuildings, La Demeure. In addition to the setting, you will appreciate the beautiful pool and the cuisine offered by the new chef, Dominique Pépin.

• See photos and reviews of the hotel Les Hauts de Loire

Château Des Briottieres

Even if there are traces of the castle from the beginning of the 15th century, there is no representation of it before its reconstruction around 1780. Located in the heart of a 40-hectare English-style park, it offers 15 rooms, a beautiful swimming pool and a tennis court. It is located 25 minutes from Angers.

• See photos and reviews of the Briottières castle

Hotels-Renaissance castles

Château des Arpentis

In the commune of Saint-Règle, 10 minutes from the center of Amboise, the Château des Arpentis was built in the 16th and 17th centuries and extensively restored in 1884. It offers 13 rooms, a large swimming pool and a beautiful park of 30 hectares.

• See photos and reviews of the hotel château des Arpentis

Le relais de Chambord

Facing the impressive Chambord castle, a majestic and massive royal residence embodying the French renaissance, the Relais de Chambord offers 55 rooms, 15 of which have a direct view of the castle. The hotel has a sauna, hammam and outdoor jacuzzi to combine modernity and heritage. Ideal to spread the very dense visit of the castle over 2 days and enjoy the royal domain, once the tourist crowd is gone.

• See photos and reviews of the Chambord relay

Château de Troussay

One of the smallest castles of the Loire, located in the town of Cheverny, built in the 15th century. Belonging to the same family as its illustrious neighbor, the Château de Cheverny offers 2 guest rooms and 2 cottages.

• See photos and reviews of Troussay castle