Looking for a few days away from it all? Not in the mood for a classic hotel?
You're right, it does a lot of good! But unusual doesn't just mean yurts and teepees, there are plenty of choices for atypical accommodation.
To help you find what you're looking for, here are our ideas for an unusual weekend in the Loire Valley, with varying degrees of comfort.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Unusual weekends in the Loire Valley: our choices
The Loire is an excellent destination for discovering very different environments: caves, castles, vineyards... Everyone can find something that inspires them.
We've chosen not to list all the unusual accommodations that can be found just about everywhere nowadays (yurts, cabins in the woods), instead focusing on typical regional experiences that took our minds off everyday life.
We hope you find it inspiring.
1. Troglodyte weekend: cave hotel (near Saumur)
The hotel near Saumur
The region is rich in troglodyte attractions. You can even find hotels with swimming pools and/or rooms in caves.
Our favorite is the Demeure de la Vignole hotel.
Nestled in the heart of the Loire Valley vineyards, this establishment is sure to leave a lasting impression.
In a unique troglodytic setting, you'll discover an incredible indoor swimming pool. If you look up, you'll see the rock that forms an integral part of the dwelling. We particularly liked this atypical, fairytale setting! The care taken to decorate our room made our stay all the more pleasant. We were totally convinced by the breakfast, which featured local produce.
See photos, prices and availability - and book!
Another option we liked was the Hotel Troglododo - see prices, photos and availability.
What to do around
You can keep to the troglodyte theme and visit:
- Troglodytic wine cellars in Saumur
- The mushroom museum
- The Pierres et Lumières Trogoldyte Park
- The village museum of Rochemenier
And if you don't want to spend your whole weekend underground, you can also explore the area:
- L'abbaye de Fontevraud - Book now
- The charming town of Saumur and its château
- Château d'Azay-le-Rideau and its water mirror - Book now
- Château de Villandry and its gardens - Book now
See our guide to Saumur attractions (coming soon).
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars - one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a fairly compact car (many villages have narrowed the road).
- Think aboutfull insurance (parking in big cities is really tight).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
2. Time travel weekend (in Angers)
L'Oisellerie hotel
One of the oldest houses in Angers, right in the center of town, run by two dynamic young women who have just renovated it... what else?
The experience is fascinating, with its wooden beams and impressive staircase.
You'll really feel like you're traveling back in time, but with all the modern comforts!!!!
It's a truly unique experience!
See prices, photos and availability - and book now!
What to do around
- Travel back in time along the tapestry of the apocalypse at the Château d'Angers - Book your guided tour tickets
- See modern tapestry at the Musée Jean Lurçat
- Admire the cathedral
- Walking along the Maine River
- Visit the amazing Terra Botanica park with its magnificent gardens - book your tickets now
See our guide to Angers attractions (coming soon).
3. Weekend in royal stables (near Chinon)
Château du Rivau hotel
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.
Opposite the château, you'll enjoy a magnificent view of the château and Gargantua's kitchen garden (full of pumpkins and other gourds during our visit).
We loved the balance struck between modernity and tradition, blending Renaissance-inspired furnishings with more contemporary fabrics and materials. The dialogue of periods is clearly the know-how of the owners.
See prices, photos and availability - and book now!
What to do around
- We recommend that you combine this night with a gourmet meal in the Secret Garden, on a veranda facing the château, and an almost private tour of the château's magnificent gardens. You should be as charmed as we are.
- Visit Rivau castle
- Chinon and its fortress - Book online
- Azay-le-Rideau Castle - Book now
- Castle and gardens of Villandry - Book now
A LITTLE MORE patience
All the photos, maps, information, good addresses to make your stay in the Loire Valley a success, will soon be gathered in a single ebook!
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4. Wine weekend: sleeping in a barrel (near Saumur)
The hotel
How about an atypical experience combining oenology and relaxation? Treat yourself to an unusual night in a barrel!
Nestled in the heart of the Joly family vineyards, we have fond memories of this unique interlude. The accommodations are very warm and intimate. We felt instantly at home. This cozy little nest, unique in its kind, totally seduced us! The unmistakable scent of wine barrels made the moment all the more memorable!
See photos, prices and availability - and book!
What to do around
- The vineyards
- Saumur's troglodyte caves
- L'abbaye de Fontevraud - Book now
- The charming town of Saumur and its château
- Château d'Azay-le-Rideau and its water mirror - Book now
- Château de Villandry and its gardens - Book now
See our guide to Saumur attractions (coming soon).
5. Weekend in a château (near Chenonceau)
Château du Chissay hotel
Okay. It's not so surprising to talk about châteaux in the Loire Valley, but sleeping in a château is a unique experience, especially if the owners have managed to preserve the atmosphere.
We recommend the Château de Chissay hotel.
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!
Both the rooms and the restaurant feature immersive Renaissance decor, with carved wooden furniture, cardinal reds and magnificent parquet floors...
See photos, prices and availability - and book!
Or see more hotel ideas in this article.
What to do around
- Château de Chenonceau - book your tickets
- Amboise and its 3 châteaux, including Clos-Lucé for Leonardo da Vinci fans - book your guided tour tickets
- The royal city of Loches
- The garden village of Chediny
- ...
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
6. Unique weekend: in an abbey (Fontevraud)
The hotel at Fontevraud Abbey
The Loire Valley isn't just about castles, it's also about emblematic abbeys.
Located in the heart of the monastic city of Fontevraud, the hotel offers a unique experience.
The Prieuré Saint Lazare has been completely reinvented by interior designers into a contemporary 4-star hotel. The hotel has 54 rooms that are quite sober, but respectful of the historical atmosphere. We appreciated that the hotel is simple to leave all its splendor to the places.
We loved being able to enjoy the abbey in a different way. The light effects are striking once the night falls. Each illuminated building is revealed in a new light.
See photos, prices and availability - and book!
What to do around
- Visit Fontevraud Abbey by night and by day
- The charming town of Saumur and its château
- Château d'Azay-le-Rideau and its water mirror - Book now
- Château de Villandry and its gardens - Book now
- Chinon and its fortress - Book online
7. Nautical weekend: houseboat (in Nantes)
Hotel la Rivière House
Moored on the Erdre River, about 20 minutes by car from downtown Nantes, the barge carpe-diem invites you to come aboard for a great experience.
Even though the weather was not great, we loved the beautiful common room, nicely decorated and flooded with light, with the river as our only horizon. On sunny days you can easily picnic on the deck!
The rooms adopt the codes of the marine decoration with small points of humor that we particularly appreciated.
See prices, photos and availability - and book now!
What to do around
- the elephant and machines of Nantes, a truly unusual experience - find out more
- Extraordinary gardens
- The Fine Arts Museum
- The village of Trentemoult
See our selection of the best activities in Nantes.
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8. Traditional boats: the "Toues Cabanées
In many places along the Loire and its tributaries, you can also find traditional boats called "Toues".
From the 13th to the 19th centuries (before railroads), the Loire was a major transportation route.
These included the "toues cabanées" boats, traditionally used for fishing and cruising.
Today, some of these boats have been transformed into unusual accommodation for an unforgettable weekend.
- For the best view, there's one in Saumur opposite the château.
See prices, pictures and availability - For greater peace and quiet, you can book a traditional boat in the charming village of Saint-Florent-le-Vieil between Nantes and Angers.
See prices, pictures and availability - And for an experience somewhere between a boat and a tree house, discover La-Batelière-sur-Loire.
See prices, pictures and availability
PLAN YOUR TRIP IN
Loire Valley
The castles of the Loire Valley
Other places to explore
Practice
