You don’t rush through the Loire Valley. A castle in the morning, a vineyard in the afternoon, a fine dining experience in the evening: the region sets its own pace, and the hospitality industry has come to embrace it. From the Sologne Forest to the quays of Blois, here are four Hotels near the Loire Valley castles.
Les Sources de Cheverny: A 5-star experience amid vineyards and châteaux
Between Chambord and Chenonceau, on the edge of the wooded Sologne region, this 5 stars in France Today, it stands as a benchmark for anyone wishing to explore the châteaux of the Loire Valley without sacrificing any comfort. The second addition to the Les Sources collection after the one in Bordeaux, the property’s 49 rooms are spread across the château and a cluster of cottages, each with its own unique character: the Hameau du Marais with its wooden cabins, the Maison des Fleurs, and the Grange aux Abeilles. A full-scale country estate, awarded two Michelin Keys.
At the table, the experience unfolds on two levels. At Le Favori, Chef Pierre Frindel presents Michelin-starred cuisine inspired by the forests and gardens of the Loire region, in a dining room that opens onto the trees. L’Auberge, a rustic brasserie, focuses on local Sologne ingredients and features a wine bar designed in the style of a tasting workshop.
The rest follows the same theme: a Caudalie Spa nestled on the edge of the woods, with treatments formulated using vine-derived active ingredients; an outdoor pool facing the trees; and bicycles to ride to Cheverny and along the Loire à Vélo bike route. Just five minutes away is the Château de Cheverny—the very same castle that inspired Moulinsart.
Do we love it? Get an introduction to forest therapy in the early morning, amid the estate’s woods and bodies of water, before heading out to the castles.
The Sources of Cheverny
49 keys, starting at 409 euros
23 Route de Fougère, Cheverny
A Stay at Les Sources de Cheverny © Aurelio Photographer
A room at a 5-star hotel © Les Sources de Cheverny
Loire Valley Lodges: The Forest Perched Two Hours from Paris
A radical change of scenery: here, there are no castles or vineyards, but a 300-hectare private forest for a A weekend getaway less than two hours from Paris, and 21 lodges perched four meters above the ground. Each one, designed by a contemporary artist—from Aurèle to JonOne—offers its own unique experience, featuring panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, a king-size bed, and a terrace with a private hot tub. Three categories are available: Nature, Arty+—for an immersive experience in a visual artist’s world—and Spa+ with a private sauna.
The concept can be summed up in one word: disconnect. You trade the noise of the world for the silence of the woods, enjoying everything from Shinrin-yoku-style forest bathing to massages given in the lodge or on the terrace, using oils extracted from the estate’s trees. The dining experience follows suit: at the Ardent restaurant, the menu is built around the chef’s foraging in the forest, with seasonal ingredients taking center stage. Further on, a 20-meter pool and a lounge bar extend the relaxation.
It’s the perfect spot for a weekend getaway in nature just two hours from Paris, a spa retreat away from the capital, or a chance to completely unwind—all with the added bonus of exceptional comfort.
Do we love it? Breakfast is delivered to the front of the lodge, where you can enjoy it on the terrace overlooking the trees, with a hot tub nearby.
Loire Valley Lodges
21 keys, starting at 312 euros
Allée de la Duporterie, Esvres-sur-Indre
Staying at a lodge in the great outdoors © Loire Valley Lodges
The hotel's outdoor pool © Loire Valley Lodges
Fleur de Loire: Christophe Hay’s Fine Dining Restaurant on the Quays of Blois
In Blois, on the left bank, a former 17th-century hospice commissioned by Gaston d’Orléans stands in a U-shape facing the river. It is there that two-Michelin-starred chef Christophe Hay has established his life’s work: a five-star hotel Relais & Châteaux With 44 rooms, including 12 suites, featuring windows that open wide onto the landscapes of the Loire Valley. The decor draws inspiration from the Loire River, its sandbars, and its lush vegetation; the spacious rooms feel airy and open.
Gastronomy dictates everything else. The signature restaurant Christophe Hay, a two-Michelin-starred establishment, showcases local ingredients that the chef controls from start to finish: an organic permaculture vegetable garden, a Wagyu cattle farm, a truffle farm, and fish from the Loire River sourced from a dedicated fisherman. His “Carp à la Chambord,” a recipe revived from the Loire Valley’s culinary archives, has become the restaurant’s signature dish. The second restaurant, Amour Blanc, celebrates freshwater fish in a more straightforward style. Next door, a pastry kiosk and a bar with period stone pillars round out the picture.
To unwind after the feast, a 450-square-meter Sisley spa features an indoor pool and a lap pool, along with an outdoor pool overlooking the Loire River.
Do we love it? The pastry kiosk, a sweet spot for takeout along the waterfront.
Flower of the Loire
44 keys, starting at 376 euros
26 Quai Villebois Mareuil, Blois
The hotel's Junior Suite © Fleur de Loire
The indoor pool in the wellness area © Fleur de Loire
Rochecotte Castle: Life in a Castle, Following in Talleyrand’s Footsteps
On a hillside overlooking the valley, the’hotel in the Loire Valley features white columns and an Italian-style terrace, a legacy of the 18th-century Age of Enlightenment. The Italian-inspired tuffeau stone mansion was once home to the Duchess of Dino and the Prince of Talleyrand; it even housed the archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1940. Today, this four-star hotel features 37 rooms and suites adorned with period furniture, all overlooking the park or the French gardens.
When it comes to dining, this gourmet restaurant is divided between the contemporary Verrière and the neoclassical Dino lounge, both featuring cuisine that reflects the seasons and the local flavors of the Tours region. On sunny days, service moves to the terrace overlooking the restaurant, beneath the Lebanese cedars.
The estate is perfect for relaxing: a wooded park, a pond, forest trails, a heated outdoor pool, and massages for afternoons with no plans. As for sightseeing, the châteaux of Langeais, Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau, and Ussé are nearby, as are the vineyards of Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil.
Do we love it? The park and its pond are perfect for a loop on foot or by bike between two castles.
Rochecotte Castle
37 keys, starting at 233 euros
43 Dorothée de Dino Street, Saint-Patrice (Coteaux-sur-Loire)
Staying at the Château de Rochecotte © Château de Rochecotte
© Château de Rochecotte
