The best hotels near the Châteaux de la Loire

1. Les Sources de Cheverny | Loire Valley lifestyle and grape-based treatments

This is one of the most sought-after luxury hotels near the Loire Valley castles. Les Sources de Cheverny was created through the renovation of the Château du Breuil, acquired in 2018 by Alice and Jérôme Tourbier, the founders of Les Sources de Caudalie. Here, they have created a self-contained estate comprising a renovated château, historic outbuildings, and contemporary structures, arranged as an elegant hamlet nestled in the heart of nature. Set among forests, ponds, and clearings, the location offers a bucolic setting that is both refined and deeply soothing. Guests come here as much for the hotel’s comfort as for the experience it offers—a blend of nature, fine dining, and the good life.

The 49 rooms and suites, spread across the Hameau du Marais, the Maison des Fleurs, and the Grange aux Abeilles, embody the spirit of a family-run country home that defines the finest establishments. When it comes to dining, the estate showcases its unique character through two complementary restaurants: Le Favori, a Michelin-starred restaurant, where Chef Pierre Frindel creates precise, authentic cuisine inspired by the Loire Valley’s natural surroundings, highlighting plant-based ingredients, seasonal produce, and local producers. L’Auberge, with its more rustic and convivial atmosphere, celebrates the culinary treasures of the Loire Valley in a warm setting featuring a fireplace, mismatched tableware, a terrace overlooking the garden, and generous service. The experience continues at the Caudalie Spa, a haven of well-being overlooking the forest, featuring a relaxation pool, a hammam, an outdoor oak hot tub, and signature grape-based treatment rituals.

What sets it apart? A seamless harmony between the Michelin-starred restaurant, the country-house ambiance, and the Caudalie spa overlooking the forest. The whole experience is as captivating as it is flawlessly executed.

Where is it? Les Sources de Cheverny is located in the heart of the Loire Valley, between the châteaux of Chambord and Chenonceau, in a preserved natural setting. It’s just a five-minute drive from the Château de Cheverny, a must-see for families—the only castle in the Loire Valley to feature a permanent exhibition dedicated to Tintin and the inspiration behind the famous Moulinsart Castle.

Les Sources de Cheverny
49 rooms, rates starting at 290 euros per night
23 Route de Fougère, 41700 Cheverny
Official website of the hotel

2. Fleur de Loire | Chef Christophe Hay's hotel-restaurant

Nestled in the hillside town of Blois, this sumptuous five-star hotel is a landmark for connoisseurs of Loire Valley cuisine... Although the 44 rooms and suites of Fleur de Loire attract by their luxurious elegance, it is above all to savor the dishes of the two-Michelin-starred chef, Christophe Hay, that one crosses its doors. Having worked in the kitchens of the late Paul Bocuse, he is now the creator of one of the most exciting cuisines de terroir, that of the Loire gardens and Sologne forests. With rare products sourced from local producers, freshwater fish, exceptional meats (including mouflon from the forests of Chambord, which we dare you to try), vegetables and aromatic herbs picked from the hectare and a half of permaculture-grown orchard, or citrus fruits from the greenhouse where 15 varieties are grown, each plate rivals in flavor and inventiveness, like this starter featuring seven varieties of carrot and Loire osciètre caviar. Not to mention an excellent wine list, with a few exclusive cuvées.

What's the hotel like? Interior designer Caroline Tissier has created a luminous setting, with powdered greys, duck blues and different shades of white. The two dining rooms illustrate Christophe Hay's philosophy. At "Christophe Hay", a 2-star Michelin restaurant, the chef prepares his must-try specialties, including carp à la Chambord and wagyu beef from the estate's own herd. In the "Amour Blanc" restaurant, the large bay window offers a dazzling view of the Loire. The Sisley spa boasts an attractive indoor pool under stone vaults. Special mention must be made of the outdoor infinity pool, which borders the Loire and offers a view over the town of Blois. On the first floor, locals and guests alike enjoy the pastry kiosk.

Where is it? In the center of Blois, famous for its royal château, 20 minutes from Chambord. Other famous châteaux are just around the corner: Cheverny, Beauregard or Troussay, famous for being the "smallest of the Loire castles".

Fleur de Loire
44 rooms and suites. From €220 per night.
Quai Villebois Mareuil, 41000 Blois

3. Château de l'Épinay | Sustainable luxury and well-being in Anjou

Twenty kilometers from Angers, overlooking a park filled with rosebushes and century-old trees, this majestic 15th and 18th century castle has been transformed into a 4-star hotel. A member of the Hotels & Préférence collection, the place has managed to retain its old-world charm, with 23 rooms and suites combining antique furniture, exposed beams, shimmering fabrics, Persian rugs, stone fireplaces and 18th century paintings with a few contemporary pieces. To unwind after a day of sightseeing, visit the spa in partnership with the Douces Angevines brand, located in the former 15th century bakeries.

What makes the difference? The authenticity of the location combined with a virtuous approach that makes the Château de l'Épinay a truly eco-responsible hotel: outdoors, guests can immerse themselves in a large natural swimming pool, whose water is filtered using plants, with no added chemicals. The same sustainable philosophy can be found in the kitchens of the restaurant l'Orangerie, whose fruit and vegetables come directly from the permaculture vegetable garden.

Where is it? 1h30 from Tours and 2h from Amboise, Château de l'Épinay is undeniably away from the region's tourist heartland. If you're planning a road trip to discover the châteaux of the Loire Valley, this is the ideal place to end your trip by staying in a château, without breaking the bank (value for money is one of the best in the Loire Valley).

Château de l'Épinay
23 rooms and suites. From €165 per night.
Lieu-dit L'Épinay, 49170 Saint-Georges-sur-Loire

4. Loire Valley Lodges | A Treehouse Hotel

At first glance, this seems a far cry from life in a castle—and yet, sleeping in treehouses perched 4 meters above the ground has never been so luxurious. Opened in the summer of 2020, the Loire Valley Lodges features 21 treehouses scattered throughout a 300-hectare forest in Touraine. With this concept—a first for the region—Anne-Caroline Frey, a contemporary art specialist and forest therapy enthusiast, has hit the mark, attracting adventurous aesthetes who come to admire the successful blend of nature and culture: works of art, a king-size bed facing large XXL picture windows opening onto the foliage… And to unwind: a swimming pool, a restaurant serving locally sourced food (of course), and a central farmhouse housing a concept store, a wine bar, and a fireplace… Ideal for a unique and romantic weekend.

What sets it apart? The emphasis on art, with artists given free rein to decorate the lodges.

Where is it? 20 km from Tours and 30 minutes or less from the châteaux of Amboise, Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau, and Chenonceau.

Loire Valley Lodges
21 rooms, rates starting at 350 euros per night
1 Allée de la Duporterie, Esvres-sur-Indre

5. CHB - Château de la Haute Borde | A cross between a guesthouse and an artists’ residence

Ten hectares of lush meadows and century-old trees surround this 19th-century château, named “Best Stylish Room” by Fooding in its 2021 edition. At the helm is a trio of art-loving châtelaines: Céline Barrère, Cécile Simon, and Violette Plateau. Their vision? To reconnect with the castle’s roots as a hub of culture and creativity in the 1930s, before it was transformed into a hotel twenty years later. On the ground floor, there are vast, light-filled rooms where guests can wander, listen to music, play a game of pool, or flip through an art book, a glass of natural wine in hand. Upstairs, there are five elegant rooms, drawing inspiration from styles ranging from Brutalism to the 1950s. Designer furniture, marble bathrooms, shades of ochre, russet, and beige, and natural materials such as hemp and lime—every detail has been carefully considered. It’s definitely the ideal setting for a trendy clientele—tired of the grand, stately life—seeking a stylish haven in the heart of the countryside.

What sets it apart? Throughout the year, the venue hosts artists-in-residence and plans to expand its cultural events: exhibitions, concerts, lectures, workshops…

Where is it? Just a stone’s throw from the banks of the Loire River, and no more than 30 minutes from the châteaux of Chaumont-sur-Loire, Amboise, Chenonceau, and Cheverny…

CHB - Château de la Haute Borde
5-key rating, rates starting at 180 euros per night
6 La Haute Bordé, Rilly-sur-Loire

6. Le Relais de Chambord | The only hotel on the Domaine de Chambord

Here is a convincing 4-star hotel with decor designed by "starchitect" Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Situated in the heart of the Chambord estate, a stone's throw from the castle of François 1er, this former coaching inn has taken on a contemporary style since its reopening in 2018, from the lobby to the 55 rooms and suites, including the large library: wood and leather, designer pieces, tapestries... On the ground floor, guests can dine at the semi-gourmet restaurant at the Le Grand Saint-Michel hotel or at the delightful Les Armes du Château, after sipping a drink on the terrace, just a few steps from the moat. Le Relais de Chambord also boasts a Anne Semonin spa, with hammam, sauna, treatment rooms and outdoor jacuzzi.

Good to know? Although it faces the most famous of the Loire castles, only a handful of rooms have a view of the royal edifice. Unless you're tempted by the Relais' new signature suite. Housed in a "toue cabanée", a traditional Loirer boat converted into a comfortable room, it offers an unrivalled view of the Château de Chambord.

Hôtel Relais de Chambord
55 rooms and suites. From €284 per night.
Place Saint-Louis, 41250 Chambord

7. Abbaye de Fontevraud - L'Hôtel | The chic monastery-style address

In the middle of a 13-hectare park, at the crossroads of Anjou, Touraine and Poitou, stands this monumental royal abbey founded in 1101, one of the most beautiful and largest monastic cities in Europe. Transformed into a cultural and artistic mecca, the Abbaye de Fontevraud has also been home to a 54-room hotel since 2014, converted into a former priory by the design duo Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku, whose sober, even minimalist decor and contemporary furnishings combine to create a chic monastic atmosphere that will delight aesthetes without scaring off ascetics. And there's no question of going on bread and water: at dinnertime, you can sit down at the restaurant of Thibaut Ruggeri, Bocuse d'or and one Michelin star, to taste delicate, unostentatious cuisine based on a sustainable approach.

What makes the difference? The Musée d'Art Moderne and its impressive collection of masterpieces: Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Edgar Degas, Maurice de Vlaminck, Albert Marquet, Kees van Dongen, Robert Delaunay, Juan Gris, André Derain, Germaine Richier...

Where is it? While Abbaye de Fontevraud is (a little) further away from the "star" châteaux, the châteaux of Saumur and Chinon are just 20 minutes away, and Azay-le-Rideau and Villandry are a little further. Not forgetting the marvellous Château d'Ussé, which is said to have inspired Charles Perrault's Sleeping Beauty.

Abbaye de Fontevraud - L'Hôtel Fontevraud L'Ermitage
54 rooms. From 132€ per night.
38 Rue Saint-Jean de l'Habit, 49590 Fontevraud-l'Abbaye

8. La Villa Fleur | An Idyllic Bed-and-Breakfast

In the heart of the Cher Valley, la Villa Fleur is surely the most idyllic guesthouse in the region. You’ll have to choose where to stay: in the dovecote, the caretaker’s house, or the small townhouse (a pied-à-terre right in the heart of the medieval town of Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher). The decor is rustic: antique terracotta tiles, vintage furniture, linen linens, a library, a fireplace… and perfect for families seeking complete independence, with a master suite and a children’s bedroom. All with a view of the park and the surrounding countryside. Or perhaps you’d prefer the charm of the Petite Maison in town.

Where is it? At the gateway to the Sologne region and just a few kilometers from the Beauval Zoo. The nearest castles? Chenonceau, Valençay, and Cheverny—the castle that inspired Moulinsart in*Tintin*.

La Villa Fleur
3 vacation rentals, prices starting at 98 euros per night
26 rue Paul Boncour, Noyers-sur-Cher

9. Château de Noirieux | An Intimate Manor House in Anjou

Located 20 minutes from the beautiful city of Angers and a member of Relais & Châteaux, this 15th-century manor house with its beautiful tuffeau stone facades stands in the midst of a park filled with linden, cedar, and walnut trees. In the 19 guest rooms, the very classic decor—antique furniture, period fabrics, and fireplaces—is occasionally enlivened by Art Deco touches or features charming mansard ceilings. For dining, there’s a gourmet restaurant offering a breathtaking view of the Loire Valley. Outdoors, you can lose yourself in the paths of a living maze or set off to explore the surrounding area on a mountain bike, before returning to take a dip in the heated pool or relax in the whirlpool.

Where is it? At the western edge of the Loire Valley castle region, far from the major tourist attractions. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover lesser-known castles like Château du Plessis-Bourré. A popular filming location thanks to its exceptional setting, its very wide moat—spanned by a 44-meter-long bridge—gives the impression that the 15th-century castle is rising out of the water.

Château de Noirieux
19 rooms, rates starting at 149 euros per night
26 Route du Moulin, Briollay