We are planning to be in France in February. We will be driving and just like to experience small French towns. While I know that most chateau in the Loire Valley will be closed that time of year, can I expect to find plenty of hotels, restaurants, and shops open in smaller towns? Specifically the areas around Amboise, Blois, Montrichard? Should I make hotel reservations in advance or would we be okay just stopping in? Thanks for any input you can give us on this.
Posts: 4 | Location: Texas | Registered: 15 May 2007
The above post is really from me. I was having trouble changing my email address. I think I finally have figured out how to do it. Didn't want you to think I was a new member. Thanks.
I don't think the major châteaux are closed in February. All of them — Amboise, Blois, Chambord, Cheverny, Chaumont-sur-Loire, Chenonceaux, Valençay — have web sites that will give you their schedules. Valençay might be the exception to the rule on winter closings. I remember going there in Feb. or March 2007 and finding it closed for the season.
Restaurants, hotels, and other businesses are definitely open in February. Blois is a city and does not operate on a seasonal basis. The same is true of towns like Amboise, Montrichard, and Saint-Aignan, which are not resorts but real communities. Businesses operate year-round.
If you are adventurous, I'm sure you can find hotels in this area without reserving ahead of time. It all depends on how picky you are about comfort levels and amenities. And whether you want to spend time looking for a place in case the first one you come upon can't accommodate you. Have you thought about renting a gîte?
The weather in February can vary greatly. There might be sunny warm days, and there might be cold weather, even snow.
Ken, Thanks for your reply. Yes, I have considered renting a gite. I just don't know enough about the area to make a decision as to where I should stay. We actually like to stay in small towns. That is why we are looking at the Amboise area but I am still open on that. We are really looking forward to exploring the Loire Valley. We have a week in February and I am prepared for the weather. I have been in the Avignon area in January and it was really cold. My daughter lives in Belgium, so we visit that area fairly often in the winter. I have been to Provence several times and Alsace/Champagne areas once. This will be my first visit to the Loire Valley area. I thought I had read that the chateaux in the area would be closed this time of the year. Glad to hear I was wrong.
If you have any suggestions on where to stay, I really prefer to make advance reservations as I don't speak french and find that can makes a difference when trying to find a place to stay.
I think Amboise would be a very good choice. We've stayed twice here, which is out in the country between Montrichard and Amboise. If you were going in any other season, I'd recommend it highly, but in the dead of winter, when it gets dark so early, I think it might be better to be in a small town and Amboise is a lovely town and nicely located.
I'm not sure I agree with Chris here. A few years ago, we used to regularly rent a gite over Christmas, and really enjoyed going out and sightseeing (and maybe lunching out) during the day, and then returning, lighting a good log fire, and settling down for a cosy evening in.
And actually, by February the days aren't that short. This site shows sunsets at around 6 (and sunrises at 8).
Staying in a town does have its advantages, of course - but going back to your own little cottage in the country after a day out is a really nice feeling. Whenever I've read the reviews (quite a few now on site: see the links from the page that Chris has given) I've wanted to go and stay at La Barauderie.
Jonathan
Posts: 3405 | Location: Stroud, UK | Registered: 18 November 2001
We stayed for one winter week in a gîte on this vineyard right outside Chinon across the river. The gîte is well equipped and spacious. The grounds have a view of the medieval town of Chinon. I highly recommend this inexpensive rental. If you search "Vaugaudry" (name of the estate) you can find a description in English of the place on this webpage Bon séjour.
Chris - thanks for your reply. I had already seen your review of that property. I am concerned about the days being short. My husband and I do not see well driving at night. That is why we are more inclined to stay in a town. I would like to find a place where we could walk to dinner and not have to worry about the drive.
Jonathan - thanks for the sunrise/sunset site. That is about what I expected for that time of year. I love the idea of coming back to a place and settling in by a roaring fire. That is my kind of evening. Now...if I could just find that in a small town where we could walk to dinner and then return to a roaring fire....
We stayed at Le Clos d'Amboise a few years ago, and highly recommend it. We stayed in the "pavilion" adjacent to the main building, and enjoyed our rooms and the garden. But we didn't spend much time in the main part of the inn, so I'm not sure whether they might have a nice common room with a fireplace. (We opted to eat breakfast in town rather than at the hotel.)
Amboise is a lovely little town, but we were there in spring, and I don't know how much is open in winter. You can read my trip report, with a bit about the inn here.
I don't know about driving in the dark, but I can certainly back up Chris 100% on her gite rental. We rented the same place this summer and found it heavenly!! The town of Montrichard is close enough (and seriously excellent) for all of your shopping/dining needs. The chateaux are near, as are great vineyards. You will find the perfect place for you, I am sure. Enjoy the process!
Laura
Posts: 919 | Location: Edmonds, WA | Registered: 01 April 2006
Wow! You have all given me a lot of research to do! Roz, I have been looking at Le Clos d'Amboise. It may fit our needs. I have also looked at this townhouse but I can not find any reviews of it.
I've never seen a listing or review for that townhouse, either, Norma, but I really like the looks of it. You might ask the owners for email addresses of former guests if you want to check further. The location couldn't be better. You'd be within walking distance of lots of restaurants.
We spent several days last summer (2007) in Amboise and stayed at the manoir Saint Thomas. It is a delightful place, well run, great breakfasts, lovely rooms and baths and a very easy walk to the Chateau, main streets, restaurants, etc. Prices were quite reasonable. We loved Amboise.
Posts: 192 | Location: Philadelphia | Registered: 11 March 2007
There is a new gîte in Saint-Aignan. It's Les Grilles du Château and looks very attractive. I haven't seen it except from the outside and don't know the owners.
It would give you a country feeling in a nice old house, but the convenience of being able to walk into town to restaurants and cafés. It's true that days in February are not the shortest, and as I said it is possible that the weather then will be sunny and pleasant. Saint-Aignan is about 15 miles from Chenonceaux and Valençay, and about 20 miles from Chambord, Amboise, Montrésor, and Blois.
Very good choice, the Loire Valley... I grew up arround this place and I can say it's one of the best and main historical place of France.
What kind of hotel are you looking for ? In febuary it's not a full time season but it could be most reasonable to make reservations for the first nights.
Do you know that you can spend your nights in small or private castels ? The prices are not so expensives and you can share a bit of history of France...
If you need some help for planning your trip there, ask me, I can help you (and anybody else) with pleasure.
Sundreen
Posts: 15 | Location: Provence, France | Registered: 17 November 2008
I could use some help! (Sorry to hijack the thread)
I'm going to the Loire in February for a long weekend; 2 moms, 2 daughters under 16. I've been to the Loire several times, but the rest have not. We'd like a cozy gite for 3 nights and a wonderful castle for the last night. Or just a wonderful castle...most that we found were very massive-hotel like. Can you recommend anything? Turrets would be wonderful.
We plan(hope) to see Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise and maybe one other, taking into account that most are closed Sunday. Do you have a recommendation for what we could do on Sunday?
You must have checked the web sites for the châteaux you mention, but I am surprised to hear that Chambord or Chenonceaux would be closed on a Sunday, even in February.
Have you checked out the Château de la Bourdaisière (here's a link) as a place to stay? Friends of mine stayed there a few years ago and the room was huge. The château is a nice one too. It's not far from Tours, Chenonceaux, and Amboise.
