Imagine enjoying the extensive richness of vineyards, ancient castles, old villages, and fruit orchards all in one place. Then, surely, Loire Valley is the right place for you. This beautiful area located in central France is also referred to as the Cradle of the French Renaissance and the Garden of France due to the abundance of cherry orchards and asparagus parcels.
What is most interesting about this region in France is that since 2000 until now, it has been a Unesco World Heritage Site for its landscapes and a vast array of monuments.
In the guide below, you’ll discover where to stay in the Loire Valley for your first visit, although you would want to come to this admirable region in France as soon as possible! This French region is quite diverse, so prepare for a journey filled with all sorts of unforgettable experiences!
Read more: Our Full Guide for spending 7 days in France.
We know that different types of people require different advice on travel accommodations. In this guide include the best areas for
- the first time visitor
- Families
- Couples
- Luxury & Design
- Solo-Traveler
- on a budget
Are you more of a visual learner/travel planner?
Lucky for you, we’ve included a map with all of our favorite neighborhoods and handpicked hotels for all of your travel needs.
Check it out below to get a better idea of where you should stay for your first or next visit to the Loire Valley.
(This guide is always up to date, the last updated January 2025.)
But, first things first:
Here is the question: Where to stay in Loire Valley for a first-time visit?
The answer is simple: Tours
One of the largest cities in France, is located between two rivers – the Loire to the north between Orléans and the Cher to the south. It is definitely the best place to stay in Loire Valley because it has everything for you to experience the French bonne vie (good life). Incredible restaurants, world-famous wines, buildings with white-blue slate roofs, and tasty local gastronomy are some of the many reasons this area is recommended for first-time visitors.
Some of these areas include:
- Loire Valley Castles
- Saint-Gatien Cathedral
- The Musée des Beaux
- The Garden of France
Why do we recommend these areas?
Tours are all you need to see as your first time staying in Loire Valley. From an array of soaring castles, and delicious cuisine and wine, you’ll be able to discover the warm and welcoming character of the region, as well as its people!
To understand why the Loire Valley is called the Cradle of the French Renaissance, I suggest visiting as many castles as possible! Some of them have been established ever since the 13th century, making them a treat for history lovers across the globe. In addition, their architecture and interiors will make design travellers fall head-over-heels for them!
Furthermore, the beautiful Saint-Gatien Cathedral, a Roman Catholic church dedicated to Saint Gatianus, features a mix of architectural styles where you can learn a lot about the history of this amazing country.
If you are interested in enjoying outstanding gardens between the Loire and Cher rivers, The Garden of France is the perfect star of your discovery. And do not forget, here is The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours, a very cozy and pleasant gallery with a touch of ancient and modern times.
Here’s a full map for you to understand the different areas.
Please note: those might not be the exact names of the districts, neither its absolute borders. I just tried to simplify this information.
| 📍Best Area: | Tours |
| 👨👩👧👦 Best for Families: | Enjoy the Silence |
| 👩❤️👨 Best for Couples: | Le Clos d’Amboise |
| 💎 Best Luxury Hotel | Le Manoir Les Minimes |
| 🤩 Best Design Hotel: | Hotel Anne D’Anjou |
| 😎 Best for Groups: | The People |
| 🦸 Best for Solo-Traveller: | Hôtel QUICK Palace Tours Nord |
| 💃 Best Hotel for Nightlife: | City Résidence |
| 🤑 Cheapest Place to stay: | Hotel Saint Eloi |
| 👌 Safest Area: | Amboise |
- Best areas and handpicked hotels for Loire Valley
- Families
- Couples
- Luxury Traveler
- Design Traveler
- Groups
- Solo-Traveler
- Nightlife-seeking traveler
- Budget Traveler
- Neighborhoods and its differences
- FAQs
- Summary
1. Best areas and handpicked hotels for Loire Valley
While I recommend Tours as an excellent option for where to stay in Loire Valley, the region boasts several amazing locations that will excite all kinds of travellers. To provide the best experience, I have hand-picked a couple of my favourite places to stay here, making your journey the best one yet!
Continue scrolling or pick your group and travel type on the menu:
1.1 Families
1.2 Couples
1.3 Luxury Traveler
1.4 Design Traveler
1.5 Groups
1.6 Solo-Traveler
1.7 Nightlife-seeking traveler
1.8 Budget Traveler
1.1 Families
Staying in Loire Valley with kids is an excellent travel option for family holidays because it suggests extensive ideas for family activities. From zoos, adventure parks, and aquariums to mystical villages and caves, kids will enjoy their imaginations as much as their parents.
Tours
- Hot air balloon rides;
- Educational opportunities;
- Lots of outdoor activities like biking, hiking, and river cruising.
Amboise
- A charming town that is so popular with kids due to the Château d’Amboise;
- The whole family can learn a lot about Leonardo da Vinci;
- Cultural experiences.
Handpicked accommodations for families
Here are the best hotel accommodations for families when questioning where to stay in Loire Valley for the first time.
Enjoy the silence, Tours
With its location in the center of Tours, this hotel is a short distance away from many exciting activities for the whole family Enjoy the Silence offers very comfortable rooms, perfect for children as well as an extensive garden with kids play area where kids can recreate while parents are resting.
Hotel Restaurant Bellevue, Amboise
Hotel Restaurant Bellevue is located in the heart of Amboise, near the famous Château d’Amboise, where kids can enjoy all kinds of activities. Tasty breakfast is available in this hotel, with fresh fruit, bread, and flavorful cakes – a real enjoyment for the little ones. Secondly, this place to stay in Loire Valley offers spacious rooms with separate doors, so both you and your kids can enjoy your privacy.
1.2 Couples
To visit all these breathtaking chateaux and adorable village markets with someone special and enjoy some of the best wine and tasty food, look at these best areas and hotel accommodations in this idyllic French region.
Amboise
- The most amazing romantic experiences;
- Famous and exclusive Chateau Royal d’Amboise tour
- The town’s quaint streets, charming cafes and lovely gardens;
Chenonceaux
- Château de Chenonceau, often called the “Château des Dames”.
- The surrounding area, with vineyards and beautiful landscapes along the Cher River.
- As home to only 400 people, this village offers ideal guesthouses and intimate hotels for couples.
Handpicked accommodations for couples
Le Clos d’Amboise, Amboise
Le Clos d’Amboise is located in the heart of Amboise. Guests have free access to the heated outdoor pool open in summer, and there is also a sauna. Further, it offers elegantly decorated rooms complete with a mini-bar, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and air conditioning. Also, breakfast is available every morning, and it can be taken on the terrace during summertime to enjoy the gentle landscapes of Amboise.
O’GB La Rennaissance, Chenonceaux
With its superb location in the center of Chenonceaux, O’GB La Renaissance offers an ideal place to stay in the Loire Valley, allowing you to visit the chateaus early in the morning and avoid the public. It is a lovely spot, especially because of its spacious and tastefully decorated rooms with comfortable king-size beds.
1.3 Luxury traveler
Amboise
- Plenty of 5-star hotels and luxury apartments with outstanding views;
- Many shopping spots as well as modern and opulent restaurants;
- Tasty cuisine;
Chenonceau
- Modern lounges with much more exclusive and luxury vibes;
- Exclusive tours and wellness retreats;
- Chateau de Chenonceau
Handpicked accommodations for the luxury traveler
If you are willing to give yourself a luxury treatment with world-class service, be prepared to pay a much higher price. But, honestly, there is no better feeling than spending a weekend away at a 5-star hotel with no responsibilities or worries about what to eat or when to clean! With that in mind, here are my first-class options for where to stay in Loire Valley.
Le Manoir Les Minimes, Amboise
The first choice when you want to add luxury to your trip in Amboise! In this hotel, you can have celebrity treatment with highly equipped rooms with air conditioning and satellite TV, a tasty and plentiful breakfast, a bar with an extensive wine list, and excellent room service. Simply put, Le Manoir Les Minimes has an air of comfortable luxury where you will not worry about anything.
Auberge du Bon Laboureur, Chenonceaux
Another choice when seeking luxury is Auberge du Bon Laboureur Chenonceaux. Located in the center of Chenonceaux, this best place to stay in Loire Valley offers a heated outdoor swimming pool during all seasons and Scandinavian baths. Guest rooms are opulently decorated and with an array of modern amenities, including high-class bathrobes and even a fireplace!
1.4 Design-lovers
As previously mentioned, the French region is a mecca for design travellers as every inch of this place is brilliantly artistic. With that in mind, coming up with where to stay when visiting the Loire Valley will be a breeze!
Here are the top two best areas of the region that you can enjoy if you are a design traveller.
Saumur
- Stunning examples of Renaissance architecture;
- Designed shops with handmade jewellery;
- It hosts design-centric events;
Tours
- The best scenic locations for photos;
- Beautiful vineyards and designed gardens;
- Visiting Saint-Gatien cathedral with gorgeous Gothic facade and towers back to the 12th century, with Renaissance tops.
Handpicked accommodations for the design lover
As mentioned above, you can enjoy large green spaces in this French city from your hotel view. In addition to that, you may look into these hotels and see if it suits you the most.
Hôtel Anne d’Anjou, The Originals Collection, Samur
Close to the center of Saumur, the hotel Anne D’Anjou is exceptional for the history of its walls. Additionally, around five rooms here still have their original décor from the Empire periods, Louis XVI and Restoration. Around 40 rooms are fully renovated in 2020, from where you can appreciate a glorious view of the Loire or the Château of Saumur. Also, guests can enjoy the wellness center with a perfectly designed jacuzzi and sauna at an additional charge.
Hampton by Hilton Tours Centre, Tours
On the other hand, here is the famous town of Tours and its most uniquely designed hotel – Hampton by Hilton Tours Centre, France. This hotel offers super clean and chic rooms, all with striking blue wallpapers and modern-designed beds. Incredible interiors, along with their aesthetics and décor, will give you a surprising experience.
1.5 Groups
Here, you can find the best places to stay in Loire Valley and the best hotel recommendations for group stays.
Tours
- Very easy to navigate – central location;
- Cathedral for Saint Gatien;
- Musee des Beaux-Arts;
Amboise
- Wide array of activities with group discounts ;
- Spacious gardens and castles;
- Chateau d’Amboise;
Handpicked accommodations for groups
For group travellers, the best option is always an apartment-style accommodation with a shared kitchen and a spacious guest room.
The People, Tours
The People-Tours has beautiful accommodations with a large garden, shared lounge, a terrace, and a restaurant in Tours. It offers a bar, a shared kitchen, a business center, and luggage storage for guests, which makes it perfect for group travellers. Also, each room has a private bathroom with a shower, which is always convenient.
Au Charme Amboisien, Amboise
Likewise, the previous hotel is the same as this, only in a different location. Placed in Amboise, Au Charme Amboisien is the best option for group stays because it has spacious rooms with a strong feeling of relaxation and highly equipped bathrooms.
1.6 Solo-travelers
Here are the top areas where to stay in Loire Valley as a solo traveller, known for their safety and convenience.
Tours
- Safe and comfortable for males and females;
- Easy socialization;
- Everyone speaks the English language;
Amboise
- Plentiful accommodation for solo travels;
- Spectacular coastline;
- Noted as the best place to stay in Loire Valley for safety
Handpicked accommodations for a solo traveler
Although hostels are perhaps the perfect accommodation when travelling alone, I suggest you look at these hotels, which have plenty of activities for solo travellers.
Hôtel QUICK Palace Tours Nord, Tours
An ideal mix of convenience and comfort can actually be experienced in this hotel, making it a top pick for staying solo. Hôtel QUICK Palace Tours Nord is nearly 5 km from the Tourist City center. This hotel offers a sauna, a fitness center, and indeed important – en suite guest rooms with flat-screen TVs.
Hôtel Le Blason, Amboise
Another choice for solo travellers is the Hotel Le Blason, located in Amboise. It boasts charming single-bed rooms that offer great privacy and are really quiet as well. Also, this place to stay in Loire Valley is within walking distance of the castles, so you can easily go out and explore them.
1.7 Nightlife Traveler
If you are interested in parties and nightlife while staying in the Loire Valley, look no further than the lively Tours!
Tours
- Incredible nightlife with plenty of pubs and clubs open till sunrise;
- Central location;
- Theaters and performance venues;
Handpicked accommodations for nightlife
Here are top stays in Loire Valley for a really nightlife-seeking traveller.
City Résidence, Tours
This residence offers nearly 100 spacious single rooms. Surprisingly, in City Résidence, you will have your best sleepover after a late night out because even though it is located in the center of Tours, it has excellent isolation, and you will not hear the trains and crowns outdoors.
1.8 For the Budget Traveler
Do not worry, there is a long list of budget hotels and accommodations for where to stay in Loire Valley, and I’m bringing you some of the best ones!
Tours
- Free tours and activities, like the Cathedrale Saint-Gatien and the Musee des Beaux-Arts.
- Inexpensive dining options
Blois
- Lots of public transport with low prices;
- Variety of affordable fast food corners and coffee shops;
- Chateau de Blois and the Maison de la Magie Robert-Houdin.
Handpicked accommodations for budget traveler
Travelling with a strict budget can be an exciting experience if you are well organized. In that matter, look at these cheapest accommodations in Loire Valley.
Hôtel Saint Eloi, Tours
Hotel Saint Eloi has an admirable location in the center of Tours – who says all budget hotels have to be located so far off? Even for a one-star hotel, you get plenty of amenities such as free WiFi, delicious breakfast pastries, and a staff who goes above and beyond to provide a fabulous stay. What more could you need?
Premiere Classe Blois Nord, Blois
The Hotel Première Classe Blois Nord is a comfortable and cozy place in Blois. All 70 rooms have a working area, a private shower, and a TV. Keep in mind though that check-in is done by a machine and previous travellers have reported for it to be a little challenging, so make sure you have precise instructions before you arrive.
2. Best Neighborhood to Stay in Loire Valley
Tours
Firstly, Tours is the best neighbourhood to start when speaking about where to stay in Loire Valley. This area is definitely one of France’s greenest places. Near Tours, you can find the incredible Sain Gatien Cathedral, built in the 12th century with a gorgeous Gothic façade and towers, and The Musee des Beaux-Art de Tours.
As known as the first city of the silk industry, you can do quick shopping on the latest fashion trends. Within the city center, you will have access to almost everything, which means more walking around while visiting the castles or amazing parks and less transportation. Plus, old chateaux and beautiful formal gardens in Tours make for an enjoyable and peaceful outdoor experience in all seasons.
Amboise
In Amboise, there is a marvellous Chateau Royal d’Amboise tour (mentioned above), which is the perfect place to sit and enjoy breathtaking scenery while tasting sparkling wine and some canapés. Further, you can also visit the Clos Lucé manor house where Leonardo da Vinci lived. It is definitely a stunning province where you can explore its magnificent culture and history.
Saumur
This western French town is the ultimate destination in Loire Valley. Moreover, it is famous for its vineyards and attracts many French and international tourists. Furthermore, it is also one of the major zones in the country for horseback riding. Besides, in Saumur, you can enjoy strolling around since many pedestrian zones are in the historical city center and allow you to discover all the beauties of the city on foot!
Blois
Lastly, the most popular basecamp for experiencing the fairytale châteaux, visiting vineyards and medieval villages of the Loire Valley. Blois is the capital of the Loir-et-Cher department in central France and is known for its royal château, home to an impressive 17 French kings and queens throughout its 10-century history. In this neighbourhood, there are many popular activities such as châteaux tours, bike rides along the famous Loire à Vélo cycle route, or hot air balloon flights.
FAQs
What is the best neighborhood to stay in Loire Valley?
The best neighborhood to stay in Loire Valley is Tours. This centrally located city offers a perfect starting point for exploring the region with its green spaces, historical landmarks like Saint Gatien Cathedral and The Musee des Beaux-Arts, and convenient access to various activities and amenities.
Where should you not stay in Loire Valley?
While Loire Valley has many charming towns and cities, personal preferences may vary. However, it's important to note that individual tastes differ, and what might not appeal to one person could be perfect for another. It's recommended to do thorough research on different areas and choose based on your specific interests and travel goals.
What should I avoid in Loire Valley?
While Loire Valley is generally a safe and beautiful region, it's advisable to avoid rushing through the numerous attractions. To fully appreciate the richness of vineyards, castles, and villages, take your time to explore and immerse yourself in the local culture. Additionally, be mindful of peak tourist seasons if you prefer a quieter experience.
Where should I stay in Loire Valley for the first time?
For a first-time visit to Loire Valley, Tours is highly recommended. As one of the largest cities in the region, Tours provides a perfect blend of historical landmarks, excellent cuisine, and access to world-famous wines. It serves as an ideal base to explore the Cradle of the French Renaissance and the Garden of France, offering a diverse range of unforgettable experiences.
Map + All Sights
Summary where to stay in Loire Valley
To sum up, Loire Valley includes other significant towns besides Tours, such as Amboise, Angers, Blois, Chinon, Saumur, Montsoreau, and Orléans. They are all easily reachable from Paris, and all of them are famous for their unique creative and historical heritage. So it is up to you to decide where to stay in Loire Valley and have an incredible trip.
For more questions on the region, feel free to contact me!
Other European Destinations
Before you run off, here is a few more handwritten articles for you. These will help you to find more unique experiences and enjoy your holidays at fullest.
- Where to stay in Madrid? A complete guide on how to spend 7 days in Madrid
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- Barcelona card review (updated January 2025)
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- Where to stay in London on a Budget
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Any Questions?
There you have it. I hope you have no questions and found your home in my home town.
However, please remember: I am not perfect, and it is likely I missed a few things to point out.
Therefore: Do you have questions? Is anything not clear?
Please please please drop me a comment below with your email! I will reply to you ASAP via email and here in the comments.
In fact, your questions help me to make this article better. So I help you to help me.
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