Loire Valley, France｜There is no noise from tourist groups, only flowing beauty and tranquility
2023-07-05
About Loire Valley in France, Balzac wrote a description that no one resonated with: “We always want to live elsewhere, a quaint castle, a transparent river, beautiful scenery of river valley, time seems to stop here The Loire River is only a place where it flows... Loire is a good place to walk.”
During days of travel in Loire Valley, daily diet and everyday life, without noise of tourist groups, only a little and wonderful warmth, really often makes me want to live forever.
Le Forge du Chateau
On first day of our arrival in Blois, after visiting Royal Chateau of Blois, we went for lunch at Les Forges duChateau opposite castle. It's a small store and it's unusual to go there. In courtyard, immersed in greenery and flowers, there are three or five small round tables. Through floor-to-ceiling interior windows, you can see at a glance gates of Royal Castle of Blois.
The restaurant is adjacent to popular attractions but is sparse and quiet. The owner prepares his own specialties and waits for us to serve them ourselves. Everyone quietly enjoyed food and wine and atmosphere was relaxed and soothing.
The castles of Loire Valley shine like stars and it is also an important wine region in France. This restaurant has a cellar wine cellar that has been used for centuries, which holds a wide range of locally produced fine wines. Do like the Romans, drink light and slow, take your time and be very comfortable.
Address:25 Place du Chateau, 24260 Blois, France
BIG
This is also a century old shop close to popular attractions. Founded in 1913, BIGOT is located opposite Château Royal de Amboise.
Because of delicious desserts and chocolate, it attracts visitors from all over world.
The enthusiastic shop owner is an elderly woman with white hair. She told us that this small shop was founded by her grandmother. She is a third generation successor. It has opened a branch in Seoul and will open a branch in Shanghai. . Business flourishes abroad, and traditions and nostalgia of old family shop are still preserved here.
Address:Rue Nationale, 2, 37400, Amboise, France
le 36
I once went to dinner at Michelin-starred restaurant le 36 at Le Choiseul hotel in Amboise. I saw that visitors at next table behave decently and quietly talk with friends around me. I deliberately turned off my cell phone. and here I made an interesting discovery. Here you can not only taste real and delicious French food, but also learn table setting and color combinations for free.
Address: Quai Charles Guinot, 36, 37400 Amboise, France
Relais des Trois Chateaux
The Loire Valley has castles, fine wines and countless fine bed and breakfasts. You change hotels every day and surprises await you every day. The first night I stayed at Relais des Trois Chateaux next to Château de Cheverny, an old house converted from a church.
My room is an attic with a slanted skylight, I fall asleep under stars and wake up to ringing of a bell like I'm living in a fairy tale.
Address:1 Place Victor Hugo, 41700 Cours-Cheverny, France
Hotel au Charme rabelaisien
The family-run Hotel au Charme rabelaisien is a 5-minute walk from Amboise Castle on the second night.
When we arrived, owner's family greeted us with champagne. After chatting, we learned that landlord and his wife converted their 260-year-old private home into a hotel after they retired. They have two sons, one of whom works as a lawyer in Luxembourg and other works for Uber. In my spare time, I help my parents with hotel business, and warm and loving family atmosphere makes me feel like a guest in a friend's house, rather than traveling.
To have breakfast and take a walk in sunny courtyard in morning, and in evening to read a book in a cozy corner, I remember this time on road more than visiting famous picturesque places.
Address:25 Rue Rabelais, Amboise, France