Chantal's La Porte Bleue was perfect for our stay in Amboise. The air conditioning kept everything at just the right temperature night and day. Chantal was there to greet us at the railroad station and made sure we were all settled in. Her recommendations for restaurants and nearby sites were great. I highly recommend this little treasure located directly across from the castle at Amboise.
This apartment is in the perfect location within walking distance to the beautiful town of Amboise and a good base to explore the Loire area. The 2 bedrooms have full size beds which is important when traveling with older and bigger kids. It is spacious, fully equipped and very clean. The view is amazing. Chantal the host was fantastic, very accommodating in offering us to get in earlier and provided great recommendations. The place has air condition and 2 fans which was needed due to the heat. It is in the 2nd floor with a narrow staircase which is not easy to get full size suit cases up, but well worth it. We will stay there again when we are in the area.
Chantalâs apartment was absolutely charming! It was very spacious, immaculate, had cozy beds and a terrific little kitchen with everything you needed. On top of that the view from it to the Amboise Castle was just remarkable! Our hostess was lovely and made us feel right at home. If you are going to Amboise do not pass up this precious gem!
We had such a wonderful stay at this cozy little gem in Amboise! Even before our arrival, the host went above and beyondâreaching out with detailed instructions on exactly where to pull up for easy unloading of our luggage, and she was right there waiting to greet us. She was incredibly kind, full of local knowledge, and quick to answer any questions we had throughout our stay.There is a narrow staircase leading up to the apartment, so just be prepared to make an extra trip if you have larger bagsâbut itâs totally manageable. And once you reach the apartment, youâre rewarded with a warm, cottage-like space thatâs absolutely full of charm. Exposed wood beams, hardwood floors, a thoughtful collection of books and regional maps, and a peaceful color scheme all create a relaxing atmosphere.But hands down, the best part was the view. Sitting on the couch with a morning coffee, gazing out at the ChĂąteau Royal dâAmboiseâit was pure magic. And in the evenings, walking along the river just outside the door while the chĂąteau lights up is something weâll never forget.The location is unbeatableâjust a short walk across the bridge puts you right in the heart of town, and if youâre exploring the Loire Valley by car like we were, itâs an easy drive to other nearby chĂąteaux.I would HIGHLY recommend this property to anyone visiting the regionâit was a highlight of our trip!
The apartment is cozy and comfortable. The view across the Loire to the Chateau d'Amboise is wonderful, even more at night with the illumination.The host is helpful and delightful. She provided us information on the opening day for the Caves des Roches and we had a wonderful tour of the caves. Great access across the bridge to Amboise with lovely views of the Loire and the flower beds along the way. Amboise is a good central point for visiting the cities and chateaux - Villandry to the west and Chambord to the east. both leisurely one hour drives along the Loire.
It's just the perfect place to be in Amboise! Spectacular view of the river Loire and the royal castle. Very nice, clean and comfortable apartment, just like a home abroad. Chantal is the perfect host, very friendly, cordial and helpful with many recommendations and ideas as to sightseeing and restaurants. There is an open-air swimmingpool very close by, perfect on a hot day and also with a great view of the castle.
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You wont believe this view or location. the size and light and furnishings are great. chantel is truly lovely. But the best oart is the view and the location. If you have found this and you can book it, you will be thrilled when you arrive
My wife & I spent four nights at this wonderful property. The view of the Chateau is as advertised - stunning! Our main floor unit had a spacious and well equipped kitchen, open concept living room with views of the Chateau. The bathroom is very large. Chantal is an excellent host and had much printed information about the area. An excellent location for wine and Chateau tours. We would definitely stay here again.
All in all, staying at La Porte Bleue was the best lodging we had during our vacation in France this year. Chantal makes everything so easy, and then there's the view. The photos tell you all you need to know. It's a great little apartment, with amenities one doesn't expect at this price point. It's the perfect base camp for a Loire Valley expedition.
Hard to figure out what to do on arrival because there is no indication of where you park. Had to knock on first floor door of owners house to figure it all out.
Our stay in "My Beautiful Blue Door" could not have been nicer. The flat is extremely well-appointed and beautifully decorated with intricate and interesting trompe l'oeil painted by the owner. The owner lives nearby and is very accommodating, even arranging to have ice cubes prior to our arrival. She extremely friendly and is a wealth of information and suggestions. Don't miss asking her about a special hike by the river! We plan to return. (This review is written late due to my not previously knowing the link for writing it.)
Chantal, our host, was wonderful We had trouble getting there because of a train strike. She was extremely helpful. Best host ever!
We rented the upstairs flat and it was every thing we needed and more. The location is wonderful. We went on our first hot air balloon ride and we just needed to walk down the block. The city has everything you needed and it is just across the bridge. We loved this city and we loved our stay with Chantal. Because we were on a month long trip and only travel with backpacks, the use of the washer and dryer was much appreciated. Do not hesitate.....book this now before it becomes unavailable. You will not regret it. Oh yeah, the view of the Chateau is amazing! Picture perfect!
Behind this blue door lies a picure book home, comfortable, sunny, with French country colors and flower borders lovingly painted by Chantal herself. Sitting at the kitchen table by the window eating fresh baguettes and looking across the Loire River at colorful hot air balloons floating over the castle, we felt like we were living in a dream. This home, with its welcoming hostess, is the perfect spot for days of lovely drives, amazing castles, walks across the bridge into town for shopping, gourmet French cooking, or just sitting at the window watching people stroll by, hearing different languages. Amboise is the ideal town for a visit to the Loire Valley, and La Porte Bleu is the perfect Home Away!
Cooking breakfast was fun in the cheerful, well-equipped kitchen. The bed and pillows are so comfortable, with fresh, smooth sheets. Laundry facilities in the basement are helpful for the traveler. And reading Chantalâs motherâs story of her experience as a young teenager in WWII France was more moving than many popular novels!
Thank you, Chantal, for making the magic of this region of France come true for us.
My husband, niece and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Amboise and the Loire region and our stay in the loft at La Porte Bleue. In addition her love and pride for Amboise and La Porte Bleue, Chantal was sooo helpful and accommodating both before and during our stay. She was a real added benefit, offering suggestions on things to do, providing some very helpful rides when needed and giving a tour of the lovely wildlife in the courtyard (the picture of the nesting tit was perfect).
The loft was clean, well equipped and bright with a magnificent view. Being on the island offered the perfect combination of close to everything and enough removed to be quiet and allow sweet, private walks along the Loire with an amazing view.
Having bicycles available was fantastic and Chantal's suggestion to ride to Chenonceaux was great. We were there on Sunday and Monday so after the large, wonderful market on Sunday, things were pretty quiet in town. Many restaurants were closed but enough was open to keep us happy... that includes Bigot for pastries and chocolate!
What a delightful experience we had! Can't wait for a return visit.
Merci por tout!
On our arrival I was immediately enchanted with the location. I could have sat for hours looking out at the river and Amboise Chateaux - no words can begin to describe how amazing the location and the view are. The first three nights we stayed in the lower apartment and then the next two nights we stayed in the upper apartment. Our adult son joined us the last two nights and the upper apartment was very comfortable for the three of us with two bedrooms and plenty of space. I am so thankful when I inquired on this property that Chantal didn't tell me that our dates wouldn't work but instead gave us the choice of moving upstairs in the middle of our stay because I don't think we could have found anything better than this. She made the move very easy for us - she had us leave our stuff packed up and she moved it herself upstairs after those guests had departed and the apartment was clean. We came back at the end of our day to find everything moved we couldn't have asked for an easier transition. The lower apartment was my favorite as we could just step out the front door or sit on the steps and drink in the views. However, the upstairs apartment had the same great views - we just couldn't step outside or sit on the steps - and it had two bedrooms, which worked great since our son arrived at that point. Both apartments were comfortable and well stocked and had everything we needed. We went to the Market on Sunday and loaded up with local produce and food and we cooked simple but delicious meals every night in the apartments. The kitchen was adequately equipped for us to cook and it was a way for us to save some money and enjoy the view each night as we watched the sun set and the lights begin to twinkle on across the river. Each morning as we ate our breakfast we watched the sunrise over the river and the chateaux. The location is perfect - Amboise is almost smack center in the Loire Valley and close to everything we wanted to see. Chantal was vey helpful, energetic and a wonderful host, giving us lots of ideas and information about local restaurants and things to see and do. Amboise itself was very convenient - walking distance to the Castle and Leonardo da Vinci's last residence, as well as lots of restaurants, grocery store, bank etc. The Market on Sunday was a delight and we thoroughly enjoyed spending several hours there. A definite YES to staying here.