Loire Gastronomic Cycling (accommodation)

Chateau de Chissay , Chissay

The Château de Chissay is a 4 star château hotel steeped in history, set in 25 ha of parkland overlooking the Loire. Lovingly restored back in 1986, it’s said that both Charles VII and Louis XI stayed here.

In the stately dining room, once the guard room, you’ll be treated to delicious cuisine inspired by local produce and also a comprehensive wine list.

The rooms have been tastefully decorated and their bathrooms each feature mosaic designs representing famous people from French history who marked the different periods in time.

L'Aubinière

L’Aubinière is in the centre of an elegant village beside the River Ramberge just 5k north of Amboise. The garden is lovely - willow trees are set in lush lawns full of flowers, you can wander down to the river bank.

Good size swimming pool with views opening on to the garden and its trees.

The 6 bedrooms are stunning; all are different – imaginative design and high quality fittings.

Owned and run by Jacques and Odile Arrayet, it is the restaurant that truly demonstrates their combined skills – Odile is a wine expert, a trained sommelier. Jacques is an artistic chef whose trained eye finds the best regional produce to conjure up dishes that are full of taste and natural flavours. A culinary treat awaits!

Auberge du Centre , Chitenay

This charming ivy-clad hotel is right in the centre of the pretty village of Chitenay, run by the affable Gilles Martinet and his team. Most of the hotels 27 rooms have been recently modernised and Headwater rooms are all en-suite (with bath) and feature satellite tv (including CNN) and telephone.

The hotel has a pleasant terrace overlooking its gardens, which are a real treat on a summers day, as well as an attractive sitting area inside, complete with wooden beams and comfy chairs.

Hotel de France et Guise, Blois

The Hotel de France et Guise is opposite the Château de Blois in the town centre. Your stay is on a bed & breakfast basis as there are so many restaurants in walking distance.

The hotel has an air of grandeur with chateau style decoration in the hall and breakfast room.

Les Trois Mousquetaires, Aire-sur-la-Lys

The Hostellerie Les Trois Mousquetaires is just over a 30 minute from the Eurotunnel terminal and port at Calais as well as the port of Dunkerque. Named after the three musketeers, its appearance and setting are just as romantic as its name. The hotel is a 19C château, which was built on the foundations of a Vauban fortress.

Lovingly converted into a hotel by Caroline and Philippe Venet, its 31 rooms and 2 suites are decorated in period furniture throughout with chandeliers and even four-poster beds in some. The château is full of cosy corners; intimate lounges with open fires, and a comfortable bar where you can linger over an apéritif before dinner.

The chateau's restaurant is a gastronome's delight and a stay here can be no better introduction to the culinary pleasures, which will no doubt await you as you travel through France. The château is surrounded by over 3 hectares of parkland in which you can walk off that dinner, and also has its own golf course, gymnasium and boules pitch.

Nearby is the historical town Aire-sur-La-Lys. Not be missed is its Renaissance Baillage or barracks which was once under the command of d'Artagnan himself. Good for children is the Nausicaa sea centre at Boulogne - an exciting futuristic aquarium.

Hotel Le Senat , Paris

Le Senat is a 3 star hotel but with a 4 star feel! Completely renovated in 2003-2004, all 41 rooms are en suite (with both bath and shower plus Hermes toiletries!) and beautifully furnished with a modern, stylish decor. All have satellite television, mini bar, air-conditioning, safe and hairdryer, plus Internet access.

The hotel has its own small bar – adorned with photographs of eminent artists, being in the heart of the artists’ quarter - plus a reading room where clients can relax with a drink. There is also a very small terrace (enough for only one table and a couple of chairs) for when the weather is more clement.

Breakfast is taken in the basement, where you’ll find a copious buffet of viennoiseries, cereals, fruit salad, ham, cheese, bread, yoghurt, bacon, eggs, sausage, fruit juices, tea or coffee. If you prefer, you can have a continental breakfast served to your room at no extra charge (book in advance though).

Le Senat is perfectly located on a quiet side street just a stone’s throw away from the Luxembourg gardens, and a short 15 minute walk from the vibrant Latin quarter, where you’ll find a plethora of restaurants to suit all budgets.

Hôtel de la Place du Louvre, Paris

This charming 3 star hotel is situated in a quiet side street overlooking the Louvre Palace. Being only a few steps from the Louvre museum, the river Seine and the famous Pont des Arts Bridge, it is a great place to stay whilst exploring the city.

All rooms are tastefully decorated and each is dedicated to an impressionist painter - Picasso, Dali and Dufy to name a few! They all have en-suite facilities plus satellite television, hairdryer, mini-bar, direct dial telephone and air conditioning.

Hotel St Louis, St Omer

A traditional hotel recently modernised in the town centre-Very convenient for the channel ports and also for exploring St Omer itself- an aristocratic town that boasts the finest Cathedral in Northern France.

The hotel has two restaurants. One of these has an airy modern feel, the other is more intimate with low lighting and a brick 'cellar' feel. There is also a residents’ bar- le Flo.

The rooms are furnished in a simple but appealing style and all have en suite bathrooms, satellite televisions and direct dial telephones.

The hotel also has private parking for its guests.