To stay at a Bed & Breakfast in France which offers the country and the city as well as a local tour guide is hard to find, but that is exactly what you will discover when you stay at Le Manoir de la Maison Blanche in Amboise.

The Loire Valley is the land of the chateaus in France, and Amboise is the city (a small lively city) in proximity to many of the most well-known chateaus: Chambord, Chenonceau, Chaumont and of course Amboise’s own chateau found in the city.

A full bed and breakfast located on three hectares of wooded land, the 17th century manor, Maison Blanche is in the city of Amboise and includes acreage home to four-legged residents as well – a goat named Jenny, three llamas, a horse and the ambassador of the B & B, Lou Lou, the gentle Great Dane (he is seen above). In other words, this is a B & B for animal lovers (you can see why I felt so at home).

I had the opportunity to meet and spend a day with Annick at her property this past July (my reservations for staying in the Loire Valley were already made before I learned of her B & B and oh, how I wish I had stayed here), as well as be taken to the heart of Amboise for lunch and meet some of the local restaurateurs as Annick knows just about everyone as she has lived in Amboise her entire life (and owned a restaurant in Amboise for some time as well). Upon sharing my first post on Instagram of my visit to Maison Blanche, many followers commented that they had stayed at Annick’s B & B and immediately recognized Lou Lou. Annick also drove me around town, sharing with me Leonardo da Vinci’s final residence (of which he lived the last few years of his life) which is within walking distance from the Château d’Amboise. Speaking of the chateau, located across the street is the road upon which multiple cafes are located, and where Annick and I enjoyed our lunch and a second cafe for crepes for dessert. Scrumptious, and a setting that was convivial, as well as relaxing.

To stay in Maison Blanche is to discover reasonably priced comfort in a lovely French city along the Loire River with endless options to explore and a personal guide to ensure you have a wonderful experience.

Located down a quiet tree-lined lane, the property opens up with the Maison Blanche adorned with pink hydrangeas, of which made me feel immediately at home. With accommodations available for two travelers at 100 Euros/a night, the price is a deal for the locale, accommodations and privacy tucked away from the bustle of the town.

One TSLL reader who has stayed with Annick many times over the years recommended I reach out, and I am extraordinarily happy that I did (thank you June!), as I now know where I will be staying when I return to visit the Loire Valley. Have a look below at the grounds and interiors of Maison Blanche, and be sure to check out more images and availability on their website. And if you do make a reservation, be sure to say hello to Annick (and Lou Lou) for me. It was an absolute pleasure to meet her and spend time in the city and on her property. A better host you could not find.

~the tree-lined lane looking out from the property~

~breakfast area overlooking the grounds and awash with the morning sunshine (image courtesy of Maison Blanche)~

~two of the accommodations – above and below (images courtesy of Maison Blanche)~

~Lou Lou looking out from the foyer~

~Jenny, the goat, and the young baby llama in the background (her parents also live on the property)~

~the entrance of the property~

~aerial image courtesy of Maison Blanche~

~Annick feeding the father llama and Jenny~

~To learn more or make reservations visit Maison Blanche’s website here, you can also find Maison Blanche on Airbnb (Annick is a SuperHost).

French Week 2018 – Posts So Far . . .

• Welcome to TSLL’s French Week & a Short Message from Shannon
• A Linen Giveaway from Soak & Sleep
• Claude Monet’s Giverny: My Time with the Famous Waterlilies and Those Copper Pots & Pans
• Cooking in Provence with Patricia Wells
• French Linens: The Fields, The History, and Why It is Truly Luxurious Fabric (and where to find a sheet set of your own)
• #221: Waking Up In Paris Author Sonia Choquette — A Conversation on Reinvention
• A Review of Tish Jett’s New Book: Living Forever Chic
• TSLL’s Tour of Les Jardins de Villandry
• Aix-en-Provence & M.L. Longworth – Talking about the Paris of the South of France
• Find Your Perfect Provence (Simply French) Market Tote
• Giveaway – French Wall Decor Prints from Modvin
• All You Need to Know About the Markets in Provence (and in France for that matter)
• Lunch with Julia Child at La Couronne in Rouen, France

TSLL’s 3rd Annual French Week continues through August 19th with at least two posts per day. À bientôt!

~Catch up on all of TSLL’s French-Inspired posts here and French-inspired podcast episodes here.