Auberge du Bon Laboureur is a country inn in Chenonceaux, the small village that grew up beside the Château de Chenonceau. It belongs to the old French tradition of the auberge, a place that combines rooms, a restaurant and a bar and serves as the heart of a village. Staying here means that Chenonceau, usually the most crowded château in the Loire by midday, is on your doorstep. You can walk to the gates before the tour buses arrive, and you can return in the evening when the village has gone quiet. The rooms and the grounds suit couples and anyone who likes a place with character, and the inn is also handy for the Cher valley vineyards and for the small towns that surround the château, including Montrichard and Bléré.
Location and getting around
Chenonceaux has a small railway halt with regional trains to Tours and Amboise, but services are limited and rarely run late, so check the timetable before you rely on them. Most guests arrive by car, which also makes it easy to reach Amboise, Clos Lucé and the Cher vineyards in the days around your château visit.
The walk from the inn to the château entrance is short and pleasant, with the plane-tree avenue that leads to the gate as a reward. Cyclists will find the village a convenient stop on the Loire à Vélo and Cher routes.
The stay itself
Expect a warm, traditional welcome and a style that leans toward country comfort rather than design-hotel minimalism. Rooms differ in size, aspect and character, so mention what matters to you when you book, whether it is a quiet room, a larger room, or space for a family. The restaurant is the other half of the draw and is often a reason to book.
Reserve a table when you book your room, ask which days the kitchen is closed, and check seasonal hours. In winter the inn is calm, the gardens are bare, and the village feels very quiet, which many guests prefer.
Who it suits and what to know: it suits couples, food lovers and travellers who want to wake up next to a château rather than visit one in a rush. It is less well suited to anyone who wants a large selection of restaurants, shops or nightlife, since the village is small. Rates sit in the upper-middle part of the range, with the best value outside summer and weekends.
Breakfast is usually an extra, and parking arrangements vary, so check them when you book. Buy a timed ticket for the château in advance in busy periods, and arrive at opening time for the gallery over the river. Winter evenings in the village are very quiet, so bring a book, plan dinner in advance and enjoy the stillness.
Why stay here
- ✓Traditional country inn
- ✓Walk to Chenonceau château
- ✓Restaurant on site
- ✓Village setting beside the Cher
- ✓Loire à Vélo and Cher cycling nearby
- ✓Regional train halt in the village
- ✓Cher valley vineyards close by
- ✓Check parking and meal times when booking
Good questions
Can I walk from the inn to Chenonceau?+
Yes, the château is a short walk from the village centre, along the avenue that leads to the entrance. It is one of the nicest short walks in the valley.
Is there a restaurant?+
Yes, the inn has a restaurant. Reserve a table when you book your room and check which days the kitchen is closed, as small country restaurants often close on certain days.
Is it practical without a car?+
There is a small railway halt in the village with regional trains, but services are limited. A car or taxi makes it easier to reach Amboise and the surrounding vineyards.
