Mercure Blois Centre is a mid-range chain hotel in the middle of Blois, the Loire town that sits between Tours and Orléans and acts as the gateway to Chambord and Cheverny. Blois has a royal château of its own, with a famous spiral staircase and four centuries of architecture in one courtyard, and an old town of steep lanes that climbs the hill behind the river. A central hotel makes all of this easy to see on foot. Choose this hotel if you want predictable comfort, a central address and a fair price, and if you plan to spend several days visiting more than one château. Families, solo travellers and couples will all find it practical, and it is a good alternative to Tours when you want a smaller, calmer town in the evening.
Location and getting around
Blois has a railway station with regular trains to Tours, Amboise and Orléans, so a car is not essential for the châteaux along the river. The old town, the royal château, the cathedral and the quays are all within walking distance of a central hotel.
For Chambord and Cheverny you will need a car, a taxi or an organised tour, as public transport to those two is limited, especially in winter. Check how far the hotel is from the station and the château when you book, and ask about parking, which is often charged separately in town centres.
The stay itself
As with most chain hotels, the appeal is consistency. Expect modern rooms of a standard type, a breakfast service and a bar, with differences by room category. If you are a light sleeper, ask for a room away from the street, since a central address means some traffic noise. Families should check which room types sleep three or four. The river quay is a pleasant place for a walk after dinner, and Blois has enough restaurants in the old town to fill two or three evenings without repeating yourself.
Who it suits and what to know: it suits travellers who want an easy, central base at a sensible price, those who prefer a known brand, and anyone planning to combine Blois with Chambord and Cheverny in a few days. It is not a boutique or château experience, so choose Château de Pray or a village inn if you want character above all. Rates vary with the season and with weekends, and are lowest in winter, when the town is quiet and some sights shorten their hours.
Check opening times for the château before you plan your day, and check the details of breakfast and parking when you book. If you arrive late, tell the hotel in advance so the reception can plan for you, and keep the address handy for a taxi from the station.
Why stay here
- ✓Central Blois location
- ✓Mid-range chain hotel
- ✓Walk to the old town and quays
- ✓Station in town for trains to Tours
- ✓Base for Chambord and Cheverny
- ✓Bar and breakfast service
- ✓Family room options
- ✓Check parking when booking
Good questions
Is the hotel in the centre of Blois?+
Yes, it is in the centre of town, close to the river and within walking distance of the old town and the royal château. Check the exact distances on the map when you book.
Can I visit Chambord from here?+
Yes, but not easily by train. Chambord and Cheverny are best reached by car, taxi or an organised tour from Blois, and public transport is limited in winter.
Does the hotel have parking?+
Parking arrangements in town centres vary and may carry a charge. Check the details when you book and ask the hotel on arrival where to leave a car.
