THE LOIRE - France 2014 - page 557

47 30 32 51, mobile [phone], www.fiefgentil.com , [e-mail] ). It's
located on the edge of Bléré, a 15-minute drive from Amboise and 7 minutes from Chen-
onceaux—from Bléré, follow signs toward Luzille , and it's on the right.
$$ Hostellerie du Château de L'Isle is a rustic, lost-in-time place wrapped in a lush
parkwithapondandacresofgrassontheCherRiver.LocatedinCivray-de-Touraine,two
minutes from Chenonceaux, it offers 12 sufficiently comfortable rooms with laissez-faire
management. Rooms in the main building are better (small Db-€55, standard Db-€70, big
Db-€85-105,tel.[phone], www.chateau-de-lisle.com , [e-mail] ).
The gazebo-like restaurant, as lovely as a Monet painting, features the owner's cooking
(€26-36 meals, limited choices). From the center of Civray-de-Touraine, follow D-81 to-
ward Tours.
$ La Chevalerie owner Martine Aleksic rents four simple bargain chambres that are
family-friendly,withaswingset,tinyfishingpond,sharedkitchens,andconnectingrooms
(Sb-€40, Db-€55, Tb-€75, includes basic breakfast, cash only, in La Croix-en-Touraine,
tel. [phone], [e-mail] ) . From Amboise, take D-31 toward Bléré,
lookforthe Chambresd'Hôte signonyourleftataboutthreemiles,andthenturnleftonto
C-105.
Eating in Amboise
Amboise is filled with inexpensive and forgettable restaurants, but a handful of places are
worth your attention. Some offer a good, end-of-meal cheese platter—a rarity in France
these days. The epicenter of the city's dining action is on Place Michel Debré, along Rue
Victor Hugo, and across from the château entrance. Troll the places here and find a seat if
inspired,orconsidermysuggestions.Afterdinner,makesuretocrossthebridgeforflood-
lit views of the castle, and consider a view drink at Le Shaker Cocktail Lounge (daily
from 18:00 until later than you're awake, 3 Quai François Tissard). For more after-hours
action, try the piano bar at the recommended Hotel Bellevue.
Dining Below the Château
(See “Amboise” map, here . )
L'Epicerie, across from the château entry, serves tasty and well-presented traditional
cuisineatfairprices.Chooseatableoutdoorsfacingthechâteauorintherusticallyelegant
dining room. The snails are scrumptious, and the sauces are delectable. Several menus
come with an amazing cheese platter (July-Sept daily, Oct-June closed Mon-Tue, reserve
ahead, 46 Place Michel Debré, tel. [phone], www.lepicerie-amboise.com ).