Off the Beaten Path's Loire Valley Tour Hotel: Chateau des Tertres

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Feature from CNN Traveller about our Loire Valley Hotel, Chateau des Tertres:

This mansion in the heart of the Loire once belonged to the mother of novelist Marguerite Duras (who mentions the chateau in her famous work "The Lover"). Later, in the 1960s, its marble hallways were filled with students from a nearby engineering school, which used the building as a dorm.
In 1992, another curious owner took over management of the 14-room chateau: Bernard Valois, an artist who kept the mansion's 19th-century detailing (high ceilings, gilded mirrors) but added contemporary design flourishes, such as a photograph of a mysterious pair of eyes in the foyer. Last year, Valois and his wife, Christine, redecorated a former gatekeeper's house as a contemporary four-room cottage with knockoff Jackson Pollock paintings and sculptures that resemble enormous eggs.

"My husband likes to turn things that seem ordinary into the extraordinary," Christine says. "He designed a 'Sputnik' bidet that has Japanese robots stationed around the tank." Valois also tends a 12-acre garden of roses and clematises, where guests can find a shed stocked with complimentary bikes for exploring the area's 186 miles of riding paths. (...end of feature text)

Chateau des Tertres Hotel Information

Each of these elegantly appointed and spacious superior rooms is decorated in it's own unique style that reflects the history of the Touraine region. As this is a castle, no two rooms are exactly alike. Each room includes a large king/queen size bed and private en-suite bathroom with all modern amenities (shower/tub, toilet, toiletries, hair dryer, etc.) and a spectacular view overlooking the gardens. Hotel rooms are also equipped with telephone and WIFI access. All rooms for our Guests are located in the chateau.

The hotel itself is located in the heart of the Touraine, known best as the Loire Valley, amidst the calm and beautiful countryside. The owners of the chateau were born and raised in the Loire Valley, are close friends of the owner of Off the Beaten Path, and welcome guests, as distinguished friends' to their chateau hotel. Visit the Chateau des Tertres website for more information.

All accommodations on our small group tours offer a charming, luxurious and historical environment in combination with complete and comprehensive modern amenities and services, and are centrally located to the activities and excursions scheduled for each of our tours. All accommodations on Off the Beaten Path tours of France include large comfortable beds (queen or king size) and fully-equipped, private, en-suite bathrooms. NEVER ANY HOTEL HOPPING.

"Wine & cheese! Feel like I got a real understanding of the Loire Valley, its people, culture and places. Loved the variety of activities, cooking lessons, castle tours and the intimacy of the hotel and not having to move around, and the flexibility of the program was wonderful. Thank you also to our friendly guides!" Karin Heller, Washington D.C. (Loire Valley Castles and Culinary Tour)

"Really enjoyed our guide, Chefs...the castles, excellent choice of restaurants, the 13th century chateau...and finally, our beautiful and quiet chateau accommodations ...Its been a while since I returned from the Loire Valley trip. I just wanted you to know what a wonderful time my sister and I had on the tour...You were just wonderful. It was a very warm experience." Diana Pleva, Los Angeles, CA (Loire Valley Tour)