Auberge du Bon Laboureur : a cosy hotel in Chenonceaux

A weekend in Loir-et-Cher was the opportunity to stay at the Auberge du Bon Laboureur, an ultra charming 4-star hotel located in the heart of Chenonceaux and a stone’s throw from the castle which we loved visiting.

We arrived at the Auberge du Bon Laboureur in the evening. We took a small road that the princess loved, because it was “a bit like an adventure”. The staff was very friendly and we were able to go straight to our room located in one of the outbuildings, which was perfect, because it was super quiet.

The decoration is nice, rather cozy, very simple in its style. We liked the bathroom with the large tub and having small windows that overlooked the trees. There were cookies in our room, and it made the princess’ day (or evening rather).

What was our favorite part? The park and the pool and jacuzzi area. We stayed at the Auberge du Bon Laboureur during a rather rainy weekend in September so it was impossible to swim in the pool, however, Dad and the princess had fun in the jacuzzi. She always finds a way to have fun everywhere she is! As for the park … it was our favorite place: in addition to being able to nibble on cherry tomatoes, you can spend time with free-ranging sheep! Inevitably, we went to see them every day.

Our family experience

Which room with a child?

With one or two kids, we recommend a Suite. They are between 40 and 50 m2 large, and the princess liked to have a large convertible sofa for herself. They are really big, with a countryside spirit and we recommend that you request a suite in a building adjoining the hotel in order to fully benefit from waking-up in the countryside, with birds singing.

The princess loved

All the animals! Clearly, if she is more used to more modern hotel rooms, which initially destabilized her a little, she loved being able to go and pet the sheep and herd and talking to them every morning. She also liked the buffet breakfast with lots of choices, such as pancakes and delicious bread.

Of course, she also had a great time in the hot tub!

On the plus side …

What about breakfast?

We really enjoyed the buffet breakfast in a small, bright room. The bread was excellent and there were very good jams. No very interesting vegan options, but with an almond butter or coconut butter spread, you will enjoy an ultra-gourmet breakfast.

We also had dinner at the restaurant which really went out of its way to prepare vegan courses for us. It was a very pleasant moment and the princess loved her tomato pasta: which she tries everywhere she goes, in France or abroad!

We’ll be back for …

If we were to come back, it would probably be for the “guest house” atmosphere. We would probably come back off-season, during the week, for the feeling of being “in the countryside”, far from the bustle of our urban life.

Activities

At the hotel

If the weather is good, you can enjoy the swimming pool, the jacuzzi as well as the Plunge pool (beware, it’s iced water!). Of course, we invite you to spend some time with the animals, to relax in the garden, in short, to enjoy the countryside.

Close to your hotel

Just a stone’s throw from your hotel is the Château de Chenonceau. This wonderful building is surrounded by an incredible park that has charmed us. We had a great time together and we recommend that you spend at least a good part of the day, if not the whole day, there. With kids, prefer the park to the visit of the castle if it is crowded the day you are visiting.