Auberge du Bon Laboureur

Family-owned for over a hundred years, what’s now the Auberge du Bon Laboureur is more than twice as old as that; what began as a coaching inn in the year 1786 is now a beautiful little boutique hotel, combining the personable atmosphere of a private residence with the style and service of a professional lodging. The location, in Chenonceaux, a lovely Loire Valley village, is splendid — the chateau, a few minutes’ walk from your door, is a local highlight. And the auberge’s restaurant, under the direction of chef and proprietor Antoine Jeudi, is highly regarded for its classic seasonal French fare.

The hotel has grown over the years, adding a handful of additional houses to the original coaching inn. The rooms, across all of the buildings, combine antique charm with contemporary focus, and the comforts are subtly upscale. There’s a heated swimming pool as well as a tranquil little wellness area, and a bar for a pre-dinner apéritif or an after-dinner nightcap. There’s also a vegetable garden where much of the restaurant’s produce is grown — and from this location, the best of the Loire valley, from chateaux to wineries to nature reserves, is right at your feet.