HERITAGE

Château de Chavigny

Chambourg-sur-Indre - France

A renovated château near Loches, with elegant rooms, a walled park, valley views and a saltwater pool in the heart of the Loire countryside.

Adults Only

Countryside

Pool

Garden

Honesty Bar

Local Activities

THE SETTING

Château de Chavigny is a boutique guesthouse in the Loire Valley, set on a hill in Chambourg-sur-Indre, just outside the historic town of Loches. It has the romance of a château address, but without the weight or formality that can sometimes come with that word. The atmosphere is lighter, quieter and more personal.

From the house, the land opens towards the valley, with the Indre River running through the landscape below. Around the château, there are countryside, parkland, agricultural fields, and small roads leading towards Loches, Chenonceau, Amboise, and the wider Touraine region.

The building has been handled with a clear sense of restraint. Original features are kept, but the rooms and shared spaces do not feel museum-like. There are old stone walls, fireplaces, carved details, parquet floors, hand-cut tiles, and soft, contemporary touches that make the château feel lived-in rather than staged.

THE ROOMS

Accommodation at Château de Chavigny is intentionally limited, with three guest rooms and one one-bedroom gîte. That small scale is important. It keeps the house quiet, personal and far from the feeling of a large château hotel.

The rooms are individually styled, with leafy views over the park and a balance of old and new. Expect soft colours, generous windows, antique touches, natural textures and enough space to feel settled. Rooms include all-natural pocket-sprung king-size beds, Egyptian cotton bedding, White Company towels, Nespresso machines, Molton Brown toiletries, organic teas and coffee. TVs have been deliberately left out, which suits the place. Chavigny is more about reading, sleeping well, walking the grounds, and looking out over the valley than about filling every quiet moment with a screen.

The Maison du Jardinier adds another option for guests who want more independence. As a one-bedroom gîte, it works well for a longer stay or for travellers who enjoy château life with a little more privacy and flexibility.

THE FOOD

Breakfast is served in Le Pressoir, the château’s former press room and one of the most characterful spaces in the house. The room still carries its original stone press, ornate pillars, hand-carved tiles, lime-rendered walls and exposed oak beams. Against that raw setting, white tablecloths, linen curtains and a few softer details keep the atmosphere relaxed.

Later in the day, Le Pressoir becomes a relaxed place for a drink. Guests can enjoy a selection of local wines, beers, and soft drinks, making it easy to return from visiting châteaux or walking in Loches and stay in for a while before dinner.

There is no full restaurant on site, but that is not a problem in this part of Touraine. Loches and the nearby villages have a good choice of restaurants, from simple French bistros to more refined dining, and the hosts can help with recommendations or bookings.

THE STAY

The house has several shared spaces, including the Grand Salon, a large room with valley views, Versailles parquet flooring, a marble fireplace and an ornate ceiling rose. In winter, the fire and candlelight make it feel especially inviting.

Outside, the château has its own walled English-style park with neat lawns, gravel paths, mature trees and seats placed in different corners depending on the sun, shade, privacy or view. The saltwater swimming pool is tucked into the landscape beside the château, with open views across the valley. It is heated and usually open from May to September.

Everything here feels calm and uncluttered. The château has presence, but the experience is not grand in a heavy way. It is more about space, light, good sleep, beautiful rooms and an sense of being looked after.

AROUND CHÂTEAU DE CHAVIGNY

Chavigny is very well placed for exploring the Loire Valley, especially if you want to stay far from the more obvious tourist centres. Loches is one of the strongest nearby stops, with cobbled streets, Renaissance buildings, independent shops, restaurants, a twice-weekly market and the Cité Royale above the town.

The major Loire châteaux are within reach for day trips. Chenonceau is one of the closest classics, while Amboise, Clos Lucé, Chaumont-sur-Loire, Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau, Valençay and Chambord can all shape a longer itinerary depending on how much driving you want to do.

The surrounding Sud Touraine is also worth a visit. Beaulieu-lès-Loches, Montrésor, Chédigny and Le Grand-Pressigny offer smaller, quieter discoveries, from rose-filled streets and medieval villages to prehistoric collections and countryside walks.

For cyclists, the Cyclo Bohème route is a strong asset. It follows the Indre through Touraine and Berry, connecting nature, villages and heritage along a signposted route. Around Chavigny, the landscape is well-suited to slow rides, forest roads, and gentle countryside loops.

THE OWNERS

Château de Chavigny is the project of Ben and Michael, two British who previously ran a guesthouse near La Rochelle before moving into this new chapter in the Loire Valley. That experience shows. Their approach is warm, practical and unforced. The château has the sense of a place run by people who understand hospitality, but who also know when to leave guests alone.

GOOD TO KNOW

Château de Chavigny is best suited to couples, solo travellers and guests looking for a quiet Loire Valley base near Loches. The property has three guest rooms and one one-bedroom gîte, with Wi-Fi throughout but no TVs in the rooms. A car is strongly recommended for exploring Loches, the Loire châteaux, restaurants and the surrounding Touraine countryside.

Rates usually start from around €160 per night, depending on the season and room category.