Amboise, France
Au Charme Rabelaisien Amboise
Timbered garden townhouse
Timbered garden townhouse
Ten rooms fill this 18th-century residence, where guest life revolves around a quiet walled garden and heated pool.
What it’s good at
Notable
An 18th-century timbered residence quietly repurposed into a ten-room Loire Valley inn.
Listed
A garden annexe offering private sessions with a traditional sauna and hydromassage hot tub.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
This timbered house on the Rue Rabelais has been a bank, a school, and a solicitor’s office, and now it’s one of the most memorable small hotels in France.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
The royal chateau is a short stroll away, and local restaurants line the surrounding historic streets.
The rooms
Bathrooms have bathtubs and hydromassage showers. Selected rooms open onto private terraces facing the garden.
The pool
Bring a swimsuit.
The heated swimming pool sits in the walled garden, looking out toward town rooftops and the chateau.
Sauna and hot tub
The timber-lined sauna and hydromassage hot tub sit in a garden annexe looking onto the courtyard.
At the table
Breakfast is served beside wide windows looking onto the courtyard, laid with blue-and-white patterned china.
How it began
Centuries of civic use preceded its conversion into an inn, recently taken over by seasoned Touraine hoteliers.
Amboise
More like this
La Maison Rabelais
“Converted schoolhouse residence”
The app
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.