Le Nid De La Loire

Getting the keys was easy since the owners live right above the studio. The kitchenette has enough for breakfast and simple meals, with an espresso machine, toaster, kettle and a tea towel, though the appliances need to be moved around to use them properly. The bed is comfortable, and the studio’s spot at the foot of the castle in a listed building is ideal for seeing Blois’s historic center. The mezzanine means you need plenty of light even in broad daylight. Restaurants right nearby bring some evening noise, but it wasn’t really bothersome. The bathroom and toilet, though, are microscopic and awkward, with a very narrow door, steps, and a shower and sink fit for a garden gnome. It’s hard to dry off without bumping into things. That cramped bathroom doesn’t justify the nightly price.

The owner is friendly, but the accommodation was a letdown, especially with a bathroom that’s practically nonexistent. The apartment is in a converted cellar that opens straight onto the street. This was the only disappointment of my vacation. I’d strongly recommend a nearby budget hotel.

Comfortable accommodation right by the castle and the city center!