Le Choiseul

Josette & Gerard Guerlais and their team welcome you to le Choiseul. A charming hotel made up of 3 town houses built in the 18th century just outside Amboise and overlooking the Loire. le Choiseul is composed of three residences:the Maison de l'Ermite , whose rooms open on to Italian style gardens, the Maison du Duc in which the bar and the restaurant are located and the Maison de l'Apothicaire whose rooms overlooki the Loire gardens.

History

Le Choiseul is made up of three houses dating from the 15th and 18th centuries.

The Maison de l'Ermite: Francois de Paule, a Calabrian hermit came to Amboise at the request of Louis XI and founded the congregation of the Minimes in the 15th century. The present house is built on the foundations of the old convent.

The Maison du Duc was given by Louis XV to Etienne Francois Duc de Choiseul, the Minister of Finance and the Army before he, having become rich and important, built a little Versailles: the Chateau de Chanteloup, a short distance away.

The Maison de l'Apothicaire in which Jehan de Gastignon, herbalist to Charles VII and Francis 1st, prepared creams and unguents for the ladies of the Court. He was given a large part of the property, including the cellars and several 'Granaries' which border the back of the estate, by the King. The Granaries include 3 Rooms, one of which is 90 metres long and 4 silos, 4 metres long with double walls, which were used to store wheat. They were used as Tithe Barns. Before the French Revolution, a tenth of the harvest was paid over to the church or the local lord.

In the midst of greenery, on the outskirts of the town of Amboise, 124 miles from Paris.

By road :

• From Paris : Motorway A10, exit Amboise-Château-Renault and onto the D31. After about 9 miles take the Amboise Nord exit, cross the river, turn right and follow the south bank till about 0,2 miles before the town centre.
• From Tours: 15 miles D751 Montlouis - Amboise ,direction Chaumont sur Loire, south bank till 0,2 miles beyond the town centre.
• From Blois : 22 miles N152 then D31 for about 9 miles. Take the Amboise Nord exit, cross the river turn right and follow the south bank till 0,2 miles before the town centre.

By rail :

• TGV from Paris-Montparnasse station ,1 hour trip, from Roissy airport ,2 hours trip, with the first departure at 07.45, St. Pierre des Corps station ,12 miles, Amboise 0,6 miles, or Tours Centre ,14 miles. By air :
• Tours-St-Symphorien airport ,19 miles.
• Amboise-Dierre aerodrome ,6 miles.

Le Choiseul has 32 rooms of 5 different categories, from the most elegant apartment to the most delightful room including junior suites, "Deluxe", "Superior", "Traditional" or "Standard" rooms, located in one of the three residences which make up Le Choiseul: the Maison de l'Ermite, the Maison du Duc and the Maison de l'Apothicaire. All the rooms are elegantly decorated in keeping with their location and enjoy modern comforts. They offer pleasant views over the Italian garden, the Loire and the Château d'Amboise.

Junior Suite

A view over the Loire or the gardens for these rooms with coordinating décor (suitable for 2 or for a family). A comfortable private lounge, bathroom complete with bath and private toilet. - Air-conditioning, mini-bar, hair-dryer, flat screen television.

Traditional Room

Delightful, cosy rooms, some with sloping ceilings and exposed beams overlooking the Loire or the Italian style gardens. They are equipped with a bathroom complete with bath and separate toilet. - Air-conditioning, mini-bar, hair-dryer, flat screen television.

Superior Room

These rooms are spacious, light and nicely decorated. They offer cosy intimacy with views over the Loire, the Château d'Amboise or the Italian style gardens. A sophisticated setting with luxury services. - Air-conditioning, mini-bar, hair-dryer, flat screen television.

Deluxe Room

These are beautiful and stylish large rooms with a lounge area and private terrace. The elegance of the decor emphasises the tasteful ambiance of these rooms where you will rediscover calm and serenity. You will have a view over the Loire and a bathroom complete with bath and private toilet. - Mini bar, hair-dryer, flat screen television.

Leisure

• 15th century terrace gardens
• Open-air heated swimming pool ,open from 1st May to 30th September
• Bicycles on hire
• Fishing in the Loire

Nearby

• Health track 
• Biking
• Horse riding
• 8 Tennis courts
• Fishing
• Hunting
• Learning about wines, wine-tasting, and visits to the vineyards ,Amboise, Montlouis, Vouvray

The Restaurant overlooks the river and the gardens offering a light, delicate cuisine, subtly local, who has won commendations in the guides.

The Head Chef Pascal Bouvier, is not seduced by the gentle nonchalance of the Garden of France, but combines the products of the region with great sensitivity. Pascal Bouvier began his career in houses with Michelin stars. First of all, the Hotel de France in Les Rousses, then L'Ecusson in Beaune where he stayed for two years, Le Taillevent in Paris also for two years and La Cote Saint Jacques in Joigny, a hotel restaurant with 3 Michelin stars, where from the Chef de Partie, he rapidly rose to Assistant Head Chef. He stayed there for four years before coming to Le Choiseul on 1st February 1991 as Head Chef. Since his arrival, Pascal Bouvier has received much praise.

The Gault et Millau Guide noticed him immediately and gave him two toques. The Michelin Guide gave him his first star in 1993. The Bottin Gourmand awarded him a star in 1994. In 1998, he was promoted to Grand de Demain, a Future Master by Gault et Millau.

The Cellar

The cellar holds more than 15,000 bottles. The Loire region is well represented but you can also find Pétrus and Richebourg... Le Choiseul offers you: For individuals: - marrying dishes and wines: on request - visits to cellars: the reception staff are ready to suggest visits of the cellars and make appointments For groups: - marrying dishes and wines: on request - tastings: in the Greniers de César ,a troglodyte cave, or in the drawing room-bar, with charge - visits to cellars: the hotel can offer you a detailed programme on request