Auberge du Bon Laboureur
#5 in Loire Valley, 4.7/5 Google rating
The hotel
One defining fact sets the tone: the same family has run this house for more than a century. The building started as a coaching inn in 1786, on the village street of Chenonceaux. It is now a five-star hotel of 29 rooms, spread across five characterful houses rather than a single block, which is why no two rooms read quite the same.
The address is the draw. The Château de Chenonceau—the arched château that spans the River Cher—sits a few minutes' walk from the door. You can see it in the morning before the coach tours arrive and walk back for lunch. Tours, Amboise, and the other Loire châteaux are a short drive.
Dining is the second reason to book. The restaurant, led by chef-proprietor Antoine Jeudi, works seasonal Loire produce, much of it from the kitchen garden, and is listed in the MICHELIN Guide. It is recommended, not currently starred—worth knowing if a star is your reason for coming. A heated pool, a small wellness area, and a bar round out a deliberately low-key property.
The numbers behind our placement: a 4.7/5 guest rating across roughly 1,700 published Google reviews, which we convert to an HFK score of 9.4/10. The method is plain—verified guest rating times two—so you can check our work. It lands at #5 among the Loire Valley hotels we track.
Anniversary
The case for an anniversary here is the dinner and the walk. Book a garden-facing room in one of the quieter houses, take the short walk to the château at golden hour, and reserve the gastronomic menu the same night. The scale—29 rooms, one family—means staff tend to remember why you came.
Honeymoon
For a honeymoon, this is the soft-landing Loire base: a heated pool and small wellness area for slow mornings, a serious kitchen for the evenings, and châteaux within easy reach by car. It is intimate rather than resort-scale, so plan day trips to fill out a longer stay.
Honest trade-offs
- The restaurant is in the MICHELIN Guide but not currently starred. If a Michelin star is the point of the trip, set expectations accordingly.
- Chenonceaux is a small village. Beyond the château and the hotel itself, you will want a car to reach the rest of the Loire.
- Rooms are split across five houses and vary in size and style; ask which house and floor when you book rather than assuming.
Practical information
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Auberge du Bon Laboureur still open?
Yes. It is an operating five-star hotel in Chenonceaux, a 1786 coaching inn that has been run by the same family for more than a century, with 29 rooms across five houses and a restaurant listed in the MICHELIN Guide.
Does the restaurant have a Michelin star?
The restaurant, led by chef-proprietor Antoine Jeudi, is listed in the MICHELIN Guide as recommended but does not currently hold a Michelin star. It is known for seasonal Loire cooking using produce from its kitchen garden.
How close is it to Château de Chenonceau?
The Château de Chenonceau is a few minutes' walk from the hotel, which makes an early visit before the tour groups arrive easy. The wider Loire châteaux, including Amboise and Tours, are a short drive.
How many rooms does it have?
29 rooms set across five village houses, so size and style vary from room to room. It is a five-star property with a heated pool, a small wellness area, and a bar.
How is it rated by guests?
It holds a 4.7/5 guest rating across roughly 1,700 published Google reviews, which we convert to an HFK score of 9.4/10 (verified guest rating times two). That places it #5 among the Loire Valley hotels we track.
What is Auberge du Bon Laboureur best for?
Anniversaries, honeymoons, and château touring. It is intimate rather than resort-scale, so it suits travellers who want a quiet, well-run base near Chenonceau and plan day trips for a longer stay.