Vacation Rentals by Owner

Three Glorious Days

Guest: Richard (Long Beach, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/16/11 Review Submitted: 01/03/12

We had only a brief time in Amboise but wanted to make the most of it. We stayed in the ground floor flat - me, my wife, and our two kids (9 and 4) and it still felt spacious. VRBO ads can - to be gracious - highlight only the positive features while the downsides are left for you to find out for yourself. With Chantal there is no downside. The rate is very reasonable. The pictures don't do justice to the exquisite scenery or the perfect locale. The description can't possibly match the perfect appointments of the apartment. Words on the screen can't communicate how truly lovely Chantal is! It was too cold to enjoy bicycling and other outdoor recreation at your doorstep. It didn't matter. We ate, we walked, we toured (did I mention we ate?). We can't wait to return to Chantal and La Porte Bleue for a longer stay in warmer months.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, sightseeing.

Best you can get in Amboise

Guest: PaulEmily (Oregon USA)
Date of Stay: 09/29/11 Review Submitted: 10/09/11

The location is ideal with an unobstructive view of the castle and the river, very clean and spacious accomodations, Chantal the owner is a WONDERFUL host in every way. She was there to greet us upon arrival and answered any questions we had about the area. We would highly recommend La Porte Bleue to anyone looking to stay in Amboise, 5 minute walk to the town square loaded with restaurants and wine bars. We will absolutely return!!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful Experience!

Guest: Sandy Gale (Santa Cruz, California)
Date of Stay: 09/10/11 Review Submitted: 10/12/11

Thank you, Chantal ! Our week at la porte bleue was an absolutely fantastic experience. We stayed in the top apartment, which has a breath-taking view of the Amboise Chateau and the Loire River. The apartment is clean, comfortable, roomy and in an excellent location. The kitchen is well supplied and even has a dishwasher! The bed is very cosy. Chantal even supplied bicycles! Again, Thank you So Much, Chantal for the use of your amazing flat!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

All you ever dreamt of...

Guest: Lindsay F.
Date of Stay: 08/27/11 Review Submitted: 09/01/11

Simply wonderful ! The view, the air, the light, the space, the welcome... Every morning I took a bicycle (2 are at your dispostion) to go from the island over the bridge, with the lovely breeze of the Loire river in my hair and the beautiful castle as a front view, to go and buy breakfast... I didn't even asked my children (3 teenagers) to go as I saw this as a privilege, a treat to myself. The apartment is very well located and we could visit during our 4 days stay Amboise, Blois, Chenonceaux, Tours, Rigny-Ussé and the Royal abbey Fontevraud. Chantal (the owner) is full of energy, very helpful and kind. she organised the apartment so well that everything is easygoing. La vue est imprenable de jour comme de nuit et je crois que Monet y aurait bien pu passer 5 ans à capter toutes les belles lumières sur le château... la petite ville est à quelques pas et le marché certainement à faire. Le gîte ne manque rien, tout est fonctionnelle et bien aménagé. BRAVO Chantal ! Voor diegenen die de Loirestreek willen verkennen en een deftig centraal gelegen gîte zoeken is dit dé plaats ! La porte bleue is kwaliteit/prijs optimaal en de energieke hulp van de eigenares is enorm waardeerbaar - zeer warm aanbevolen ! à très bientôt Chantal ! et surtout merci !

Owner response:Un grand merci pour ce très gentil commentaire. Au plaisir de vous revoir à la Porte Bleue. Chantal

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great Apartment with a Fantastic View!

Guest: Carol (Oakland, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/17/11 Review Submitted: 11/12/11

I stayed in the ground floor apartment at La Porte Bleue for 12 nights this June and it was fantastic! (I had asked for the upper floor listed here but it was booked so she proposed the ground floor – see the link after the Rates section.) The view is unbelievable. I could sit on the sofa or at the kitchen table and watch the evening skies over the chateau. Hot air balloons would drift by and I could listen to the sound of the Loire River rushing by. Chantal is not only a wealth of information about the area, but she’s also a ton of fun. I ended up seeing various sights in the surrounding area with her and becoming friends. (She served as a great impromptu French tutor too upon request!) When we arrived it was very hot and she immediately had a bowl of water out for my poor dog who was sweltering. The location was great with an easy walk over the bridge into town. Very clean and well equipped and all around an amazing value. I can’t say enough good things about the whole experience! Can’t wait to return.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

An Excellent place from which to see the beauty of the chateaus and the surrounding Loire Valley!

Guest: Anne & Michael (Santa Barbara, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/20/11 Review Submitted: 06/10/11

We spent 7 days in the upstairs apartment and found it to be the perfect location from which to explore the chateaus in the lovely Loire Valley. The apartment is about a 15 minute walk from the train station, so it was not at all difficult to not have a car the first 3 days we were there. And Amboise is about a 30 minute drive from all of the major chateaus and towns in the area. More importantly, Chantal is a lovely and very thoughtful host, and provided us with a very clean and charming place to stay (for my wife and I, it was more than enough room, and we even cooked a meal we put together from the items we purchased at the big open-air Saturday market one evening) and helpful information about places to eat and shop in the town. And then, of course, there is the beautiful view of the chateau and the sound of the Loire River just outside your window! My wife and I especially enjoyed our stay here, and would highly recommend it to our family and friends. Merci beaucoup, Chantal. Au Revoir.

Owner response:Un grand merci à vous, Michael et Anne. Au plaisir de vous revoir un jour à la Porte Bleue !

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A Tour de France by two New England couples

Guest: james f. (-)
Date of Stay: 05/07/11 Review Submitted: 01/28/12

8 months after an incredible 4 week tour of France (Paris, Normandy, Lourdes, Provence and Loire Valley) we are still talking about what a wonderful time we had. So it is time for a review of our wonderful accommodations. The Loire Valley was our last week and our hostess, Chantal, who lives just around the corner from the "Blue Door", was most charming and helpful. The 2BR apartment we rented from her was right on the Loire River and looked directly across from the Amboise Chateau--spectacular. We found this apartment to be absoutely perfect for us and you could walk across the bridge into the charming city of Amboise. Besides its proximity to restaurants and shopping in the city, it was a perfect location for visiting all of the famous Chateaus in the Loire Valley. We would definitely come back here.

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A very special way to experience the Loire Valley

Guest: Spencer (New York City, USA)
Date of Stay: 03/27/11 Review Submitted: 04/17/11

A visit to the Loire Valley is a wonderful experience under any circumstances, but La Porte Bleue offers a unique opportunity to stay on an island IN the Loire, with a view of the river and, on the bank beyond, the town of Amboise and its great cháteaux. The house is located not far from the bridge that crosses the river at one end of the sparsely-populated island, and it is a short walk into Amboise (with a supermarket near the bridge) or to the train station in the other direction. I stayed in the ground floor apartment, which I found charming and very comfortable. The kitchen was well-equipped, and I very much enjoyed the iPod-based entertainment system. It was a wonderful home to return to after a day of sightseeing, providing a feeling of being in a magical place removed from the real world. No less charming than the apartment, however, was the owner, Chantal, and I am very grateful to her for her many kindnesses and for making my stay in Amboise a rich, comfortable, and rewarding vacation. The view from my window is on my computer's desktop, and I look forward to seeing it again in reality some day.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Our beautiful stay in Amboise!

Guest: Kirsten (Melbourne, Australia)
Date of Stay: 03/07/11 Review Submitted: 03/14/11

Dear Chantal, thank you so much for such a wonderful stay at 'La Porte Bleue'. We stayed on the ground level which was just lovely - particularly cosy and spacious with a fantastic view across the river to the chateau. Chantal - thank you also so much for your warm welcome and kind hospitality. We also loved that you provided so many things for our 11 month old baby including a high chair and cot and use of the washing machine downstairs! We loved our stay with you and would definitely look to return next time we visit the area; Thanks so much Chantal! Regards, Kirsten & Randall (and baby Sebastian) Australia 7th-10th March, 2011

Owner response:Merci à tous les 3 et à bientôt peut-être...

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Beautiful apartment with a spectacular view!

Guest: Sean & Valérie (Bowling Green, Kentucky; USA)
Date of Stay: 01/16/11 Review Submitted: 02/23/11

My wife and I had a fantastic time at "My Beautiful Door." We stayed in the ground level apartment, and we were very impressed with the decor, the amenities, cleanliness, and general comfort of our surroundings. The apartment offers an incredible view of the Loire river and the castle. You are minutes from a beautiful park, stores, shops, restaurants, and other tourist attractions, and Chantal, the owner, was always available for assistance and advice. She is extremely friendly, helpful, and we appreciated her warm welcome. Overall, we had an exceptional time, and we would highly recommend this apartment to anyone.You won't regret your decision. It's a great value for the money spent and every bit as lovely and impressive as the photos suggest!!

Owner response:Que de compliments ! ! ! Même en anglais, j'ai tout compris... Un grand merci à vous et à bientôt à vous ou à vos parents. Bien sincèrement Chantal

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Beautiful Location!

Guest: Family with small children (Illinois)
Date of Stay: 11/03/10 Review Submitted: 01/10/11

Our first rental on a trip to France with a 1 year old and a 4 year old was La Porte Bleue, and we were delighted with every detail. Chantal was warm and welcoming, and so eager to share information about the area. The rental was clean and secure for our children, and we appreciated the use of a baby chair, crib and the downstairs washing machine. The walk into town was easy and beautiful, and a small grocery store over the bridge made it easy to make simple meals. My favorite moments were when the kids were tucked in and we could gaze out the window at the Chateau every night over a glass of wine. We would definitely recommend this rental!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

You have found an absolute GEM!

Guest: Jeanie M. (Victoria)
Date of Stay: 06/17/10 Review Submitted: 06/28/10

You wont believe this view or location. the size and light and furnishings are great. chantel is truly lovely. But the best oart is the view and the location. If you have found this and you can book it, you will be thrilled when you arrive

Owner response:Thank you Jeanie ! Chantal

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Unique & Lovely

Guest: Bob & Aine (North Oaks MN)
Date of Stay: 06/16/10 Review Submitted: 07/25/10

Of the nine locations we stayed during a 3 week driving trip of France, La Porte Bleue was particularly charming. Enthusiastic and eager Chantal could not do more to welcome our family of four and give us some helpful hints for touring the area. Chantal had games, maps & visitor info on hand to share. The location of the apartment is truly unforgettable.....the chateau just outside the window! The apartment was light, cheery and clean. Chantal takes great pride in her La Porte Bleue...thank you so much!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children.

Charming Flat with Great View

Guest: Hugh and Barbara (Waialua, Hawaii, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/19/10 Review Submitted: 07/09/11

Our stay in "My Beautiful Blue Door" could not have been nicer. The flat is extremely well-appointed and beautifully decorated with intricate and interesting trompe l'oeil painted by the owner. The owner lives nearby and is very accommodating, even arranging to have ice cubes prior to our arrival. She extremely friendly and is a wealth of information and suggestions. Don't miss asking her about a special hike by the river! We plan to return. (This review is written late due to my not previously knowing the link for writing it.)

Owner response:Hello Hugh, Thank you et à l'année prochaine avec les glaçons pour le Martini !

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

In one word "UNFORGETABLE"

Guest: Sunshine (Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 05/03/10 Review Submitted: 07/14/10

This absolutely beautiful loft in a very spectacular part of France was definitely worth the visit and stay. The loft itself is all that you could need whether your a family of six or on your own. Very tastefully decorated and comfortable. The view of the castle accross the river is so beautiful that I keep looking back at the pictures we took to make sure it was real. I wanted a special place to spend this years birthday and truly could not have asked for better. Chantal the owner is not only extremely social but just an all around "joie de vivre" type of person to talk with. Thank you again Chantal for everything and we do hope to return someday! PS. Having the wifi connection was an added bonus.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

our wonderful stay at La Porte Bleue

Guest: Steve & Lorrie (Corona, Ca USA)
Date of Stay: 04/10/10 Review Submitted: 04/14/10

We had a wonderful stay at La Porte Bleue. Chantal the owner was so sweet and charming. The apt was amazing. So pretty and clean, and with all the amenities we could possibly need. Chantal was so helpful and had all the information in the apartment needed for the sights and shops and food that was nearby. I wished I could have stayed longer. The apartment felt so home like. I would absolutely recommend this apartment. You will be just so surprised at how wonderful it is. Our thanks to Chantal for making our stay in Amboise everything it was. A wonderful time and oh gosh....lets not forget the view of the castle across the river...right out the window.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/11/10 Review Submitted: 03/11/10

We booked La Porte Bleue rather last minute and stayed there over Christmas. We stayed only three nights and wished it was longer. We stayed in the upstairs apartment...plenty of room for the two of us and a baby; it could easily house 4-6 people. We loved the view, appreciated the thoughtful amenities, and enjoyed the WiFi and iPod dock too. The house is just a short walk from town which we really enjoyed. We walked to town and bought pastries, etc. each day and felt like true Frenchmen with our bagettes! Chantal was a wonderful host. We arrived late at night and she was extremely accommodating and welcoming. She helped us order dinner from the pizza place around the corner and even helped us unload. The apartment has numerous books and brochures about area attractions. It was a great stay and we would love to return. We have and will continue to recommend the rental to friends. A rare find!

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Guest: Daniella Mendez (Minneapolis, MN)
Date of Stay: 11/19/09 Review Submitted: 11/19/09

My husband and I visited four cities in France, and Amboise was my favorite because of how lovely our experience was at La Porte Bleue. Chantal was a wonderful host, she even picked us up from the train station! The apartment was the best and the least expensive of all the places we stayed at. We couldn't get over the peace and quiet, such a change of pace from Paris! The view of the Chateau de Amboise from our dining room window was breathtaking. The apartment had more than we needed, we felt at home immediately. We were very disappointed our stay was only two days. If we hadn't booked our train tickets already , we would have extended our stay. We stayed in the upper level of La Porte Bleu, and the photos do not do this place justice. We cannot wait until we can come back, and we want to bring our entire family! We wouldn't think of staying anywhere but La Porte Bleu.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/27/09 Review Submitted: 10/27/09

A wonderful apartment with a superb location in the Loire Valley and gorgeous views of the Chateau from your window. We spent three nights with two children and could have stayed for six weeks. Chantal is a lovely hostess and treated us like family. Well-appointed, comfortable, clean and modern, including wifi, an iPod stereo, and a full kitchen stocked with everything you need for a full meal. Easy access to wine, chateaux and beautiful country, as well as walking access to restaurants, shops and the Chateau d'Amboise. Highly recommended.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/26/09 Review Submitted: 10/26/09

Merci beaucoup Chantal pour cet endroit magnifique, au décor si impressionnant. Votre gîte est très calme et reposant. Avoir su, nous aurions ma fille et moi passé beaucoup plus de temps chez vous. Mais ce n'est que partie remise, je reviendrai avec mon conjoint. Alors bonne chance dans vos travaux de rénovation. Encore une fois un gros merci pour nous avoir fait découvrir un coin de la France si merveilleux. Nicole et Mireille octobre 2009.

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Guest: Sandra P. (Tecumseh, MI)
Date of Stay: 09/08/09 Review Submitted: 09/08/09

We have stayed in La Porte Bleue three times now and feel it is a home away from home. Chantal is a wonderful host and the apartment is lovely, just what we need to relax and enjoy the best of the Loire valley. It is comfortable and easy to live in. And Amboise is the ideal place to explore the Loire valley, but also France. Only 2 hours from Paris or the west coast. So...we fell in love with Amboise, but also with Chantal and her lovely apartments. We can't wait to go back.

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