Vacation Rentals by Owner

Wonderful Stay in Amboise

Guest: San Diego Traveling Family (San Diego, Ca)
Date of Stay: 05/15/11 Review Submitted: 05/28/11

We had a wonderful time during our stay in Le Cardinal. The house was very conveniently located, fantastically charming, beautiful, and comfortable. We wouldn't want to stay anywhere else if we are lucky enough to return to the beautiful Loire Valley soon. Thank you so much Steven and Veronica - our stay was really everything we hoped it would be. Neil, Kelly, Hayden (9) and Violet (5)

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

Charming, convenient place in beautiful Amboise

Guest: Susan (San Francisco)
Date of Stay: 04/01/11 Review Submitted: 04/19/11

We just spent a lovely long weekend at this truly original home in the lovely town of Amboise. Steven and Veronica made it so easy for us to book even though our party -- two families living on two very distant continents -- were coming from very different places. The house is quirky, interesting (we all loved the hat collection) and great for our party of four adults and four children. We were able to walk to the town center (and some great restaurants) in less than 10 minutes, with small kids in tow. And definitely have the owners help you organize a cooking class -- or even just a meal -- with Chef Damien. It was the highlight of our trip! Thanks so much for a great Loire weekend.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car.

Le Cardinal in Amboise

Guest: Priscilla & Joseph (Prague, Czech Republic)
Date of Stay: 12/04/10 Review Submitted: 12/19/10

December, 2010 If you are looking for a home away from home, Steven and Veronica's "Le Cardinal" is the place to go. The house is truly as advertised and actually exceeded our expectations. The attention to detail in the house, from the decoration to all practical things guests might need, was extraordinary. The organization, information and follow-through from the moment we booked the house was something we have not seen before. Absolutely brilliant. The town of Amboise was a delight and is perfectly located for visiting all the chateaux in the Loire Valley. To top it off, the people of Amboise were incredibly friendly, and I have to say that it was one of the best vacations we have ever had. Thank you Veronica and Steven!

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

WONDERFUL HOME FOR VISITING THE LOIRE VALLEY CASTLES

Guest: Maria & Bob (Miami, Florida USA)
Date of Stay: 06/13/10 Review Submitted: 06/26/10

My family and I travel extensively, always renting private homes/apartments rather than staying at hotels. As a result, we have developed a keen eye for what makes a "Home Away" great; Le Cardinal qualifies as EXCELLENT. It is a home furnished in a traditional French style, filled with lovingly selected antiques and period-correct pieces, yet it feels like your home. Everything you need is provided for you, exceedingly so, and Steven and Veronica have thought of small details that many "Home Away" owners do not. They have made perfect use of space. Little things like having a place to hang your wet towels, your clothes, etc. There are hooks and clothes trees everywhere. This is not common even in many hotels and when you are traveling for 3 months as a family, as we are, these little things become much more important. The location in Amboise is perfect for visiting all of the castles while still being a small, charming village that is very calm and peaceful. We truly enjoyed our stay at Le Cardinal and hated to leave!

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

A truly memorable stay

Guest: grunhilde (Sydney)
Date of Stay: 05/01/10 Review Submitted: 06/03/10

Thanks so much to Steven and Veronica for the wonderful service they provided at Le Cardinal no detail unattended from first email to farewell, truly professional with that very personal touch. A memorable stay indeed. The easy walk to the town, Castle and Clos Luce the friendly locals the fantastic Sunday Market (not to be missed) local restaurants and wonderful food shopping made our stay a sensation. Arriving to fresh Lilacs, beautiful linens and a truly unique property set the tone for a great stay. I would thoroughly recommend this property and Steven and Veronica's excellent service and hope to have the pleasure of returning one day. This property certainly will not disappoint.

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Guest: Joan & Jerry Tavolott (Holbrook, NY)
Date of Stay: 10/22/09 Review Submitted: 10/22/09

We had the luck to be upgraded to a stay at Le Cardinal by Steven and Veronice for our 4 night stay in the Loire Valley. What a wonderful property...we felt like royalty! The accommodations were just perfect, and just about everything we could think of was included. The townhouse is gorgeous, beautifully furnished, and has everything you need for a relaxing stay from a well-equipped kitchen, a patio area, to a TV with English channels. My husband is a music composer and was so inspired staying there that he composed several new songs. I am a watercolor artist and just found the place charming. I did get to paint a view of it! The location is great too. We loved being able to walk into Amboise for supplies and dinner. We felt very welcomed there and just wish our stay could have been longer.

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Guest: Doug and Kathryn Eckert (Birmingham, AL)
Date of Stay: 09/17/09 Review Submitted: 09/17/09

Le Cardinal was an absolute joy. We spent 3 1/2 weeks there in June and July and had the best vacation we had ever had. The area is wonderful, and the central Loire Valley location is fantastic, but the chance to get to know the local markets and enjoy Amboise was equally outstanding. We will never forget our favorite strawberry vendor we saw each Friday and Sunday -- the best strawberries ever! Steven and Veronica were attentive and considerate hosts, and their townhouse was perfect for our trip for a family of four. We will return, soon!

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Guest: Deb Upton & Helen Loftus (Vancouver, BC, Canada)
Date of Stay: 09/04/09 Review Submitted: 09/04/09

What a wonderful surprise it was when Steven asked if we minded staying for our first week in their Historic Townhouse in Amboise due to renovation noise at the Farhouse Loft. We were thrilled at the opportunity to spend our first days just walking around the beautiful town of Amboise. The markets, the chateau, the shops and walks along the Loire particularly at sunset were magical and then home to our welcoming historic townhouse. Every detail has been thought of to make a visitor comfortable and welcomed. We ate every evening in the garden which is beautifully set up for you. The beds were comfortable; a must for me to give any place we stay in a 5 star rating and the freshest, ironed sheets ever!! Amboise and the Historic Townhouse and Steven and Veronica as your hosts is a must if you are travelling to the Loire Valley!!

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Guest: Stuart and Lisa Kampel (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
Date of Stay: 05/08/09 Review Submitted: 05/08/09

We stayed in Le Cardinal for 5 nights in August 2008 with our two young teenagers. Le Cardinal itself is truly as described in these postings and in the property description. The house is very well located and is within walking distance to the town center, restaurants, etc. Amboise is an excellent location to base yourself while you explore the lovely Loire valley. A highlight for us was attending the town's historical presentation at the Chateau Amboise on the Saturday night before we left for home. It was a great way to close our vacation in France. We have stayed at many rental properties and think that Le Cardinal is among the best. Hopefully we will be able to return someday soon. Steven and Veronica, thanks for your hospitality and apologies for the late addition to the site.

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Guest: David Miller1 (Venice Florida)
Date of Stay: 01/09/09 Review Submitted: 01/09/09

Steve and Veronica, Forgive my delay in writing about our stay at Le Cardinal. My best friend, his wife and I rented Le Cardinal the second week of October. This was their first time in France, and first house rental for vacation use. They have always been "hotel dwellers", so it was important to me that the property be outstanding. It was!!! Diane, my friend's wife, fell in love with your house. In her annual Christmas letter she told friends of the marvelous "find" in Amboise, and of the great time we all had. We enjoyed Amboise's Sunday market, and the wonderful location to the major chateaux of the Loire Valley. We could sight see in the morning and early afternoon, return for a quick rest, wine and cheese and then go to dinner. In the morning, we would walk to town, buy our morning fruit and pastry and return to "eat in" breakfast. One day we were in a town on its market day, and bought chicken, produce, ham and cheese, and returned to prepare an evening meal. Diane, as she was fixing the salad, said "never in my life did I think I would be fixing dinner in a French house". The meal and experience were exceptional. The house had every imaginable amenity, the decorations showed the extreme care you take with your property. It was as staying in our own home. Since I was traveling for over 3 weeks, and this was my mid point stop, the washer and dryer were put to good use. The experience and comfort could not be topped. Thanks so much. My friends have already tasked me with planning a return to France in 2010.

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Guest: Martin and Brenda (East Lyme, CT)
Date of Stay: 11/10/08 Review Submitted: 11/10/08

This was a fabulous travel experience! The location was close to everything and the house was amazing. The cottage was very cozy and warm, but at the same time the decorating was like stepping into a magazine spread. The personal touches such as the fresh flowers, extensive travel brochures, hat collection and most certainly, the fuseball table made our visit even more memorable. Coming home each night to Le Cardinal was just as enticing as visiting the Loire Valley's chateaux during the day!

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Guest: Wendy Winquest (Newhall, California)
Date of Stay: 09/11/08 Review Submitted: 09/11/08

Staying at Le Cardinal was the highlight of our European vacation. Although we were only there for 2 nights I felt we got the true feel of France there. We arrived with a welcome on the chalkboard and fresh flowers on the table. I just walked around the house in awe of all the collectables. Steve and Veronica thought of everything , down to the basket of brochures of places to visit to the cd of french music that I listened to while drinking my morning coffee. We loved hearing the church bells and were waiting to see Belle from Beauty and the Beast walk down the sweet village streets. We loved Clos Luce and Chennonceau. Amboise was truly magical and we will definitely return! We also had a blast playing with the hat collection!

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Guest: Martha Hutton (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
Date of Stay: 07/16/08 Review Submitted: 07/16/08

We adored Le Cardinal! The house is charming and beautifully equipped. We especially enjoyed the fabulous bed linens! The town of Amboise is lovely, and we made the most of it's central location in the Loire Valley, making a number of day trips to chateaux and a phenomenal one to visit the troglodytes (caves). We were thrilled that our visit coincided with Amboise's main market day - it was one of the nicest that we saw in France. We had also stayed at Stephen and Veronica's apartment in Paris, so really felt as though we were staying with friends. I would strongly recommend this home to anyone planning to explore this region of France.

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Guest: Sandra Kearney (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/12/08 Review Submitted: 06/12/08

I stayed at Le Cardinal for just over 2 months, so it really was my home away from home. I also had a lot of family visiting during that time - a full house a couple of times! Things couldn't have been more perfect. I've rented accommodations in France quite a few times, so I know that comfortable beds, large and modern bathrooms, spaciousness, and well appointed kitchens are not the norm. Le Cardinal has all those things,and more. The care that the owners, Steven & Veronica, have taken in decorating are immediately apparent, but I was still discovering interesting touches after I'd been there for weeks. I truly felt at home. Amboise is a great little town in a great area. Lots to see and do, especially if you have a car. I can't say enough nice things about Veronica and Steven, the owners. They are remarkable people and sincerely want their guests to be comfortable and enjoy their stay at Le Cardinal. They are happily willing to help in whatever way they can. We had them over for dinner and we went to their home too. They are a rarity. You absolutely cannot go wrong by making Le Cardinal your home away from home, no matter the length of your stay.

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Guest: J. Cheney and Shirley Mason (Orlando, FL)
Date of Stay: 10/07/07 Review Submitted: 10/07/07

Le Cardinal was a wonderful respite from the whirlwind life we live! I am regretful that we were only there for five nights. It is situated in a peaceful, residential location, but within a 3 to 5 minute walk to town... a perfect location.The photographs on the web site are accurate. The home (I chose the word “home”) is lovely, warm, and welcoming. We felt comfortable from the moment we arrived. As another guest mentioned, the bed was very conducive to a wonderful night’s sleep. The markets are very near Le Cardinal, and we loved eating breakfast and some dinners at our home away from home. There is a “super” market located only a five minute drive from Le Cardinal. There you are able to purchase anything you would like, including many delicious prepared foods. The kitchen/dining area is quite large and has some lovely antiques, as do other rooms in Le Cardinal, but nothing to make it feel too stiff or formal Le Cardinal has two full bathrooms, not easy to find in Europe unless one rents a very large property. While it is a large home, its three floors make it feel cozy and private – even with two people, as was our situation. The home obviously is capable of accommodating many more. There are many restaurants in town, and each one we tried, we enjoyed. Just remember to each lunch before 2 PM, when almost every restaurant is closed, expect Gigot (sp?), known for its chocolates (delicious!). However, the menu after 2 is very limitedWe enjoyed our tour of the Chateau at Amboise; but we especially loved visiting Clos Luce, Leonardo da Vinci’s last home. It is an experience you should not miss when visiting The Loire. We definitely feel that we did not see all we would have wished in the Loire Valley, but we chose instead to relax and slow travel. I know we will return. We chose Amboise because of Clos Luce and its ability to provide good train connections to other areas of France. We did not want to stay in a Chateau somewhere in the country, where we would have to drive miles to a town just to have dinner or access a train station.We rented a car while there and took leisurely trips to Chenonceaux, an absolute must! We visited Chambord, but the awe there is from the exterior impression…the roof turrets, gables, cupolas and chimneys, and also the double helix staircase on the interior. However, the interior and furnishings were a disappointment.Steve and Victoria, the owners, are an absolutely delightful couple!

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Guest: johnkirkbright (Dubai, UAE)
Date of Stay: 06/16/07 Review Submitted: 06/16/07

Four discerning adults from four different countries stayed at Le Cardinal from 19 - 26 May, 2007. We were all very much impressed by the house itself and its amenities and we loved the fact that we could easily walk into town to buy our baguettes and brioche. The restaurants were also of a very high standard. We went to Amboise to visit the chateaux in the town and the surrounding areas. We saw Amboise, Usse with La Belle au Bois Dormant, and visited Tours. All in all, a very enjoyable stay which we will recommend to others. John, Afaf, Jenny and Sheila our interpreter!

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Guest: jackie5 (maine)
Date of Stay: 10/16/06 Review Submitted: 10/16/06

one week of glorious living. the home was warm and receiving for four of us adults. This well renovated gite has been done with care and attention to what makes it appealing; a home in a medieval town called Amboise. We explored the region with the help of our wonderful hosts. Biking, wine tasting, local marchee, castle, Clos Luce are but a few things we enjoyed. we have plans to return, to be sure.

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Guest: David Goodwin (Vincennes, IN)
Date of Stay: 08/28/06 Review Submitted: 08/28/06

To have your "own home" to stay in while away from home is so much better than a hotel. This house is in walking distance of anything you would want to see or do in Amboise. It is also very well situated to drive to many of the surrounding castles. Everything about it was clean and comfortable. The renting process was very easy. We would recommend this to anyone wanting to stay in the area.

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Guest: Le Gallais family (Calgary, Ab Canada)
Date of Stay: 08/24/06 Review Submitted: 08/24/06

We recently stayed in Le Cardinal for 5 nights in August. There were 5 of us, my husband and myself, our two teenaged children and my husband’s cousin from the UK. The house suited us beautifully as we had the master bedroom, our son the double bedded adjoining room and our cousin the single bedroom, all on the second floor. Our daughter was delighted to have a break from her brother and stayed in the double room on the top floor.The beds and linens were luxurious, my husband and I had a better sleep than in our king size bed at home!The fixtures in the new bathrooms were both fabulous and the lovely bath products and fluffy white towels added to the 5 star feel. We enjoyed the choice of the regular or rainfall showerhead in the second floor bathroom. My daughter and I sampled the bath oils and each enjoyed the spacious soaker tub upstairs.We put the kitchen through its paces as we visited the local market twice and had superb big family dinners every night. It rose to the challenge and the long refractory table in the dining area handily seated all of us for many evenings of merriment!The location was also excellent as we like being able to walk to the shops-even wine tasting at the chateau was a five minute stroll! When we sampled wine further a field our teens were happy to stay and watch English videos upstairs and buy ice cream cones at the square next to the Chateau.After touring the chateaux it was really a treat to come back to Le Cardinal, filled with such thoughtfulness, personality and comfort. We would heartily recommend staying here to anyone.

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Guest: Frederick Kluck (Texas)
Date of Stay: 07/13/06 Review Submitted: 07/13/06

If you are looking for the perfect place to stay in the Loire Valley, Le Cardinal is it! It is close to the center of Amboise, - the chateau and the pedestrian shopping streets - and yet is in a quiet residential area. Stephen and Veronica Oliver have furnished it with love, and they continue to add charming touches to it. We loved having morning coffee or an evening glass of wine on the patio. We enjoyed our week there so much that we really hated to leave (I joked to Veronica that they might have to call the police to get us out). I can't imagine a more delightful home from which to explore one of the most beautiful regions in France.

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Guest: Mary Louise and David Hopson (Dallas, TX USA)
Date of Stay: 07/11/06 Review Submitted: 07/11/06

Our family of three spent six nights in June in Le Cardinal and we had a wonderful time. Steven and Veronica have recently completed thoughtful and thorough renovations of this darling townhouse with excellent results. I knew we were in the right spot when we arrived to find Steven putting the final touches on getting the house ready for us, and Veronica had sent gorgeous roses for the dining table as well as fresh herbs from their garden!The house is situated in a residential area that is quite close to the center of town, so walking in to shop and see the sights of Amboise is very convenient. The kitchen/dining and living areas, like the rest of the house, are spacious and well appointed. The private garden terrace, with table and chairs, is a great extra bonus to enjoy a glass of wine or a meal. It was fun to pick up food from the markets and come home to prepare meals. Designated parking spots are an added plus. Steven, who is extremely friendly and fun, was very helpful, suggesting a good grocery store nearby for a "big shop" as well as a charming local market and other restaurants and shops. He is a perfect ambassador for Amboise, which is a great location for seeing the Loire Valley chateaux and the local of the Amboise chateau and Clos Luce, home of Leonardo da Vinci. We'd go back in a minute!

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Guest: Sandra Beyer (El Paso, TX)
Date of Stay: 07/11/06 Review Submitted: 07/11/06

The townhouse was a wonderful place to come home to after a long day of sightseeing in the gorgeous Loire Valley. Nothing was lacking, and we so enjoyed the REAL country French furnishings. I must comment on the beds: They are sooooo comfortable, something that is not always true of hotels or rentals. The location is perfect, both for visiting Amboise and for exploring the entire region. Veronica and Steven are so welcoming and friendly. I just wish we could have spent more time with them. Even if you have never visited the area, you have 2 friends sur place! It was very hard to leave the townhouse and continue our travels. Right now I wish that I were sitting in the courtyard enjoying an Orangina.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/06/06 Review Submitted: 06/06/06

We had a lovely time staying at the townhouse! The property is most comfortable and located in close proximity to all the things we wanted to see and do--the chateaux, Close Luce, the markets, etc. The kitchen was well equiped and convenient for preparing a meal from the local produce. We enjoyed the great bathrooms(the soaking tub felt fabulous after a day of cold, rainy sightseeing) and the beds were comfortable. Dealing with Veronica and Steven would make a hovel fun, but Le Cardinal would be delightful regardless of the owners! I highly recommend this property for your trip to the Loire Valley. Dan, Cathy and Cindy from Louisiana

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