The lady that welcomed us (Benedict) was very nice and cheerful. We paid 58 euro per night for our stay, which included breakfast.

Nice to say we stayed in a chateau, but the reality was, that it was very basic. We stayed in a loft room in the chateau. We found the room had a very musty smell when we first arrived, but it was clean and functional. The pillow cases also had that musty smell, like when the washing has been left in the washing machine too long. That did put us off a bit. Maybe staying in the stables is a better option?

The breakfast was a non event. The bread was not fresh, and there was "long life" bread products and plastic packets of jam. The fruit was cut so thin, that it was shrivelled up and drying out by the time we got to breakfast.

We booked this accomodation due to a recommendation by someone we know, and besides the lovely grounds and quiet location, we were very disappointed and will not be returning or recommending this place to anyone we know. We went into Ambiose for dinner one night, and saw 2 hotels with similiar prices, which we thought would have suited us better (it's great how most hotels in France display their prices outside the front door of the hotel).

Also, we tried a restaurant that the owner had recommended, and it was the worst french food we had in our 4 week trip around France!! Stay away from "Au Gateau Breton" restaurant in Chenonceaux, unless you like service without a smile and very average tasting food, made for tourists!

I had the pleasure of staying at La Herserie earlier this month and was surprised to find its location right between my two of my main destinations: Chenonceau and Amboise. The 19th Century chateau is situated on 32 acres of lush woodland with a pond and a lake, owned by the most friendly and helpful Benedicte and Laurent Dujardin.

There were 35 rooms on the property - bigger rooms in the castle and smaller ones with lower ceiling in the converted stable - and I was the only guest during my stay. I got one of the best rooms in the castle, on the top floor although the only way to get up there was to climb steep stairs up three stories. There’s no elevator.

The room was simply decorated with no TV or phone. The one window in the room was large and overlooked the back of the chateau onto a garden and a vast forest. The only noise came from the birds, music to my ear.

Breakfast was served in the converted stable with a generous selection of choices. Each table had a jug each of orange juice and water and pastry du jour, and the buffet offered fresh fruits, cereals, biscuits, walnuts (a local specialty?), coffee and a good selection of tea bags.

This would be a great place for a family gathering. There are family rooms available and during the summer guests can use the peddle boats in the lake on the property. For the price and location and atmosphere, it was definitely a very good find.

My wife and I have visited le Herserie on two separate occasions, two years apart. The location and setting of the chateau is outstanding. The reception by M. et Mdme Dujardin both of whom speak excellent English, is wonderful. We are already making plans for another visit.

The bedrooms: some are within the main chateau, and the others are over the former stable block. All rooms are en-suite. Originally the stables had been converted in the 1950's when the chateau was an international school.

I would recommend a stay at Le Herserie and defy anyone to be unsatisfied.

Within easy distance are the chateaux of the Loire, Chaumont, Chennonceau, Amboise, Blois, plus many other interesting places.