A luxury hotel from the 13th Century on the Loire Valley? Yes, please!

If you ever dreamed to stay in a medieval luxury hotel, now you have the perfect chance: Château Louise de La Vallière is an opulent, 20-room Relais & Châteaux hotel where the staff's outfits are from that period. Plus, you can eat the same dishes that were used by King Louis XIV.

Mira Grebenstein, the general manager of the Château Louise de La Vallière stated that the opening of this hotel on the Loire Valley was done with the purpose to bring the vibrancy and flavor of the past centuries while protecting nature. The hotel opened in October 2022 after many years of restoration work, as an opulent Chateau with 20 rooms. Each room offers a visitor a glance at life during the 17th century. The hotel was inspired by the famous guests it had back in the day when it was the vacation residence of King Louis XIV's favorite lover, Louise de la Vallière. The general manager and Jacques Garcia, an interior designer, have resurrected the château to its retired glory by excellently decorating it with period tapestries, pieces, and paintings.

There is a 17th-century-style dress code for the hotel's staff to help sell the plot. Moreover, the theatrical aesthetic persists at the hotel's unique restaurant - L'Amphitryon - named after a comedy written by Molière. You will be treated here to traditional grand siècle plates cooked by chef Maxime Lesobre, who worked with a culinary historian to guarantee the authenticity of the meals and recipe techniques. The luxurious décor conjures dining rooms that are decadent in weighty textiles and surfaces, with big candles adorning the plateaux.

However, don't expect this to be everything old-school opulence and glamor. As the hotel also has a contemporary spa named La Rosee, placed in a stand-alone facility with five therapy rooms, a jacuzzi, a sensorial shower, a salt room, and a generous swimming pool. The big estate is on 47 acres with medieval cedars, centuries-old fig trees, and beautiful rose gardens. Here, birds, deer, and hares wander freely and you can feel like in a fairy tale.

If you plan a visit to Château Louise, you will not only enjoy the opulence and luxury, but you will also encourage sustainable tourism, as people here have the highest degree of respect for the planet Earth. After acquiring the hotel, the managers said that they prohibited hunting on the grounds, preferring to take care of all the animals there, on the estate. How to get there? First, make sure you book your royal stay at Château Louise de La Vallière. But know that prices start at €440.