Loire Valley Lodges

Loire Valley Lodges

Arrival at Loire Valley Lodges starts under a century-old oak that shades the reception, before staff walk guests along forest paths to one of eighteen suites, each designed by a different contemporary artist. Monumental sculptures, including a four-metre bronze dog by Aurele, are scattered through the grounds rather than confined to a lobby, and the private forest sits close to Esvres, about four kilometres from the town centre and roughly two hours from Paris. Massages take place inside the lodge or on its own terrace rather than in a shared spa corridor, and the property also runs a sauna, a Nordic-style hot bath for cooler evenings, and a seasonal outdoor pool open from May to September. The kitchen draws on what grows on site: an aromatic courtyard of thyme, basil and coriander feeds the restaurant and bar, alongside beds of redcurrants, raspberries and blueberries. Rooms carry bathrobes, minibars, safes and soundproofing, and the top suite adds its own jacuzzi. There is no lift across the two low-rise floors, though the property lists wheelchair accessibility features, so travellers who struggle with stairs should ask about ground-floor placement. Small pets under five kilos are welcome for a fee. Staff work across English, French, German and Spanish, and airport transfers, concierge and luggage storage are all on hand. This suits couples after a slow, art-heavy retreat in woodland rather than a base for walking into town, since the centre of Esvres is a drive away. What separates it from other countryside hotels nearby is the density of gallery-grade art woven through a working private forest, encountered on the way to breakfast rather than staged in a single room. Eighteen artist-designed suites sit inside a private forest near Esvres, with monumental sculptures on the paths and massages delivered lodge-side rather than in a shared spa. It suits couples wanting slow, art-filled seclusion, not travellers who need to walk into town. No lift, small pets welcome for a fee.