Auberge du centre
The Auberge du Centre, a three star hotel with 27 bedrooms, is located in the centre of Chitenay, a small, quiet village, typical of many in this Garden of France. The hotel, though not particularly large, occupies a prominent position on the high street and is swathed in Virginia creeper. Across the road is the white tufa stone church with its little avenue of pollarded trees shading the place de l’eglise. A small shop offers basic groceries, and the wherewithal for a picnic.
There is a pleasant comfortable bar to the front of the hotel and the restaurant runs through to the rear. There is private parking at the back of the hotel with storage and racks for Belle France bikes. The garden, home to red squirrels, has a couple of swings and enough hidey-holes amongst the colourful shrubs to keep children entertained in safety.
From all points on this crossroads, cycle routes are signposted to Cheverny (6 miles), Chaumont (11 miles) and Chambord (15 miles) which are three of the larger chateaux within relatively easy range, and other lesser known gems are even closer.
Cuisine
Monsieur Martinet is clearly proud of his hotel whose restaurant has an established reputation in the Blois catchment area. The food is carefully prepared and presented fairly elaborately in some cases. The menu offers a reasonable choice and children are catered for with simplified ‘grown up’ dishes (no nuggets in evidence). Local Loire wines are much in evidence on the wine list with some good value carafes on offer, especially those from Cheverny.
Example Menu
Les Entrées
Le croustillant de canard confit à la confiture d'oignons et son mesclun aux noix
L'assiette de saumon fumé à l'Auberge, salade de betterave rouge aux herbes
Les Plats
Le médaillon de volaille de la ferme de la Faubonniére farcie aux pleurotes, sauce forestière écrasé de pommes de terre aux appétits
Le filet de Lieu "sous Anna", boulgour crémeux à l'estragon et tomate confite, beurre citronné
Les Fromages
La sélection de fromages de chèvre et son mesclun
Les Desserts
L'opéra chocolat, crème de marron et glace aux grains de café
La tarte fine aux pommes, Sauce caramel, glace pain d'épices
Facilities
- En suite bathroom
- Satellite television
- Free WiFi
- Terrace
- Garden
- Pleasant, easy cycle routes on the doorstep
- Pretty, tranquil village location
- Attractive garden terrace for al fresco dining
- Friendly staff, great for families
Location
Associated Holidays
Château to Château en Vélo
Pretty villages and enchanting châteaux
This easy cycling holiday takes you past princely mansions standing next to picturesque farm houses, and fields of sunflowers merging with uniform rows of vineyards. There is ample opportunity for tasting some of the local wines.
Château to Château à Pied
Famous names and hidden gems
This easy walk through the Garden of France follows the limestone banks of the Loire. Turn inland through vineyards and flower-decked villages to take in some of the region’s most enchanting châteaux and their gardens.
Loire Discovery
Discover rivers, forests, vineyards and châteaux
With easy cycling along country lanes, this holiday enables you to create your own itinerary. Explore all the faces of the region from Montrichard, on the banks of the River Cher, to the peaceful village of Chitenay. Here are our...
Loire Family Discovery
Gentle cycling and activities to suit all the family
The Loire is the perfect region for a family activity holiday: quiet country lanes and shady woodland routes make for gentle cycling for all ages and abilities. We've allowed plenty of time to visit the suggested family attractions and still make it...