Stay in the countryside at La Borde en Sologne

Departure from Brussels, direction this country hotel, La Borde in Sologne! Here are my impressions.

 

Express check-in and comfortable room

Arriving at around 10:00 pm, I was warmly greeted by the night receptionist who carried out a very quick check-in, which, given the time of day and my commute, was more than appreciated. Following this, I was taken to my room by golf cart with my luggage. The room was spacious, well-appointed and, with a little luck, I could sometimes hear the stag bellowing from the château!

The next morning, in this country hotel in the middle of the woods, I woke up to glorious sunshine. The glorious weather made me want to hop on one of the self-service bikes to explore the estate before breakfast. Good thing, too, that each bike comes with a child seat!

 

Visits and gastronomy

Let’s head for breakfast, which was simple but far from simplistic! The local produce delighted me, as did the delicious viennoiseries, not forgetting Alain Milliat’s signature spread and farm-fresh eggs. With my stomach full and my strength restored, I then visited the Château de Cheverny, a family-run hotel famous for having inspired Hergé and his iconic Tintin comic strip! The château was hosting an exhibition in honor of the comic strip, full of anecdotes that will surprise parents and amuse children.

On the way out of the Château de Cheverny, a labyrinth was proposed (and I have to admit I got a bit lost, it took me a good 10 minutes to get out), but after the effort came the comfort, as I stopped off in the village of Cheverny to discover a restaurant offering plates to share, full of fresh produce and local dishes. I then returned to the hotel to take advantage of the services on offer.

 

The last day

The next day, it was already time to pack up, but not without a final detour to enjoy a delicious breakfast, just like the day before! It was with regret that I took a final stroll around this magnificent, lush estate, which is not only relaxing, but also endearing. I also made a detour to the hotel’s kids-club, which turns out to be very nice and offers a range of activities. Unfortunately, it’s only open at weekends.

On the way back, like me, you’ll have the chance to explore the streets of Chambord, then stop off in Orléans to admire the magnificent boats along the Loire and discover or rediscover the centuries-old story of Joan of Arc.

Conclusion

These two days have left me with some incredible memories, and I’d recommend La Borde en Sologne precisely for relatively short family vacations, a kind of interlude during which it’s good to recharge your batteries. But be sure to plan ahead, as the hotel is somewhat isolated, so you’ll need to get there by car.