Previously living in Paris, I first discovered Blois in 2009 whilst on a cycle ride along the Loire. The town stayed in my mind until the day I decided to move here. When I first saw the house, I felt as though I had finally found the place I’d always been longing for. Having trained as an interior designer, my greatest dream was to restore a house that had character. The size of the property led me to consider running a bed and breakfast. An initial experience at my house on the banks of the Marne showed me how much I enjoy welcoming travellers. Building on this success, I set about restoring this house in Blois to breathe new life into it, whilst sharing its history with my guests.
Built in the heart of Blois’s ancient medieval city walls, the Hôtel Savard dates back to the 13th century. One tower of this historic fortification still stands today, opposite the property. Over the centuries, the house has undergone three major phases of development: first a medieval half-timbered house, then a Renaissance residence, of which the mullioned windows and a roof structure inspired by the architecture of the nearby Château de Blois still remain. In the 17th century, the Savard family converted the building into a country house, opening up large windows onto the courtyard and adding two wings, which gave it its current U-shaped layout.
The mansion owes its current layout to the alterations carried out by the Savard family in 1650. It stayed within that family until 1806. We know that it was subsequently purchased in 1939 by a family from Blois, who lived there until the 1990s. Having subsequently remained largely untouched for nearly 25 years, it was mainly being used as a storage space when we discovered it in 2018. Its condition meant that the restoration work required was far more extensive than anticipated. For nearly five years, we carried out our restoration project in collaboration with the Architectes des Bâtiments de France, with the aim of restoring the property to its original character, preserving its notable features and removing the most damaging alterations made during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Situated in the heart of Blois’s historic centre, just a stone’s throw from the Royal Castle, this mansion is an ideal base from which to explore the chateaux of the Loire Valley. We are passionate about hospitality, and we personally welcome our guests and share the history of the house with them. Breakfast, served in one of the two dining rooms, features organic and locally sourced produce, as are the complimentary toiletries provided in the rooms. One of the property’s unique features is its cellars: a 17th-century storeroom leads to a cave that was converted in the 13th century, situated 14 metres underground, which I show our guests upon request.
In Blois, the must-visit restaurants include “Assa”, which was recently recognised by the Michelin Guide for its Franco-Japanese cuisine, and “Bro’s”, which combines a fine-dining restaurant with a tapas bar in a chic yet relaxed atmosphere. Across the Loire, the “Kiosque à pâtisseries” on the ground floor of the gourmet restaurant “Amour Blanc” – which is a shop, tea room and delicatessen – will round off your dining experience, revealing the delicate world of patisserie as envisaged by chef Christophe Hay. The “Blois Capital” showcases local craftspeople and cultural life. Just a few kilometres away, the Chaumont-sur-Loire International Garden Festival is an unmissable event. .
The mansion can be used for filming or photography. Spanning 330 m² and comprising 14 rooms, the property offers a wide variety of atmospheres, enhanced by its medieval, Renaissance and classical architecture, featuring fireplaces, panelling, an oak staircase and a 300 m² U-shaped courtyard. Teams can also stay on site in four guest rooms, which can accommodate up to eight people.
ref 675905
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