Your stay — Les Grouets
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The Property — Les Grouets
Les Grouets is a no-frills 3-star just south of the Loire, offering clean rooms and a decent pool that's rare at this price point in Blois. The lobby feels like a practical, family-run roadside hotel — functional rather than charming, with a small breakfast area and a tired but tidy décor. It suits drivers wanting a cheap, reliable base for Loire château day trips, not a romantic stay. You trade character for location and a car park that doesn't cost extra.
Chronicles of Blois
Blois grew up around a 9th-century castle that became a favourite of French kings, most famously François I, who added the flamboyant Renaissance wing in the 16th century. The city prospered as a river port and administrative hub, but its medieval core was heavily rebuilt after WWII bombing. Today Blois balances its royal past — the château and the Maison de la Magia draw crowds — with a modest, unhurried provincial life. Its real draw is as the gateway to the Loire Valley's châteaux: Chaumont, Cheverny and Chambord are all under 30 minutes by car.
Best Time to Visit
Full Blois guide →Best months
May, June, September: mild temperatures (18-25°C), long daylight for sightseeing, and summer crowds haven't peaked yet. September keeps good weather but schools are back, thinning out queues.
Peak / festival surge
July-August: weather is hot (up to 30°C) but Château de Chambord and the Son et Lumière shows at Blois château pack the town. Hotel prices in the area jump 30-50% above March or October. The Fêtes de la Loire (late July) bring extra visitors for the river spectacle.
Budget shoulder season
April and October: daytime highs of 14-18°C, still pleasant for walking, and accommodation costs drop 20-30% from peak. You'll share the châteaux with school groups but skip the July gridlock.
Weather & packing
Summer in Blois can be warm (25-30°C) but sudden Atlantic downpours are common — pack a light rain jacket even in July. Strict rule: bring a sturdy pair of walking shoes; the cobbled old town and château stairs will punish sandals.
Live City Briefing — Blois
- The Blois-Vienne bridge reconstruction on D956 continues through 2026, with periodic lane closures and delays; use the Pont Jacques-Gabriel via the D952 as an alternative.
- New 'Cité de la Gastronomie' pop-up food market in the former Hôtel de Ville square runs July-August, featuring local wine and fouace, but expect queues on weekends.
- The Loire river levels are forecast low for July 2026; boat tours from Blois are still running but may use smaller vessels — book ahead or risk cancellation.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Les Grouets, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
For a quieter stay, request a room on the upper floors (3rd floor or above) of Les Grouets, as the hotel's lift can be a bit old and creaky, and you may hear it operating from lower floors. Additionally, being higher up will also give you a better view of the city, although the hotel's address in Blois means you won't have a scenic view of the Loire River.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, as they may receive noise from the service entrance and the nearby streets of Blois. The hotel's address is on a relatively quiet street, but you may still hear some occasional noise from pedestrians and cars.
Best views
Upper floors (3rd floor or above) for a view of the city of Blois
Quietest floors
2nd floor to 4th floor
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel's old lift and proximity to the service entrance and streets can cause some noise, but overall, Les Grouets is a relatively quiet hotel.
Insider tips
Request a room with a balcony if you can, as this will give you a bit more space and a pleasant view. If you're driving, be aware that parking in the surrounding streets can be limited, so it's best to park at the nearby public parking lot and walk to the hotel.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Les Grouets
free, 1 Gb per device, no login constraints
serves all floors, but some stairs-only access to upper floors in historic sections
complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) on lobby computers, no physical papers
14:00-19:00; 09:00 early bag-drop; €20 late check-out until 13:00
available during hotel hours, €5 per day
step-free access, wheelchair entries, some rooms adapted for disabled guests
on-site parking €20 per night, nearest public car park €18 per day, no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.65 per adult, €0.82 per child (free for under 18) per night
Deposit & card hold: €200 advance deposit + €100 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Chapelle Notre-Dame dite Notre-Dame des Grouëts (527 m · ~7 min walk)
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Travellers can exchange currency at the Blois Tourist Office, the Banque Populaire, or the Caisses d'Épargne. Be aware that exchanging money at the airport or tourist bureau may have poor rates.
Major credit and debit cards, as well as contactless and mobile payments, are widely accepted in Blois, especially in the city centre. However, some local businesses may not accept foreign cards, so it's a good idea to have some cash on hand.
Tipping in France is generally around 5-10% in restaurants, bars, and cafes. For taxi drivers, rounding up the fare or giving 1-2 euros is sufficient. Hotel staff may not expect a tip, but a small gesture of appreciation is always welcome.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical cheap coffee can be found at a café for around 1-2 euros, often with a pastry for a few euros more.
A budget-friendly lunch option is a baguette or sandwich from a boulangerie or épicerie for around 5-7 euros.
A affordable dinner option is a meal at a Brasserie or bistrot, with a main course around 15-20 euros.
The streets around the town centre, particularly near the Loire River, offer a variety of street food options, including crepes and waffles.
The main supermarket chains in Blois are Carrefour, Intermarché, and Lidl, with the closest one to the city centre being Carrefour.
The Marché aux Puces (flea market) and the local markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays offer affordable high-street and market shopping options.
A day pass for public transportation in Blois costs around 4.50 euros, and the cheapest way to get from the airport is by bus (around 6 euros one way).
Good to know — Blois
Type C/E · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.87 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
BloisWhere to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Blois, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Les Grouets
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Gare de Blois (train station) → Le Saint-Jacques (stop: Saint-Jacques)
💡 Buy a carnet of 10 tickets at the station tabac for €13.50; the bus stop is just outside the station, across the car park. Alight at Saint-Jacques, then 3-min walk.
Blois city centre (République stop) → Le Saint-Jacques hotel area
💡 Avoid this after dark — walk from hotel to town is 20 mins via Rue Denis Papin, but bus 3 is more reliable. Check 'Agglopolys' app for real-time arrivals.
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) → Le Saint-Jacques, Blois
💡 Book ahead with Blois Taxi or local firms; fixed rates avoid surcharges. Ask for a direct route via A10, not local roads.
Paris Austerlitz station → Gare de Blois
💡 Book 2–3 weeks ahead for lowest fares; first class from CDG costs more but note the airport-CDI station isn't linked well — take a taxi from CDG to Austerlitz direct for €50.
About Blois
Wikipedia ↗
Blois ( BLWAH; French: [blwa] ) is a commune and the capital city of Loir-et-Cher department, in Centre-Val de Loire, France, on the banks of the lower Loire river between Orléans and Tours. With 47,219 inhabitants in 2023, Blois is the most populated city of the department, and the 4th of the regio...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Les Grouets?
For a quieter stay, request a room on the upper floors (3rd floor or above) of Les Grouets, as the hotel's lift can be a bit old and creaky, and you may hear it operating from lower floors. Additionally, being higher up will also give you a better view of the city, although the hotel's address in Blois means you won't have a scenic view of the Loire River.
Which rooms should I avoid at Les Grouets?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, as they may receive noise from the service entrance and the nearby streets of Blois. The hotel's address is on a relatively quiet street, but you may still hear some occasional noise from pedestrians and cars.
Is Les Grouets noisy?
The hotel's old lift and proximity to the service entrance and streets can cause some noise, but overall, Les Grouets is a relatively quiet hotel.
Which rooms have the best views at Les Grouets?
Upper floors (3rd floor or above) for a view of the city of Blois
What are insider tips for staying at Les Grouets?
Request a room with a balcony if you can, as this will give you a bit more space and a pleasant view. If you're driving, be aware that parking in the surrounding streets can be limited, so it's best to park at the nearby public parking lot and walk to the hotel.
What time is check-in at Les Grouets?
Check-in at Les Grouets is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Les Grouets have Wi-Fi?
free, 1 Gb per device, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Les Grouets?
€1.65 per adult, €0.82 per child (free for under 18) per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Les Grouets?
A budget-friendly lunch option is a baguette or sandwich from a boulangerie or épicerie for around 5-7 euros.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Les Grouets?
A day pass for public transportation in Blois costs around 4.50 euros, and the cheapest way to get from the airport is by bus (around 6 euros one way).
When is the best time to visit Blois?
May, June, September: mild temperatures (18-25°C), long daylight for sightseeing, and summer crowds haven't peaked yet. September keeps good weather but schools are back, thinning out queues.
Top Attractions in Blois
💡 Climb it at 11am when the château bells ring through the steps – the acoustics are excellent. Each statue has a small plaque in French; the one of Denis Papin shows his steam digester, a precursor to the pressure cooker.
💡 The top terrace has the best photo spot for the cathedral silhouette; go at sunset when the stone glows golden. Benches are limited so bring a scarf to sit on grass.
💡 Walk to the middle and look upstream at dawn – the mist over the river and the château reflection are spectacular. On the south bank, a free public beach (Plage de la Loire) opens in summer.
💡 Check the dragon clock heads in the facade at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 3pm, 4pm and 5pm – they move and growl. That's free to watch even if you skip the museum.
💡 Arrive just before 11am to hear the château's hourly carillon play a short tune; best free sound experience in town.