{"id":264,"date":"2006-06-23T14:02:38","date_gmt":"2006-06-23T14:02:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/frenchduck.com\/latest\/uncategorized\/hotel-des-trois-marchands-in-cour-cheverny"},"modified":"2019-03-24T09:28:37","modified_gmt":"2019-03-24T08:28:37","slug":"hotel-des-trois-marchands-in-cour-cheverny","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/frenchduck.com\/latest\/hotel-des-trois-marchands-in-cour-cheverny\/","title":{"rendered":"Hotel des Trois Marchands in Cour-Cheverny"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Relais
Relais Trois Chateaux<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Emergency assistance call from an old friend touring the Loire Valley who needed to find a nice hotel with a decent restaurant not far from Blois<\/strong> – No problem!
\nAs part of our wine-buying trips we frequently traversed the Loire Valley, both as a destination in its own right, and also as a conveniently placed last night stay before heading for the Channel ports and home.
\nOne of our “discoveries” was the Cheverny<\/strong> appellation – well, actually it is 2 appellations Cheverny and Cour-Cheverny AOC. We had never heard of it back in the 1980s – and many still have yet to stumble upon it. Using our trusty “Guide Hachette des Vins de France” we had booked a visit to a winery, only to fail to discover it!! Road names and signposting in France can be notoriously difficult, and in those days our French was not so good – and mobile phones an expensive and heavy luxury! After about an hour of seemingly going round in circles, we gave up and started to head north – only to find a sign to another Domaine off the road towards Blois. So by serendipity we arrived at the Domaine des Huards<\/a> to a fantastic tasting of wines served by Michel and Jocelyn Gendrier. I particularly liked the Cour-Cheverny AC Cuvee Francois I – 100% Romorantin <\/a>grape from old vines – very dry, very aromatic with hints of lime and honey!
\n\"Relais
\nOur discovery of Relais des Trois Chateaux<\/a> (then known as The Three Merchants or Trois Marchands<\/em>) was a recommendation from Michel Gendrier – and we have been back at least half-a-dozen times since. As a hotel it falls into the OK category – neither luxurious nor spartan – comfortable, affordable en-suite rooms in the French style (although heavy flock wallpaper is absent!). It is the restaurant that (as usual) is the main attraction – especially if you feel up to tacking the Menu Gastronomique! Always good food – with a wide range of choice – excellent local wines and friendly service. We have never had a bad meal there – even when turning up late and unannounced with a party of 8!!
\nBut wait – that is not all. For some culture you can visit the nearby Chateau de Cheverny<\/a><\/strong> – an impressive Renaissance chateau within walking distance of the hotel.
\nAnd a little further south you can try the excellent Sauvignon Blancs at Domaine Octavie<\/a><\/strong> at Oisly in the Touraine (they also produce good red, rose and sparkling wines)
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