HenryBoo Travel&Events

HenryBoo Travels to: Amboise

Race Tracks, Fairytale Château’s & Sunset Sips

Paris to Amboise (via Le Mans & Chenonceaux) – 225 Miles

Next stop – Amboise!

We kicked off Day 2 at 8AM with a bright and cheerful morning ahead. Well-rested after our early(ish) night at the Tulip Residences Joinville-Le-Pont, we hit the road for our two-hour journey to the legendary Le Mans Circuit – one of Chris’ very few requests for this road trip.
Dogs aren’t allowed inside the 24 Hours of Le Mans museum, but we did pop in for a quick wee stop and to have a peek in the gift shop! We parked up and took a little stroll around the the track at no extra cost. It was a bit too warm for Henryboo, so we only ventured into the grandstand where we managed to catch a glimpse of the iconic Dunlop Bridge but to be honest, we spent more time sitting in the car with the AC on while Chris turned the entrance into his personal car photoshoot set. In all fairness, he got some pretty iconic shots.

When Chris had a mooch around the gift shop, he managed to find a map of the public road sections of the track, which are open to everyday traffic when the race isn’t on. At first, we didn’t really know what we were looking at but after navigating our way behind the grandstands and reaching Tertre Rouge, things started to make more sense. The map became easier to follow, especially with some helpful signage along the roads. Shout out to the ‘Campervan Journey‘ Youtube channel who have posted some excellent and informative videos about visiting Le Mans Circuit and driving the public sections!

Chris took to the Mulsanne Straight (locally known as the Ligne Droite des Hunaudières) like he was Phil Hanson himself (yes, I had to Google that). We stopped every five minutes so he could photograph the car’s wheel dramatically touching the yellow and blue stripes at the edge of the track. I’m sure that’s impressive to some motorsports fans – so, yay Chris!
The entire self-guided tour only took about 20 minutes, and with barely any other cars around, we could almost pretend we were racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans ourselves – minus the speed, the sponsors, and the endurance, of course. If you are a motorsport fan, I’d highly recommend taking the opportunity to explore the public sections of the Le Mans Circuit. It’s a rare and surreal experience to follow in the tyre tracks of racing legends, all from the comfort of your own car.

Once we wrapped up our ‘race’, we set off for Chenonceaux in the Loire Valley to visit one of my most FAVOURITE dog-friendly activities in all of France!
We drove about an hour and a half to a free dirt car park along the River Cher, and from there, it was just a five minute walk along the scenic waterfront to a quaint, little stone building – the ticket office for La Bélandre, a river cruise company that sails past the stunning Château de Chenonceau. But we weren’t there for just a regular old river cruise. La Bélandre also offers electric boat rentals that don’t require a license. For €39, we rented our own electric boat for an hour and, best of all, Henry was allowed to come along for the ride! This dog is not exactly a fan of water, but he is a big fan of duck-watching, so he settled in nicely, keeping a close eye on every feathered friend we passed and even had a crack at captaining the boat when he wasn’t dozing off in the heat. Thankfully the boats are covered so we were nicely sheltered from the hot, midday sun!

During our hour on the water, we set off from Chisseaux in Touraine and cruised towards the breathtaking Château de Chenonceau, gliding peacefully under its famous arches and taking in views that looked straight out of a fairytale. Being able to experience this with my now husband and my dog made it all the more special. There was something truly peaceful about drifting along the river, surrounded by nature and history and sharing this simple and beautiful moment with my family. Once we made our way through the arches and to the far side of the château, we paused under the shade of some trees and enjoyed a couple of baguettes we had purchased back in Le Mans, with a stunning view of a castle that looked like it had been plucked straight from a Disney film.

I wanted to stay in this boat forever! The soft ripple of water against the hull, the warm sunlight filtering through the trees and the essence of calm while Henry snoozed away in my arms. We reluctantly floated back to the dock and thanked the people at La Bélandre profusely for such a special experience.
If you find yourself visiting the Loire Valley with your dog (or without), I urge you to make time to rent a boat with La Bélandre. You will thank me for it!

Don’t forget to bring some water for you and your dog!

We strolled back to our car and drove only 5 minutes West to the car parking for Château de Chenonceau (free again!).

Many chateau’s in the Loire Valley are dog friendly but not all allow dogs inside. Most allow dogs on leads around the gardens and grounds but Château de Chenonceau is one of a few that allow small dogs to be carried around the building. Oh were we prepared for this!
You can pre purchase tickets on line but there were ticket machines right outside the car park, next to the toilets so paying for admission was super easy! We paid €15.50 per adult and Henryboo goes free!
I will say, be prepared for a long, hot walk to the entrance of the château. It’s not exactly a quick stroll, especially on a sunny day but it is definitely worth it for the stunning views. You’ll pass through beautifully maintained gardens bursting with color, featuring around a hundred varieties of ‘cutting flowers’, alongside orderly rows of apple trees and fragrant rose bushes. Just remember your suncream!

Château de Chenonceau is nicknamed the “Château des Dames” or lady’s château due to the many influential women who were connected to the castle throughout history.

Once we reached the grand, arched doorway, we whipped out Henry’s extra-special backpack carrier and hoisted him onto Chris’s back, ready for his very own tour of this 16th-century castle. This dog just screams majestic royalty and everyone knew it. While walking around the building, Henry quickly amassed a little fan club, with dozens of tourists snapping photos – not of the château, but of the back of Chris’s head as Henry surveyed his kingdom from above.

We made our way around centuries of French history and elegance. Each room was adorned with intricate woodwork and grand paintings and tapestries dating back to the Renaissance period. The Grand Gallery took us to one of the balconies, looking out over the very same River Cher we had just been sailing on, with the sun reflecting off the water below.

Henry, ever the good sport, handled the tour like a true gentleman. Though the halls were grand and filled with delicate antiques, he stayed calm and curious, quietly sniffing the musty air and occasionally glancing over to me as if to say, “This place is fancy, but I’m still the boss.” The soft footsteps and hushed voices didn’t seem to bother him much. He was more interested in the endless fuss he was getting from strangers and the extra treats he demolished for being such a good boy! Carrying him in his backpack meant he got the royal treatment without risking any mishaps, making the whole experience enjoyable and special for everyone.

When we finished our self guided tour, we continued our adventure across the sprawling 180 acres of grounds and several different gardens. In the centre of the French garden is a grand water fountain with a perfect background of the castle. We wandered through the quiet alleyways, connecting each garden and explored the old stables and wine cellar.

We spent a good 4 hours in Chenonceaux, floating along the River Cher and exploring the grand Château and gardens but we could have easily dedicated a full day to reeling in the beauty!
Chenonceaux is less than a 3 hour drive away from Paris, so if you and your furry sidekick are looking for a memorable day trip or a peaceful overnight stop, it’s a perfect escape from the city. Whether you’re a history lover, a garden wanderer, or just in it for the scenery (and duck-watching), this little corner of the Loire Valley is well worth the detour.

As the day began to wind down, we drove about 25 minutes to check into our hotel, just up the road from Amboise. We stayed in Domaine Des Thômeaux, The Originals Relais which was super convenient with plenty of free parking and a spacious, comfortable room. When making our booking, I mentioned in the notes that we were stopping on our way to get married and we had the lovely surprise of a heart of rose petals on the bed when we walked in! This was the only hotel on our trip to mark the occasion with a special touch like that. The hotel has a fabulous spa on-site (available at an extra cost), featuring Turkish baths and an indoor pool. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to enjoy these amenities but they definitely looked tempting and would be perfect for a more leisurely stay.

We had a quick rest until stomachs started grumbling so we drove down the road into Amboise. It was getting fairly late by then, and the town had settled into a peaceful quiet, with most of the shops already closed for the evening. Still, I can never resist a waterside Tapas Bar with outdoor seating, and we found the perfect spot to unwind by the river, watching the last light of the day fade behind the rooftops.

We were treated to some great views driving past the Château Royal d’Amboise and over the Pont du Maréchal Leclerc bridge. Just after the bridge, we took a sharp turn and down a tight hill to reach parking along the river. For dinner, we discovered a fantastic spot called ‘Le Shaker‘, offering a relaxed atmosphere, tasty food, and a front-row seat to the peaceful River Loire and Amboise.
I’m not a regular wine drinker, but I think it’s practically illegal to visit the Loire Valley and not try a glass. So, when in wine country… I ordered a glass of Amboise Rose´ wine. Chris, in classic Chris fashion, opted for a crisp bottle of Coke. We shared a few different plates including a pulled beef burger which came in a croissant bun and fried potatoes and Chris was after the ‘marinated chicken sleeves’.

As we soaked up the golden sunset by the river, we finished the evening with a short stroll across the bridge, taking a quiet moment to appreciate exactly where we were – and how lucky we felt to be there. If we had more time, I would have hopped on the Le Petit Train and enjoyed a sightseeing tour around the town!

It was one of those days that left us feeling full in the best ways. Adventure, peace, and memories we know we’ll return to. Le Mans, Chenonceaux and Amboise gave us a perfect mix of history, scenery, and serenity and we couldn’t have asked for a better stop on our journey. With full hearts and one very pooped pup, we headed back to the hotel for some well-earned rest, ready to wake up and continue our European adventure – next stop: Dijon.

Getting around Le Mans with your dog:

‘Setram’ is Le Mans public transport network that comprises of tram and bus networks. According to their full rules and regulations:
“Animals are prohibited on the entire SETRAM network.
Guide dogs for the blind and hearing impaired are permitted if they are muzzled and kept on a leash.
Small pets may be permitted if they are transported in properly sealed baskets, bags, or cages. These animals must not, under any circumstances, soil the premises, inconvenience customers, constitute a nuisance to them, or occupy a seat. Otherwise, the owner, accompanied by their animal, may be asked to exit the vehicle.’
– It does not clarify what constitutes a small pet but see below…

Getting around Chenonceaux with your dog:

Chenonceaux does not have much public transport apart from the ‘Remi/TER ‘ Train so I wouldn’t recommend visiting without a car.
According to Trainline:
“You can take up to 2 pets or pet carriers with you on trains in France, however you must purchase a ticket before travelling. 
Small Pets, pets weighing up to 6kg – must travel in a carrier no larger than 45cm x 30cm x 25cm. The carrier should be placed either at your feet or on your knee.
Large Pets, pets weighing more than 6kg – must travel at your feet and must be wearing a muzzle throughout the journey.”
Generally a dogs ticket far is 50% of the 2nd class fare.
– It’s hard to believe my little 8kg chihuahua is classed as a large pet!

Getting around Amboise with your dog:

The city of Amboise operates four municipal bus lines operated by ‘Transports Moreau 36‘
I can’t find any other information about public transport around Amboise so I would not recommend visiting without a car! I would assume Amboise would follow similar rules to other cities around France and allow small dogs in a pet carrier. Amboise seems to be pretty dog friendly in general.
– If anyone finds out the rules around dogs on public transport in Amboise, please let me know!

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