Hôtel Ronsard

Hôtel Ronsard is in the perfect location to explore Tours. We walked around all of the old city, as well as along the river and to and from the train station. Nothing was more than a 10 minute walk. The staff at the hotel are very friendly and helpful. It was nice to have the option of breakfast at the hotel. A nice assortment of cheese, meats, fruit, cereal, yogurt, as well as a basket of croissants, pain au chocolate and pieces of baguette. The room was very comfortable, air conditioning worked well and was quiet.

In November of 2022, I began searching for a hotel in Tours which could offer a room with a walk-in shower, which is a safety feature we prefer over slippery bathtubs. The Hotel Ronsard had excellent reviews and a web site which showed a room with a walk-in shower, so I contacted the hotel by e-mail to ask if we might book that room. I had an immediate friendly reply from Mr. Bruno Guyomarch, who assured me that I could book the room for April 8 through 11. I had the same prompt reply from Mr. Bruno in late March when I sent an e-mail to reconfirm the reservation. Mr. Bruno checked us in when we arrived and explained how to use a code to enter the hotel after the reception closes at 7PM. He was very kind and personable, and I had several opportunities to practice my French with him when he greeted us as we went in and out of the hotel. The building is charming and retains many of its original architectural features, such as the gleaming wood staircase that takes you to the upper floors. The hotel is rated as a 2-star lodging, probably because there is no lift, but I would gladly rate it with three or four stars, based on the level of comfort and especially the gracious and genial staff, who always made us feel at home. Our three nights at the Hotel Ronsard were pleasant. Room 15, just one flight of stairs up from the reception, had a comfortable bed with reading lights on each side, a modern bathroom, a desk and chair, a flat-screen TV, and a window which opened out onto Rue Pimbert. The neighborhood was quiet at all hours, and we slept well. The breakfast offered probably the most extensive and high-quality buffet we have ever encountered in our travels through Europe, and it is served on beautiful Villeroy and Boch china. When we sat down at our table, a kind woman brought us a basket with two large croissants, two pains au chocolat, and two tartines, all of which were lovely and fresh. She took our order for coffee and then encouraged us to help ourselves to the buffet items, which were also fresh and plentiful: meats, cheeses, yogurts, fresh fruit and fruit juices, jams and jellies, and even two beautiful homemade cakes. At €9.50 per person, this breakfast is well-priced and certainly much better than anything you would find in a local café. We loved the coffee so much that we asked for a second pot each day, and it was quickly brought to our table by one of the attentive and always-smiling servers. “Let us know if you need anything else!” they would say. The hotel is just a short 10-minute walk from the train station, and Tours itself is an attractive, easily walkable town with many things to do. It was a handy “home base” for us as we did day trips to the châteaux of Blois and Amboise. Thank you, Mr. Bruno and all your cheerful staff, for your warm welcome and your generous hospitality. We hope to return someday! William McLoughlin in Columbus, Ohio, USA

This is an absolute hidden gem in Tours France. Do not get put off by the official 2 Star rating. (They do not have 24 hour staff on duty) Friendly staff, generous rooms, modern great breakfast. In historical section great base for visiting the Loire valley.