Cottage 102

Cottage 102 Overview

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to Cottage 102, I wasn’t expecting much from a 2-star place tucked away on Route des Mortins. But you know what? Sometimes the best discoveries happen when your expectations are low. This little gem sits in the TERRE DE FRANCE complex, and while it’s technically listed under Saumur, you’re actually in St Hilaire St Florent – which, if you know anything about this area, means you’re right in the heart of Loire Valley wine country without the crazy tourist prices of central Saumur.

The cottage itself has this unpretentious charm that actually works really well. I mean, it’s not trying to be something it’s not, and there’s something refreshing about that. The rooms are clean and comfortable (though the shower pressure could be better – but honestly, that’s pretty standard for older French properties). What really sold me was stepping outside in the morning with my coffee and realizing I could walk to several champagne houses without dealing with parking headaches in town. The Bouvet-Ladubay cellars are practically around the corner, and if you’re into that whole underground cave tour thing, you’re golden. Plus – and this is something I didn’t expect – it’s actually quiet here at night. No street noise, no drunk tourists stumbling around at 2 AM like you get closer to the château area.

Here’s the thing that bumps this place up for me: the location is sort of perfect if you want to explore but not be in the thick of everything. You can bike into Saumur proper along the Loire (there’s a decent path, though it gets muddy after rain), or just stay local and hit up the wine spots. The staff actually knows the area too – they pointed me toward this tiny family vineyard that I never would have found otherwise. Parking is easy, check-in was straightforward, and honestly, for the price point, you’re getting solid value. It’s not fancy, but it’s genuine, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need when you’re exploring somewhere as beautiful as the Loire Valley. Just don’t expect room service or a concierge – this is more about having a comfortable base while you get out and actually experience the region.