Pearl of the Loire Valley, Amboise still shimmers with royal city status after making its mark during the Renaissance. With a chateau watching over it, a beautiful river at its border, a mild climate and delicious regional wines, there is an abundance of popular attractions here. Some others, however, are less well known and this only adds to the charm of the troglodyte dwellings. Though typical of the region, they were gradually forgotten. A love for quirky places in the present day, however, has led to them being granted a new lease of life. This property is an excellent example of the trend. Across from Amboise in a village perched above the Loire, the dwelling emerges from the eroded face of the rocky mass that houses it. A south-facing garden and a few windows reveal little of what lies inside: a succession of rooms enveloped in white stone, bathed in a warm light and adorned with furniture and objects that seem to have found where they truly belong. There is a perfect balance of comfort and simplicity in an ode to mineral life. More than just a place to stay, this troglodyte house offers guests an entirely new experience.