Comfort Inn Bonchamp-Les-Laval

... we were quite at home in a campsite full of lovely chatty people.
Isn't it amazing how some things turn out?
We had such a great evening. We met Christelle, from Paris who spoke English very well and her two gorgeous children. Christelle's Mum was a delight and plied us with gifts - a bottle of wine, cheeses and homemade rhubarb marmalade. Thank you so much for making us feel welcome we so enjoyed your company.

... br>


 

 This place is monstrously huge!  I think it's about the biggest chateau in France. 
 At one point Napoleon gave this to one of his buddies... must have been nice eh?

... sunburnt, particularly on the lips, a real schoolboy-type error! After a stretch and revitalising shower I walk the short distance into the city centre and decide instantly that I really like Orleans. As I enter the old part of the city I spot the statue to St Jeanne D'Arc (or Joan of Arc for the Francophobes!) I bow my head momentarily in shame that my forebears put the poor young thing on a spit roast. Definitely no way to treat a girl, even a French ...

... metiese algo en el estómago al mediodía... pero el desayuno merecía la pena. El primero, el de Chambord levantado por Francisco I, tiene una llegada preciosa. Según te acercas con el coche por una carretera pequeña que tiene una ligera subida, empiezas a ver el castillo al fondo. Primero las torres, luego parte del cuerpo del edificio y, de repente, te encuentras con el castillo en todo su esplendor a unos 2 kms. Lo más diferenciador de este castillo es que tiene una escalera de ...

... smoked ham, and pain chocolat, which became our deliciously simple supper (I told you I could live on cheese right???!) I usually hate to make promises about the future, but we intend to tour Orleans, and possibly a chateau of the Loire Valley (Chambord?) before proceeding on to Brittany and Normandy for the rest of our stay in France. but as always, plans subject to change. The excitement of the unknown is thrilling!

... the massive crowds that were lined up to go in when we went back the next morning to look around the rest of the island. We were luck enough to be able to walk all the way around Mont-St-Michel as the tide wasn't in yet ... although the signs saying watch out for quicksand were a bit of a worry! From there, we drove 5 hours to see the Chateau de Chambord. We had a couple of massive storms during the day ...

... limitele vederii), trecem peste podetul peste canalul de apa care inconjoara castelul (ma gandesc la filmele copilariei in care ridica aia podetul cu lanturi cand vine inamicul, asa era si la Chenonceau), ne luam biletele si audio-ghidul si intram in curtea interioara. Chambord este incomparabil mai mare dacat Cehnonceau, e foarte clar care e diferenta de statut. Asta a fost castelul regelui. Desi doar ...

After an exciting drive from and through Paris, guided by our trusty Tom-Tom that wasn't so trusty at the start since it was accidentally set to walking paths, we nervously arrived in the Valley of the Chateaux. We picked these to visit over 2 days: Chambord, Blois and Chanencaux.

Järgmiseks läbisõidu kohaks oli 112 600 elanikuga Jeanne d'Arci poolt vabaks võideldud linn. Orleans oli arhitektuurilt ja üldmulje poolest modernseim seninähtud linnadest. Vähem esines vanu saksa stiilis maju - pigem meenutas see skandinaavia stiili. Linna keskust läbib loogeldes Loire'i jõgi. Kuna oli pühapäev, siis oli enamik poode suletud ning jalutasime vaid läbi peatänava, tegime mõned pildid Jeanne d'Arci kuju juures ning suundusime tagasi auto juurde, mis oli ...

... the town of Fontainebleau and on to the palace. It is still raining, so we have given up on the idea of a picnic. We park in the street by the palace and decide to have lunch in a nearby cantina. We are late and there is only one plat du jour left, which I, as the senior member of the group, commandeer. It's duck! The rest enjoy plates of fast food, such as hot dogs and French fries. I sympathize. At least we can wash it all down with some good local wine.