Ibis Orleans Centre Gare

... of France after the revolution, but he insisted on being crowned under the King colors rather than the tricolor of the revolution. As a result Napoleon stepped up to the plate and took the prize from under his nose. In more recent history the chateau was used to hide and store much of the Lourve's art work during WWII.

Words can't describe all that we saw in the Loire Valley so we hope our photos help.

Goodbye Loire Valley, hello Dordogne here we come!

... for campsite directions. One gentleman tells us there are none around the area and another man gives us directions to one on the outskirts of town. That was a wild goose chase!
All we could do was travel south to the next town (Orleans) an hour away and hope for a hotel.
Feeling really ****** *** we set off and after 5 minutes came across a wonderful sight, a tent symbol on a sign pointing left. Yipeeee.
Half an hour ...

... 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 ...

... a) . Es graciosísimo porque parecen todos exactamente iguales y se ponen a ladrar todos a la vez cuando les da el arrebato. Eso sí, absteneos los de nariz delicada. La zona tiene un cante jondo que no se pué aguantar. Un manguerazo no vendría nada mal... :) Lo que más nos ha llamado la atención de ambos castillos es que no hay apenas gente. Es raro porque es fin de semana y encima en Semana Santa pero se ve que tenemos suerte. Tanto en las carreteras como en los palacios se puede ...

... to see a special traveling exhibit on the forgettable Jerome Napoleon (a baby brother), who turned out to be the made up king of a made up country. But fascinating nonetheless. After visiting the chateau we stopped at the other landmark of interest in Fontainebleau -- INSEAD, the renowned international business school, formerly attended by our dear friend, Kent. As Kent will tell you, we have an annoying habit of arriving ...

... a look around the grounds. We decided not to go inside, but settled on driving to the Chateau de Chiverny to have a look instead. Whilst it wasn't quite as impressive as Chambord from the outisde, it was just outstanding on the inside! The same family has owned it since the 16th century & even still lived there up to only 20 years ago! The other claim to fame for Chiverny, is that it was the building that ...

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.

... everywhere we looked. It was too bad Argentina beat France. The city was about to erupt. All in all, the Loire Valley is a wonderful place with much to offer. It is said to be the purest region in France with respect to way of life and particularly the language. It was neat to see so much multiculturalism flourish so well right in the heart of France. It is nice to see and added to the experience. We are now off to Paris to meet up with my sister Krista and her hubby Matt! Can't wait!

... lausa Raekoja ette. Seal tärkas meil mõte lüüa lahti rüperaal ja katsetada, kuidas on konnasööjate maal lood traadita internetiga. Ja oh imet, võrke oli lausa jalaga segada ja mõni neist täitsa turvamata. Üldiselt võib WiFi-hulludele rahumeeli kinnitada, et kui mitte tasuta, siis röövelliku viie euro eest tunnist saab Orange vahendusel ja pisut soodsamalt Wanadoo võrkudes traadita internetti kasutada vähemalt nendes Prantsusmaa linnades, kuhu me oma reisi vältel sattusime.