Le Rivage Olivet

Our final chateau - Chambord. Everything about Chambord is done on a grand scale and on apporaching the chateau one is awe struck by the size, not only of the chateau but the grounds which cover 35sq kms! Inside has over 400 rooms, some bare conrete walls, some with renaissance art hanging on the walls and several had the full works - tapestries, furniture, frescos.

The history of the chateau was also very interesting as it was home to whom would have been next ...

... old churches-lovely to hear their tolling bells. Fields of sunflowers. I could go on and on....(yes, that's enough - Ed).
By now, it's getting quite late in the afternoon. Too much oohing and aahing going on and not enough attention to looking for campsites. Ardent campers swear there are camping signs everywhere but where are they when The Cables need one.
It's after 6pm now so we stop in a little village and ...

 From Chenonceaux we plan to drive about an hour east, to the town of Chambord with it's magnificent chateau.  Got kinda lost on our last visit here, bringin' a road map and google directions this time ...

If yesterday was about meandering rivers through green pastures filled with quietly grazing cattle, today is very much about the high plateaus with vast arable farms; not at all the familiar patchwork quilt effect of French farming of the past. But one thing that will never change about France is its size. It is a huge country and the combination of the landscape and the long, straight roads at this height produces an effect not dissimiliar to other big ...

... tranquilamente de las pinturas, los tapices, los monumentos y las armaduras. Ahora, tras este breve paso por el hotel, nos vamos a cenar al centro y dar una vuelta para tomar el pulso a la noche bloisiana. Ya hemos ojeado un par de bares que tienen buena pinta. Mañana por la mañana nos despedimos del Loira y salimos rumbo a casa de la prima de Jaione. A esta hora estaremos ya casi cerquita de casa y los días se nos acaban... ayysssss.... ¡qué duro es esto de estar de vacaciones! :D

... opportunity. Adaquately fueled up, we headed to the chateau which anchors the town. The tour is impressive, showing rooms and apartments renovated by each of the monarchs who stayed there. My favorite was actually a bathroom/powder room used by Marie Antionette. The palace was built over a midieval dungeon, which I was disappointed not to see. But the whole experience in French noble/royal decadence was striking. We also ...

HI there again everyone. After we left the Normandy beaches (although even as we drove, they still seemed to be there!), we headed for Le Mont St Michel. It's just an amazing island / town in the middle of the mud (or water - depending on the tide!) We made the smart move of doing the tour of the abbey that night (about 10pm). Apart from the eerie feeling of the dim lighting & the live chamber music, we were also ...

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.

... ten. There are some climbs, nothing serious, just to remind one of the Tour. You will sweat but it is more than worth it. Cheverny to Blois is just about 15 km. piece of cake because you probably will have rested in the great park of the Cheverny chateau or munched your sandwich with beer either in some of the inns opposite the castle or the town proper, which will be somewhat cheaper. Thus, to Blois ...

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 ...