Loire Valley
Trip Start
Jun 28, 2007
1
18
52
Trip End
Oct 01, 2007
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Blois,
France
Friday, July 20, 2007
Loire Valley
This area is called "Valley of the Kings" because of the numerous royal chalets that are scattered along the Loire river. Once owned by the Kings of France and the neighboring countries, these are beautiful, massive castles and fortresses. Chambord and Cheverny were the two closest to Blois, the town we visited for three days.
From the biking aspect, the area was disappointing. We expected to be able to get to the chalets by bike and maybe spend the afternoon hanging out on the grounds under a tree with a book. However, the roads were very narrow and not at all conducive to relaxed riding or seeing much of the area by bike. It was gorgeous by car, so we adapted just fine
Blois Restaurant
.An interesting place we visited for a day was the place where Leonardo Da Vinci spent his last years. The Chateau du Clos Luce was an incredible chateau and gardens given to him for his use by the French king. Being a poor man, he brought everything he owned by mule to this place, including the canvas of the unfinished Mona Lisa, which he completed there on the grounds. It was an amazing place, chronicling all of his amazing achievements in art and science.
In Blois, we stayed 3 nights at a very "interesting" place. In this area of France, we're learning just how limited our French is. And that's important when no one speaks English and you're negotiating for important things - like a bed or a meal! :-) So we're wearing the French phrase-book out - pointing a lot - and as we're driving through the quaint French towns we're having French lessons as we go.
Onward to Lyon...
