We cycled along the Loire to this Renaissance château from 1536, but which has undergone many changes, lovingly restored to the original design about 100 years ago. It's best known for its gardens in both Italian and French styles. The ornamental and water gardens are particularly appealing. I will post photos after we get home. Because this is a long weekend many people are visiting and it's busy. Tonight we went for a long walk, passing orchards, livestock and fields. Check www.chateauvillandry.com.
Friday May 6: driving around the Loire and Indre
Since we hadn't used the car for two days it was time to see more of the countryside: wooden boats at Brehemont where we picnicked, Usse with its Sleeping Beauty chateau that influenced Disneyland and along the vineyard route, though we didn't find one open. Tonight we went on a wooden boat cruise with our hosts and some American guests who are staying here. The boats, called "toues", are 100 years old and were formerly used to transport cargo on the river.
With Richard and Roseliane in front if our cottage:
Brehemont on the Loire
Sleeping Beauty castle
Sat. May 7: Royal Fortress of Chinon, Fontvraud Abbey and Candes-St-Martin
The fortress of Chinon consists of three castles. Only one wing of the former Royal quarters exists from the 15th C. Henry II Plantagenet, crowned King of England in 1154, reigned over an empire stretching from England to Aquitaine, making Chinon the centre of his continental possessions. Joan of Arc stayed here in 1429 under the protection of Charles VII, lodged in the Coudray keep, before meeting her sad end in Reims. We had an English-speaking guide all to ourselves. The medieval town below is well-restored. Later we drove along the Vienne to the Fontvraud Abbey and to Candes-St-Martin, where he died in 397. We walked uphill past inhabited cave dwellings to view the convergence of the rivers Loire and Vienne.
Views from Chinon:
Medieval town on the Vienne
Sun. May 8: last day in Touraine region
We took another 12-km bike ride through the countryside and along the river this morning, past fields of cattle and rows of poplars originally used for the camembert boxes. Tonight Richard and Roseliane invited us over for drinks and quiche. He treated us to a performance of songs in French and English while playing the keyboard. Earlier today he released a swarm of bees, one of four he's caught since we arrived. They have been such great hosts; we will miss them. We drive about 200 kms. tomorrow, just south of Limoges, where we'll spend one night at a B and B.
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