We crossed the river at Ancenis , then across country, past Tours to Ambroise.
Close to Amboise (15 kms) was the town of Vouvray full of caves selling wine, apparently a good wine for the area.
Amboise is a lovely town with a small centre of restaurants with the forbidding walls of the chateau royal Amboise on one side.
The other side imposed over the river Loire . We didn’t go inside. The van park is on the island in the middle (Ile de
Or) of the river Loire, with the chateau very imposing over the river.
We stayed in town walking around some back streets ,having a lovely breshetta and beer for dinner
Day 2
A drive out to the chateau Chenonceau which spans the river Cher. It was built between 1514-1522 but history dates back further. Most building was done by Queen Catherine , widow of King Henry 2 making the chateau her favourite residence, in 1559. The chateau changed through many hands, it was even used as a hospital in WW2 and a means of escaping Germany occupation to the free zone on the other side of the river. In 1951 it was restored after a flood ravaged it in 1940s.
The afternoon all but gone we stopped to shop and wash the car before walking into town for a lovely restaurant dinner.
Canard fois gras, Shoulder of lamb served on mash potato and veg and like a stew but yummy.
Dessert a Grand mariner mouse with fruit syrup also very yum
John and I shared the entree and dessert , having our own mains.
below some more picture on our walk to town.
Day 3
We walked the 2 kms to Chateau du Clos Luce the home of Leonardo de Vinci for the last 3 years of his life, 1519 age 67.
After a visit to the house we explored all his inventions displayed all around the gardens , saw some of his paintings and learned that he was not only an invertor and an artist but a architect and botanist and was fascinated in water technology, flight amoung others.
A great place to visit .
The rest of the afternoon after walking back through town for a icecream and beer was back to the van for washing and relaxing.
Day 4
Chambord chateau
Approx one hours drive and near the city of Blois. An expensive Chateau where people not from the EU are charged ten euro more than EU citizens 31 euro each.
The chateaux was started in 1519 by Francis the 1st and even though Leonardo de Vinci died prior to its commencement some of his ideas in architecture were used for its central staircase. The towers , chimneys and staircases amazing. The inside lacked furniture as most of this had disappeared over time but some pieces and tapesteries from the 16- 18 th c prevailed. Many kings used the chateau as hunting lodges with periods where the chateau was left to decay occurred . It was once used by Loius the 14 th.
Some of the vault ceiling are carved with Francis 1 st emblems and the letter F .
The gardens were observed from the terrarces.
pic
The chateau came into the township of the state of France in 1930.
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