Month: June 2023

Chateau Gaillard

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This Chateau lies down the road from Clos Luce. It is currently a private home with gardens, walking paths, and is truly a beautiful Chateau. Besides its beauty, the Chateau has many historical artifacts. Most of the information within the Chateau is written in French but able to discern the meaning. For more about the Chateau http://chateau-gaillard-amboise.fr/

Some pictures..

The Chateau is known for its orange trees.

An interesting part of the visit was the area where the medieval chateau workers lived during this time period.

Some of the nature areas and gardens.

The Chateau is open for weddings and believe this would be a lovely spot for that. If visiting buy tickets at the door as there was much confusion with my Expedia ticket which colored my stay, enough said.

Clos Luce

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There was so much to this visit that it is difficult to shore it down to a short blog, but I will attempt. Leonardo did much to change the world and his ideas continue to play out in our present day. This is an amazing truth from a man who lived 1452-1519.

Let’s start with the home. I arrived at 8:15 for a 9:00 a.m. opening and was glad I did as groves of buses and folks arrived by 9:15. As the first tourist in I had the home to myself for a full 20 minutes! Easier for photos and to drink in Leonardo alone – what a gift.

The Bed Chamber

Leonardo even painted on the walls of his bed chamber.

Take time to observe the beautiful windows in the home.

His Chapel

The ceilings of the Chapel are masterpieces.

His Studio and Office – here are the actual brushes and paints of the master.

His Office

The Dining Room

The Gardens

The Private Garden

Leonardo’s Inventions – in the basement of the home many of the da vinci inventions are displayed. Then these same inventions are functioning throughout the gardens. A fascinating depiction of his talents!

The Waterwheel

Take 3 to 4 hours for this visit. Sit among the extensive gardens and drink in the beauty and inventions. There are also several restaurants on the property and the gift shop interesting.

Thank you, Leonardo.

Amboise

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This small, charming historic town has a power house of wonderful venues to visit. It was the most enjoyable part of my visit, and if attempting to see castles/history of the Loire Valley in a limited period of time choose Amboise for your visit.

Here’s what Amboise has to offer:

  • Chateau du Close Luce – the home of Leonardo da vinci
  • Chateau Gaillard
  • Chaumont sur Loire
  • Chateau Royal d’Amboise

Accommodations in the area are reasonable, and navigating the small streets are fun- drive slow. Parking is available on the river in a safe lot, and free. Take a walk on the river if you have the time as it is an enjoyable experience. The walk from the parking is short and you will pass by the tourism center – stop in as their friendly staff has great ideas for your visit. Have I sold you yet on a visit? A few photos of the town surely will.

Have you bought your ticket yet?

Tours

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What a great town and an enjoyable visit. Stayed here at a perfect hotel – even had parking with a breakfast, (not included), to start the day. What an amazing sleep and stay! Hotel Du Manoir – check it out. If traveling via train there is station in town and most guided tours start from this area.

What I enjoyed most was the timbered homes – half wooden/half stones. Walking through the streets they are omnipresent.

Then there is the Tours Cathedral – took 400 years to build. It looms large over the City.

But what I enjoyed most was the diversity in restaurants, and then there are those bakeries – YUM!

Charming historic streets to visit and one named after my favorite…

So, if in the area plan a visit to Tours.. Walk the streets in the early morning quiet and enjoy the charm..

Wonder where this door leads??

Chambord

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Chambord is one of the largest of the Loire Valley Castles, taking over 200 years to build from the 16th to 18th century. In visiting the public is allowed to tour 80 of the 440 rooms. King Francis I at 20 years of age began construction to prove his power.

The Castle is currently undergoing massive renovations. It is owned by the French government.

A photo of the courtyard where the citizens stood to view the King.

The King was close to Leonardo da vinci and much of the castle has his touch. There are 77 staircases with an interesting twist as they mirror each other so rivals do not have to intermingle. Maybe we need that in America?? A picture of the staircases from the outside is viewed below.

The King and Queen Apartments

This was the second waiting room for those coming to speak to the King.

Red is the color for royalty.

The Kings Bed Chamber – The King did not actually sleep in this room. His subjects saw him in this room waking and going to sleep, however, he slept in another smaller room for security purposes and warmth.

The Queen’s Bed Chamber

Royalty often conducted much business in their bed chambers. The Queen’s desk and writing utensils are pictured below.

Tapestry of the Queen’s Bed Chamber – Note Chambord in the background of the tapestry.

The King and Queen’s Chapel

There also is a private prayer area for the King and Queen in a balcony.

The oldest door in the castle thought to be from the 14th century.

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Plan time for a visit to the reconstructed medieval town on the grounds of the Castle. Great retail and restaurants are here.

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This concludes the 3 castle tour with A la Francaise.

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Tomorrow a visit to Tours, another fascinating French city, and oh those pastries!

Private Castle Visit

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Here is where we dined for lunch served by a Countess whose family had purchased the Castle. The Castle was built over a 10 year period from 1527 to 1537, and was previously owned by a royal family. Kings stayed here while Chambord Castle was being built. Today the Castle is a private home and closed for touring, however, the owners have developed an interesting array of museum items on the property for viewing.

A Carriage Exhibit including early baby carriages and bicycles..

A Marriage Exhibit with wedding gowns from the early 20th century.

Plus a fascinating display of globes which sailors gave to their betrothed upon their departure to sea. Who knew??

A close up of one of the globes..

An Extraordinary Chapel

And lunch was delicious – quiche, salad, cheese, and yes, French wine!

And will close with more pictures of this unique home..

Close-up of the Home’s Front Doors

The exterior of the home.

And the day isn’t over yet, one more castle to g

Caveat: For those wishing to tour the Chateau contact the vendor mentioned in previous blogs or Expedia.

Tour of 3 Castle Properties – Chateau De Chenonceau

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Today I toured with a company through Expedia known as à la française. Camille was phenomenal as a guide and this was such a unique experience. What made it even more wonderful was we were all English speaking so much was learned and we got along – an added bonus. No tr folk. Yeah!

Here’s Camille’s info if interested in an amazing trip. She has recently begun her business and is looking into a Christmas tour of the castles – oh la la! What a dream trip.

Chateau De Chenonceau

This Castle is owned privately by the Mentier Chocolate Company of France, (a subsidiary of Nestle). They purchased the Castle in 1912, and began renovations at that time. There are 103 castles which are open to the public in France.

Castles can be open to the public or owned by families. They can be devoted to touring or become a hotel establishment if the owner wishes tax breaks. While the government can offer to help financially, the paperwork is challenging and difficult.

At Chenonceau there are floral gardens – the Queen’s, and the King’s mistress, wine tasting, and vegetable gardens, and an array to beauty to take in.

Let’s start taking in that beauty.

Welcome to Chenonceau

The Home of King Henry II’s Mistress and Her Gardens

Catherine de Medici Gardens – She was King Henry II’s wife, and her gardens were a bit sparser. While the King respected Catherine, his favorite was his mistress, Diane de Poitiers.

More outside views of the castle

Originally there was vast acreage associated with the Castle and much hunting occurred on the property.

The Dungeon – this was the original structure on the property. There was also a mill on the property, however, once construction began the mill was destroyed but the Dungeon remained. Only nobles in Medieval times were allowed dungeons.

This Castle is considered a ladies castle as so many royal woman inhabited it. Catherine was known to give extensive parties here as she felt if people partied they were happy and not likely to engage in war. Interesting idea. During World War I and II the Castle was used as a hospital with the owner paying to establish this.

Hallway where recovering prisoners were housed. They were said to fish out the windows of this hallway for recreation.

A tribute to those who were cared for at this site.

In the out buildings of the Castle there is an exhibit showing how the hospital was arranged and developed.

More Out Buildings on the Property

A Display of Carriages of the Time

A Wine Tasting Room

And inside the Castle..

The Sun King’s Bedroom

Catherine’s Bedroom

The Chapel

The Kitchen – was the most extensive I have ever seen.

Wouldn’t want to be the gal assigned to scrubbing those copper pots. Would you??

Some Beautiful Tapestries

King Henry II died at a young age in a war related event. After that Catherine de Medici threw Diane out sending her to another castle to live and she took residence at Chenonceau.

Oh, the stories of the Renaissance!

Chateau D’Azay-Le-Rideau

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Came across this Chateau quite by accident as I had read on the internet it was closed. You never know what you’ll find when you travel, and D’Azay-Le-Rideau was a find. This 16th century jewel combines French, Italian, and Flemish influences and resides on an island. With its Grand Staircase it is considered a Loire Valley architectural masterpiece.

More Grounds and then we’ll enter the Castle..

The grounds were the most peaceful of all the castles I visited.

This Castle has been owned by the French government since 1905 and has ongoing renovations. An interesting picture of the beam structure appears below. When visiting see the video on the renovation – fascinating.

There are many unique and beautiful tapestries at the castle. Tapestry design falls into 3 categories – religious, mythical, and those with a military/war type design. Tapestries act as an insulator removing the cold from the castle., When royalty moved from castle to castle they brought their tapestries, dishes, and furniture with them to their next abode.

D’Azay was built to be a museum, however, fortunes were lost and art work sold to cover debt. There are some remaining art works, and of course the 15th century tapestries still present from the collection are on view.

Quite a unique fireplace. The salmander signifies French royalty.

The Kitchen and Dining Room

The Billiard Room – During the 19th century this room was used for relaxing with friends.

The Salon/Library

More Tapestries..

While the Castle reigns from the 16th century when the government acquired it in 1905 it was essentially bare. It has been restored to the 19th century in some rooms as shown, and other rooms remain sparsely furnished as the castle was in the 16th century. Most of the castle furnishings were acquired through museum donations.

The Castle lies in a beautiful medieval town. There is also a travel park adjacent to the property. In much of France people tour with trailers. This is another option for those wishing to tour France and other EU countries.

Villandry

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Here is the first castle visited in the Young Retiree Needs A Life series. Villandry has been inhabited since the 16th century Renaissance period. Once known as a fortress, today it is a masterpiece of 9 acres of gardens, ponds, and terraces. In 1906, it was acquired by a Spanish medical researcher and his wife who restored the castle and gardens.

But enough of history, pictures say it all..

The Gardens

And a Castle tour is also available.

One thing that amazed me throughout the castle tours were the condition of the tapestries with some from as early as the 15th century.

In each room were exquisite flower arrangements from the gardens. The couple lived here as they renovated and his wife was an American.

No words can describe the beauty of this arrangement.

The Dining Room

Even flowers in the kitchen ..

The Formal Parlor

The town of Villandry is adjacent to the castle and is a delightful Medieval town. Take time to meander their streets post tour.