The Loire Valley
In a roundabout way we came upon the Chateau de Razay just outside the town of Cere de Ronde for our stay in the Loire Valley. How appropriate! Our own chateau, complete with llamas, horses, pigs, goats, sheep, dogs and cats and even an emu! No dinner served here though so we ate in little cafes in the town of Montrichard, on the banks of the Cher River. The Cher is south of the Loire and was the boundary between occupied and free France in WWII. Chateau Chenonceau spans the Cher River. Lovely indeed.
We hired a hot air balloon ride over the Cher and Loire Valleys on our first evening. We loved the ride, the scenery, waving to people below, and even a rather surprising crash landing! That was certainly Miles’ favorite part.
We visited the last home of Leonardo de Vinci in the town of Amboise. Francois I of France was enamored of the Italian, and gave him a petit chateau and lovely garden where he wrote and tinkered and designed things for his last 3 years! Leonardo designed the first helicopter, armored tank, crank -operated water wheel, the cam, and ball bearings -- to name a few things! Our last day in the region was spent in canoes, drifting down the Loire River, relaxing together a bit before setting off to Paris.
A bientot!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
