Sarlat, Beynac, La Roque Gageac, and Castelnaud

Bleak skies didn't stop us from getting out early this morning to try and capter Sarlat before it was over run by tourists. Damn tourist getting in the way. The grey skies didn't stop us from getting out, but sure limited the photo opportunities.




The road was calling our names after we finished breakfast, so we headed to some of the nearby sights to see what we could see. First stop, Beynac et Ceznac, a remarkably beautiful town on the river, with an equally remarkable castle on the hill immediately above clinging to the top of the cliff.








This, and every other place on today's visits, transport you to another time and place. The most striking thing is the difference in the stone here versus the old villages that we have visited in the north of France. While in the north the buildings are all grey and cold, here they are all a golden hue, giving the towns a much warmer glow.

Beynac sent us on our way, after a few hours, to the tiny town of La Roque Gageac that has been carved from the cliffs that rise steeply from the river. There is still evidence of the more ancient dwellings built into the face of the cliff high above the town.

La Roque is embraced by those cliffs and the river, making this petite jewel well worth the time to visit.




Castelnaud stands sentry over the river valley on what used to be the English side of the river during the Hundred Years War. The castle at Beynac was the French equivalent. Castelnaud is one of the most interesting castles that we have ever visited, because they have taken the time to collect a variety of middle ages weapons, several trebuchets among these. Though replicas, they lend a real authenticity to the surroundings. This castle, and Beynac, have been restored so well that you are able to experience the way it must have really been almost 500 years ago.




An interesting side note is the difference in the stature of the people then compared to now. For me especially, these trips back in time can be a bit challenging as the doors are almost all about chin level to me, and when we climb the spiral stairs in the towers it is easier for me to ascend them using hands and feet as if I were climbing a ladder rather than standing upright to walk the stairs.

All on all, a very successful day in the Dordogne River Valley of France.




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Location:Avenue du Général Leclerc,Sarlat-la-Canéda,France

Chinon Chateau

View from the ramparts of the chateau. My expectations upon visiting this chateau or fortress were not high. As often when you expect nothing you are rewarded with everything. The fortress was badly beaten down from past conflicts, but where ever possible video vignettes led you through the politics and conflicts of old. There was also a fairy garden and treehouse for kids to romp around. We enjoyed an apple tart in the little cafe on the grounds.




These are stone trebuchet balls.




Guard house privy




Guard hose tower
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Location:Chinon, France

Chenonceau, Cheverny, and Chambord

The truth, there are so many chateau in the Loire Valley that you can't possibly take them all in. Chenonceau, Cheverny, and Chambord are three of the most notable.

Chenonceau, because of its beauty and unique design. We were there bright and early, as is our way, and beat the crush of the tour bus crowd. Chenoceau sits astride the River Cher like a swan. It's ivory facade reflecting in the river like a pearl.

We had the run of the place and were able to move about this magnificent chateau unimpeded. This made viewing the exquisite furniture and tapestries a joy. The tour of the gleaming kitchens was a marvel as we were blinded by the light dancing off the highly polished copper cookware.

Cheverny, still lived in, and beautifully maintained by the same family since its construction, is a real gem. Some of the walls are covered in ornate tapestries while others are hand painted wall panels. The rooms of this chateau are so well furnished in period pieces, because the castle has been in the family's hands all along, that you get an excellent picture of what life was like for the original family members.

And, Chambord, the immensity of which I am not sure can be effectively shared in word or photo, is quite the opposite. It had fallen into disrepair and there are very few furnishings in this cavernous building. That said, there is every reason to visit to see this monster and its central double spiral staircase that intertwines with one another. It is possible for one person to be going up the staircase and another going down and never see one another.

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Location:Rue Lavoisier,Chinon,France

Wedding at Chateau Langeais

The bride is Anne de Bretagne who is 14 years old. The groom is King Charles VIII, 21 years old. The year is 1491. Below are wax life sized figures



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Location:Langeais, France

Amboise Chateau and Chateau Clos du Luce

Our meanderings returned us to Amboise where we spent the afternoon visiting the two chateau in town. Chateau Clos du Luce was where Leonardo de Vinci spent his last years. The chateau is now pretty much devoted to sharing his genius with the visitors. The chateau is beautiful and the grounds are captivating, but in my opinion, it was not worth the 12.50 Euro for each of us.
Our afternoon explorations left me a little underwhelmed, but that's okay. The morning more than made up for it as I detailed in the previous post.

But, Jodi is of a different opinion. She disagrees, and feels that 12.50 Euro was a real value. She was totally enthralled and shot many photos of da Vinci's models.

She particularly like the full size models that are spread around the grounds.
Afterward, we made a much needed pit-stop at Amorino's, a very upscale glacee' (ice cream filled brioche, ice cream, and gelatto) emporium, for a pick-me up.

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Location:Amboise, France

Chateaux Azay-le-Rideau and Langeais

We deliberately skirted the city of Tours today as we made our way from Amboise to Chinon. Along the way we were able to take in two more of the most beautiful chateaux of this region, Chateaux Azay-le-Rideau and Langeais.


Chateaux Azay-le-Rideau
Chateaux Azay-le-Rideau sits on an island in the river Indre. This chateau is one of the loveliest and most visited chateau of the Loire Valley. Like many of the chateaux its beautifully reflected in the waters that surround it.



One of the reasons this castle is such a joy to visit is because it has been renovated several times of the years. As Jodi says, she feels giddy when we are fortunate enough to find ourselves among the first to visit that day. To have the castle so free of others gives us the opportunity to get great uncluttered photos.



The popularity of this chateau is due to this fact and that it furnished through out giving you a real taste of what life was like for nobility.







Langeais
Just a few kilometers away is the town of Langeis and its castle. These two neighbors are very dissimilar in construction and the history that is depicted in each.

Langeais is dated back to as early as the 10th century. It was one of many castles built for military purposes unlike most of the chateau of the Loire, and was always in the thick of the fighting because of its strategic location.

A visit here is so enjoyable because of attention to detail that has gone into the restoration. Many of the rooms were staged to give accurate depictions of the time.
In particular, the video explaining the importance of the chateau historically was fascinating.












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Location:Azay and Langeais, Loire, France

I really enjoy reading MyMelange.com.  It is a travel blog that focuses almost exclusively on travel to Paris and Italy.

I just came across a post written by a guest author by the name of Molly. The article was of particular interest to me, because our trip this summer is going to take us to the Loire Valley chateaux country.

Since there are so many in the area, we have been wondering which ones to see and which we could skip.  This article really helps to narrow it down a bit.

Five Chateaux in France

The author discusses:
Chateau Chambord

As Molly puts it: "Hidden in the center of a forest is the Chateau Chambord. If you close your eyes for a moment and envision what your idea might be for a house only occupied for the occasional nights stay or whose primary use would be as a hunting lodge – a castle with 440 rooms, 84 staircases, and 365 fireplaces would certainly not be what most people would have in mind. Yet, this was the structure that filled the desires of King Francois I. For a hunting lodge, it is the largest Chateau in the Loire Valley."

This is definitely one of the chateaux that we definitely have in our plans.  Jodi has spent a lot of time looking it over already

Chateau d’ Usse

This is one that we have overlooked I think.  I looks terribly interesting, and looks as if it could be a castle from a number of fairytales. 


Chateau Villandry

Molly says that it is not the beauty of the chateau’s design that draws people here, but the gardens surrounding it. The chateau is impressive it seems, but apparently its French mosaic gardens are the main draw.


Chateau Chaumont

Chaumont is supposed to be one of the oldest chateau’s in the Loire Valley.


Chateau Versailles

And, of course, you can't talk of chateaux in France without including the palace at Versailles. Most people are aware of Versailles and its beauty.

Versailles is not in the Loire, but it certainly can't be left off this list.

To read Molly's full article,  visit MyMelange.com

Written by Molly@MyMelange.com Photo Credits : MACSURACK / ell brown / cookipediachef / aschaf / CpaKmoi