We packed it in and headed back north for the Loire Valley, chateau country. We arrived in our hotel about 2am after having been awake for nearly 24 hours (again). We stayed in an old French mansion that had been refurbished by an English family and turned into a hotel. They had an exquisite restaurant on the premises which we enjoyed nightly. The next morning we rented a two-person kayak and paddled down the Loire river (into a rather strong headwind). We could see some villages and one chateau from the river. On the way home, we stopped to see Chambord, the largest castle in the region. Built in the early 1500's, this chateau is a grand example of Renaissance art. We arrived in the evening and the lighting was incredible, with the puffy clouds floating in the sky.

Bill and Chambord Chateau de Chambord Benita and Chambord Ivy Covered Building Old Bridge with Sunflower Fields

Thursday we rented bikes and pedalled around. We ended up doing about 100km (60 miles), which was a significant distance given the ever-present wind. We went to Chaumont sur Loire which is a beautiful chateau on a hill. Built in the mid-1500s, this castle still has a working drawbridge. Catherine de Medicis gave this chateau to Diane de Poitiers in exchange for the chateau Chenonceau (see below). When we were there, they were having a garden festival exposition of landscape architects from all over Europe. Very interesting.

Pedalling the Loire Garden Festival at Chaumont Garden Festival at Chaumont Garden Festival at Chaumont Garden Festival at Chaumont Bill and Chaumont Benita at the Castle Gate

Then we pedalled to Chenonceau (a personal favorite of mine) which spans the Cher river. This chateau was given to Diane de Poitiers as a gift from Henry II before his death in 1559. In World War II, one end of this castle was in occupied France and the other end was in the free zone. We did a self-guided tour of the inside, which really interested Bill.

Arriving at Chenonceau Bill and Chenonceau One of Chenonceau's Gardens Chenonceau Gargoyle Queen's Bed Benita and the Other Garden

Friday we stopped in the town of Chartres. Filled with flowers, this town has one of the oldest and largest cathedrals in France. It was built mostly between 1050-1180. Again, Bill and I were stupefied. Makes our 'old' buildings in the US seem NEW.

Flower Garden in a Public Park in Chartres Flower Garden in a Public Park in Chartres Flower Garden in a Public Park in Chartres More Flowers in Road Medians Benita and Chartres Cathedral Side Entrance Chartres Cathedral Door Detail Stained Glass at Chartres

Finally we headed over to the town where I lived while an exchange student in 1985-86. The village hasn't changed much (except for the addition of a McDonald's restaurant). Bill enjoyed seeing the street sign -- Somehow many years ago the same sign found its way home with me and now hangs in our kitchen. We visited my host mother and brother, and more friends came over for dinner.

The Infamous Rue des Passereaux Street Sign The House Where I Lived Benita, Jeannette and Nicolas

Throughout our trip, Bill was fascinated by the variety of different (SMALL) cars in Europe. Many familiar brands, but almost no familiar models. Here is a sampling:

Fiat 500 Smart Car - Joint Venture Between Swatch Watches and Mercedes Fiat Barchetta - Front Engine, Front Wheel Drive Fiat Multipla Multipla Interior Ford Fiesta

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