Chateau-tastic!

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We’ve spent the last couple of days mostly touring a few more chateaux, and eating. 😉 I’ll share detailed accounts once we’re home, including many more pictures, but in the meantime here are a few highlights. Monday’s weather wasn’t bad…a few sprinkles and some sunshine.

20140429-174342.jpg Yes, those are giant teacups, just like the Disneyland ride.

We started off at Chaumont-sur-Loire and happened across a special garden exhibit featuring fantastical horticultural interpretations of “The Seven Deadly Sins” by several artists and landscape artists. We spent quite a bit of time looking at the various entries.

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Chaumont sits on a hill above the Loire and has some lovely views. After Chaumont, we drove over to Cheverny. I should add that since we’ve been in Amboise we haven’t needed to use the GPS, as the roads are much better marked and we now have a sense of what some of the signage means.

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Cheverny also has beautiful grounds. We wished we’d left ourselves more time for this visit, as there are boat and tram tours that show additional areas of the grounds not accessible on foot.

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Yesterday it began raining just as we set off for Villandry, and continued steadily for most of these rest of the day. Still, we couldn’t resist spending time exploring the stunning gardens.

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Again, I’ll post more at a later point, including some photos of the interiors. But right now, I have to finish re-packing because we have a train to catch… 😉

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16 Comments

  1. THANK YOU. I cannot tell you the lift these pictures just gave me. I am practically weeping over the wisteria photo! Oh you are so lucky to be able to visit such a gorgeous place and I feel so lucky that you are sharing your photos with all of us. Thank you, thank you for bringing a piece of that beauty into my life! XO, Jill

  2. Oh just lovely photos! You look like the poster child for travel chic! I would love to see some more pics of your accommodations as you move around to different locations. Thanks.

  3. Villandry is my very favorite! I love the gardens there and even bought a mouse pad so when I’m sitting at my computer (as I am now) I get to see them every day…though I am jealous that you got to see them in person. Looking forward to hearing about the rest of your trip!

  4. These photos are gorgeous. Makes me want to go back…..we haven’t been to the Loire Valley yet. Sally

  5. Those formal gardens are something else aren’t they and the whole place is so green — well to these Australian eyes anyway. I guess the showers are the price you pay for the lush gardens. Have fun, I’m having fun looking over your shoulder!

  6. When my sister and I visited the Loire Valley, our feet hurt so much after all the stone floors that we called it ” chateau feet,” but I think we weren’t wearing appropriate footwear. I hope you aren’t experiencing that. Also, the more I see of your pictures, the more I think I need one of those utility jackets. You always look great, rain or shine!

  7. Those gardens are just spectacular! I’ve seen a lot of English stately homes, but I’ve never been to a French chateau. Maybe next time I get to France. I will definitely remember the name Amboise.

  8. Glad the weather is at least ok now. Gorgeous photos! Although France is my neighbour country I haven’t been to the chateaux as we mostly travel to Italy.
    I look forward to the next photos.

    Annette | Lady of Style

  9. Amazing! Those castles look like fairytales i.e. the Disney castle. I love that garden with the blue flowers (bluebells?) with red tulips dotted above them. So beautiful.