This was a very full day of sightseeing with a local guide through the Loire River Valley of France, known for its many chateaus and castles. First we stopped at a massive renaissance, Chateau de Chambord. With its 128 ft, facade and 440 rooms, it is the largest chateau of the Loire. Located in a 13,600 acre park, it was home to Kings Francois I, Henri II, Louis XIV and other Royal family members. We did not go inside.
Next was the 16th century le Chateau des
Dames, Chenonceau. This was the home
of Catherine de Medici and her
husband, King Henry II. They shared
the chateau with his mistress Diane de
Poitiers until he died in a
jousting tournament and the Queen kicked
her out to another chayeau almost as
nice, down the river. It has two
large gardens, one for each woman,
and was built as a bridge across the
Loire River. The kitchen was built
into one of the piers of the
bridge. We had a rip-off lunch on the
grounds.
