...and we headed for Chisseaux, where there were cruise boats that went under the arches of le Chateau de Chenonceau. A coach full of German tourists pulled up, so we ended up on the bigger boat (with the French guide handing the mike to the German bus tour guide for her to translate the French commentary into German. I actually understood more of the German than the French.) The Cher river was running very full - not as wide or strong as the Loire, but there must have been some decent rain in the catchments. It was a 50 minute cruise, but it only took five minutes to get to the Chateau, so I was a bit concerned...but I needn't have worried. We spent most of our time just hanging around Chenonceau. He turned side on so we could get good photos - both left and right sides. Then under the arches, and then downstream until Chenonceau was no longer in sight.
Turn around, head back upstream. This time Phil and I climbed up onto the upper deck for unobstructed views. Very slow approach and departure - ample opportunities for great photos.
It was a fabulous trip. Into the car and off to le Chateau de Chenonceau itself. The boat trip cost us EU 9 each, the castle entry EU 11. Pretty good value! As it wasn't raining, we did the gardens first. There was a VERY LONG driveway lined by beautiful tall trees.
Chenonceau was the property of Diane de Poitiers (the mistress of King Henri II) from 1547 to 1559, and she built a bridge over the Cher from the Chateau to the hunting grounds on the far side. She also had a garden built for herself using the crown's money. It's 12,000 square metres.
Once Henri died in 1559, his wife, Catherine de Medici, kicked Diane out. Her garden is much smaller, only 5,500 square metres, but she was the one who built the castle on top of the bridge on the river.
The rest of the grounds were really nice, too. I liked these gardens much more than Villandry. They were just as extensive, less formal, more colourful and less cordoned off. The Chancellerie was covered in wisteria, and we found the most magnificent specimen of this particular blossom tree (which I have seen all over Europe but don't know what it is).
Into the Chateau.
A couple of photos from inside. Louis XIV in an elaborate frame. The large hall, which is the first floor across the river. One of the fresh flower arrangements in the rooms. They were all beautiful, but these daisies caught my fancy.
We met an Australian couple (from Adelaide) on the balcony, and we took photos for each other. The first is overlooking Diane's garden, the second Catherine's garden.
Once we left Chenonceau, we headed for La Porte Bleue for our last two nights in Amboise. We have been so lucky with our accommodations so far; they have all been fantastic and this one is no exception. It's a very large 3 room apartment, with two windows overlooking the Loire and the Chateau d'Amboise.
MAMMAL WATCH - Red Squirrel.
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