Anyone for another chateau?

Monday 21^st April

We have fallen on our feet here at this hotel. We have room to dance, and can have a party in the bathroom. Costs a bit more but it is a nice, friendly hotel. We are here for 2 nights. Last night it was full due to Paque (Easter) and also a national motocross event nearby. Seems that Monday is a public holiday for Easter and is more of a big deal than Friday or Sunday.

Today we headed out to visit a chateau nearby, Chenonceau. They call it the ladies chateau as it has been owned by a few well known figures, one of them, Catherine de Medici who was queen of France after her husband (Henry II) died. A beautiful chateau inside and out but one of the most impressive things was the collection of 16^th and 17^th century tapestries throughout the chateau. Most of them are still in quite good condition. I can’t imagine how many people and how long it took to make these tapestries – they are something like 20ft X 30ft. Wonderful!

Chenonceau chateau - looking across the gardens

 

There were hundreds of people there -
probably because it was Easter Monday and a holiday.

Just one of the many 16th century tapestries,

The gallery - used as the ballroom

The gallery is the part over the river.

Part of the kitchens

Another of the beautiful tapestries

Some of the farm houses that are part of the chateau

The flower garden - an absolutely stunning display of tulips.
I have never seen so many colours.

We then headed for Clos Luce which was where Leonardo Da Vinci lived for the last 4 years of his life. This place showcased some of Leonardo’s inventions, amongst them the tank, breech loading cannon, hydrometer and the life preserver ring. Rob was amazed at the amount of weaponry he invented, as he lived there with the blessing of the King of France and felt obliged to do some of this work. Some amazing stuff.

It was 5pm by this time so time to head home via a couple of other chateaux, just for the photo shoot.

Chateau D'Ussee - said to be the Sleeping Beauty castle