We enjoyed a great stay at a campsite in Chartres and found Chartres to be an enchanting place with some fabulous cycle routes. Clearly we visited the Cathedral which has to be the most amazing Gothic Cathedral I have visited so far, well worth a visit.
11th August 09 – Beaugency
We stayed at the most wonderful location right on the banks of the Loire, complete with great cycling along the river. Well worth a visit for the views and cycling.
We decided on a quiet spot on a campsite in Cellette in order to celebrate Mal’s Birthday on the 13th! We spent the next 2 days cycling 27 miles through the woods and around the local area. On Mal’s Birthday we visited Chateau d’ Cheverny. The chateau is still pretty much lived in, and you’d know it. It is magnificently furnished while retaining that old world charm, brought back to the present with recent family photographs, and made familiar by the French children’s book (or was it a cartoon?) “Moulinsart” . In particular, we liked the little girls’ room as well as the dressing room where one can still view the wedding dress worn by the royal lady of the house. The afternoon was spent giving Mal a haircut and pedicure as part of his Birthday treats, alongside baking him a cake too! We enjoyed a lovely dinner outside alongside the river with a bottle of some sparkly stuff.
Cheverney
14th August 09 – Chenonceau We decided to move on today and visit Chateau Chenonceau. Château des Dames as recorded in the French history books; Chenonceau owes a large part of its charm to women: it was built in 1513 by Katherine Briçonnet, then made even more attractive by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis, and saved from the rigours of the French Revolution by Mrs Dupin. This Chateau is absolutely stunning and had the most breathtaking floral arrangements I have ever seen. Unfortunately, there are no aire facilities on the Chateau parking; however just around the corner at the side of the railway is a small aire which we decided to stay on. We were pleasantly surprised by the aire as it was in a great location right next to the chateau but were equally concerned about it being right next to the railway – however the trains didn’t run throughout the night so we had a great nights sleep.
15th August 09 – Azay le Rideau
We continue to head south to see our friends Mandy & Brian in Le Touch. Stopping off at Azay-le-Rideau which boasted yet another beautiful town complete with Chateau. Both deciding we were Chateaued out we did not visit the Chateau here albeit it looked stunning (maybe next time). The town here was pretty awesome too and well worth a visit. We stayed on the aire which is next to the campsite in town, where we spent our time relaxing.
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