Loving Loire

June 8th 2003

Bonjour! Well, it hasn't been long since our last post, and to be honest, we haven't been up to much either. It would seem that the term "one day strike" is used in the most general way possible out here. Today it's another grey and typically quiet French Sunday here, coupled with the fact that it's a bank holiday as well, so there is nothing much happening ! Firstly, about that excursion: it was really good fun! Suprisingly, our guide Philippe and his bright yellow mini-bus took us around 4 sights of the Loire, without any element of being 'guided'. We were dropped off at places, and were given a time to return to enjoy each sight in our own time :) Firstly we went to visit Chateau Chenonceau. This is amongst one of the top three most visited places in France, and we could see why immediately. Upon entry, a tree-lined path lead us to a fantastic open space and gardens before the Chateau itself. This chateau is actually built over the river; and although we spent little time looking round the inside, we loved the grounds around it, and had some fantastic views! After this; we boarded our transport, and with a cry of 'So, now we visit Amboise...' from Philippe, we were off. Whilst the other people on the tour headed to the Chateau here, we chose to explore the town instead. The town was small and very inviting, with many lanes to explore -- and glorious views from the river too! After not long, our time was up, and we had to head back to our mini-bus. Our next stop was 2 minutes away, and was the home of Leonardo Di Vinci for the last 3 years of his life: Clos-Luce. Now a museum dedicated to his life and inventions, this Chateau would occupy us for about 1 hour. We first looked quickly around the various bedrooms and studies that once belonged to the great inventor; before heading down to the cellar to where the real fun began: his inventions. There was a fantastic display of models, with explanations, and this was by far the more interesting part of the visit to Clos-Luce. After looking round the house, we turned our attention to the Rennaisance gardens outside, which were the grounds of the house. We were suprised to see that most of Di Vinci's inventions had gone outdoors too: life-size recreations of his drawings from tanks to paddle boats, bridges to cannons; it was all there. Soon after, we boarded the bus again. Last stop of the day was to Vouvray and for a little tour of the 'caves' there. The caves are now Wine cellars :) It was an ice-cool 13° under ground, and we had a tour of the area before sampling some of the white only wine. We tried four types of varying sweetness, and even the local speciality of wine there too, before heading back to Tours, and promptly ending our day :) The last two days, our planned day-trips have not happened due to the strikes, and so now we find ourselves killing time here. Fortunately, this morning there was the 'Grand Prix de Tours', an event which closes the main square near the Hotel de Ville and turns the roads into a short race circuit where cars of all types race around in short 5 lap + races! This kept us occupied for a while :) it was a really amazing event, with classic cars, 1950's F1 cars and more modern Minis, Renault Spiders and Lotus Elises as well -- good stuff!! That's all we have, but no doubt if our lack of daytrips continues; you'll hear a loit more from us!!! Tomorrow is bank holiday style Monday, and Tuesday is another 'major' strike day (official at least), so maybe we will be restricted to Tours for the next few days. Ah well. Rich

Listed by : Rich

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