3 Days in the Loire Valley

Thursday, July 20

After leaving the ship we took the train to Tours in the Loire valley.  In Tours we were taken on a walking tour.  It is notable for its half-timbered houses, some of which lean and twist.  

After lunch we were bused to Amboise where we would spend the next 2 nights.

Friday, July 21

This was a busy day, starting with a visit to the Chateau de Chenonceau.  The chateau spans the Cher River and is beautiful.  

We then returned to Amboise for lunch and a visit to the Chateau d’Amboise and the Chateau du Clos Luce.  Leonardo da Vinci spent his last 3 years in Amboise.  He lived at Clos Luce and is entombed in the chapel at the Chateau d’Amboise.

Linda with Leonardo

Leonardo's tomb

Chateau d'Amboise

Leonardo's last home

This evening we had a sort of farewell dinner with Sebastien.  Le canard était délicieux!

Saturday, July 22

Today is the last day of the AmaWaterways trip.  We started a visit to the Chateau de Chambord.  It was built as a hunting lodge by Francois I.  It is massive with 426 rooms. Among the interesting features were many fireplaces, lovely gardens and a double circular staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci. There was also a temporary modern art exhibit which maybe did not fit the theme.

Leonardo's double helix staircase

After the visit we were taken to the city of Blois.  There was a market going on and we stopped for lunch.  Then we visited the Chateau Royal de Blois.  Yet another interesting, beautiful chateau.

By the end of that visit I was in Royalty information overload.  So many kings, queens and mistresses!  But here are a couple of interesting tidbits.  One of the kings we heard about over and over again was Henri II who took a lance in the eye.  Another was Charles VIII who bumped his head and died.  Apparently those 2 were the inspiration for a couple of children’s stories.  Henri ii’s mother always warned him about playing with lances, constantly telling him “You’ll poke your eye out!”  A Christmas Story anyone?  Then there’s the popular kid’s song that originally went like this:

Eight little Charles’s jumping on the bed,

The eighth fell off and bumped his head,

Queen Anne called the doctor and the doctor said,

Sorry Queen, Charles VIII is dead!

We’re on the bus heading for Charles de Gaulle airport.  Tomorrow it’s off to Reykjavik and the start of the next part of the journey.  Goodbye to wine, hello to ice!