Blogs from Blois, Centre, France, Europe

"Tänään mennään Tintin linnaan!" Cheverny on kaunis ja hyvin säilynyt linna, jossa omistajaperhe edelleen asustelee. Linna on vain pari kertaa käynyt suvun ulkopuolin omistajan hallussa, muutoin sama suku on pitänyt linnaa hallussaan. Ranskan vallankumouksen aikanakaan linnalle ei tullut vahinkoa, koska omistaja oli jotenkin arvostettu vallankumouksellisten piireissä. 1600-luvun sisustus on säilytetty todella kauniisti! Näkemistäni linnoista Cheverny on ehdoton suosikkini, koska se on niin kaunis ja jopa vähän kodikas. Cheverny oli myös Tintin piirtäjän Hergen suosikkilinna. Siksi Herge on käyttänyt Chevernyä esikuvana Tintti-sarjakuvien Moulinsartin linnalle. Cheverny on nähnyt markkinaraon ja erottuu siis alueen kymmenistä linnoista sillä, että ulkorakennuksessa on Tintti-näyttely, johon on rekonstruoitu kohtauksia Tintin seikkailuista Moulinsartissa. Roland ja Léna olivat aivan ... read more

Depuis Tours nous nous posons la question de visiter le château d'Amboise ou celui de Blois. Finalement suite aux conseils de plusieurs personnes, il vaut mieux aller à Blois et en plus il doit y avoir un camping sympa, qui nous y mènera facilement. La veille nous traversons la ville pour mieux nous situer et nous promettons le lendemain d'y venir en train, depuis Muides sur Loire où nous nous installons pour la nuit. Petite aventure au matin.... Nos voisins de parcelle, des suisses de Berne se lèvent en même temps que nous et nous demandent si nous n'avons rien... ??? ils ont été visités durant la nuit, de même que leurs voisins de Zurich... la fenêtre qui se trouve côté table de salle à manger a été fracturée... Rien entendu, rien vu... ouf nous n'avons ... read more

Today was to be a big day but I didn't bargain on how big since we were to bike just over 70kms which is more than I've ever done. It was going to be hot too, but I didn't bargain on how hot! It was 35 degrees out at the furthest part of our biking so we were at the point of no return. We left Beaugency at around 9am and biked along the river and flat grain farms mostly as well as small quaint villages that appeared unaltered for years. I expected this trip to be along busy roads with many people but it has been the opposite. The biking path is part of the Loire a Velo so much of it is on a superb surface (except for later). It is truly very picturesque ... read more

The only way to see France is by camper van and if you don’t have accommodation on wheels a tent is possibly the next best option as long as you go by car or bike. Campsites are littered throughout France and you don’t have to travel very far before a sign appears beside the road for yet another campsite. This gives you the freedom to observe aspects of France a plane flight or a euro rail ticket doesn’t allow for as they keep you within the confines of a certain area which regrettably results in missed opportunities. It is the delightful little villages which are obscured from view of the big hustle and bustle that is the cosmopolitan cities which make up the essence of French culture and if you miss this, well, in my opinion ... read more

today i had a choice in rides, a 45km one or a 75km ride. so being the sucker i am i went for the longer ride as you got to see more splendid Chateau's and the biggest one, Chambord. so i started on my way at 9am and went through to Montrichard then Bourre, Thenay, Phages, Feings then Cheverny. i arrived in Cheverney around 11ish. i went and had a look at the chateau and grounds. i spent about 1 hour there looking and admiring the arcitecture and beauty. i then carried on my merry way - next stop Chateau Chambord. to get there went through lots farming areas and woods which sort of reminded me a wee bit of athers pass area. after biking another 20kms i ended up on the outskirts of the grrounds ... read more