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Published: July 13th 2013
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As we had a shorter biking day today and no chateaux that we wanted to visit along the way, we stayed in Chinon for a good look around and to do a tour of the winery cave in Chinon first.
We did the Chinon walk (everyone seems to wander) and looked more slowly at the ancient streets and houses that we had toured yesterday. We took the lift up the hill to the fortress but opted not to go in and look. It was first built in 954 and added to over the years by counts or kings. It fell almost into total ruin but in the 1800's onwards it has been recreated and it is still ongoing.
We walked downhill on the rough cobbled street and back into the medieval part of the town where we waited until 11am for a tour of the cave. We were first shown a film of the vineyards of the Chinon area and then taken into the very cool caves, mostly unchanged since the 16th century, used for storing wine directly under the castle. They represent a place of pilgrimage for the admirers of Rabelias who have a Guild (look it up)
as well as a wine storage area for the nobility. I can't remember how many caves or tunnels there are but over 100. Now there are many local people who have their own cave there.
We bought ourselves some lunch and then it was back on the bikes for the last day. Although it was cooler it was still in the high 20's but with some wind to help. Our ride took us along the bottom end of the Vienne River to the confluence with the Loire to Candes St Martin where we visited the St Martin church and then went steeply uphill to Montsoreau. When I say steep, I mean REALLY steep, like 45 degrees!! It was impossible for anyone to bike up. However, after pushing our bikes up there was a very old chapel to visit from the 11th century and from here we were able to look out over the Loire Valley and far into the distance.
The rest of the journey was through lovely vineyards and rolling countryside until we reached Saumur which has, yes, a Chateau! On this entrance to Saumur you are looking down over the Loire River still which is probably
why we were given this route to follow. After the usual shambles of trying to find our hotel from the map and instructions we arrived at the Kyriad Hotel at 5pm. Mission accomplished. We had finished the journey.
It has been a good bike trip done during a heat wave here so no doubt it would have been much more enjoyable at a much better temperature. We've been through lovely countryside, interesting towns and visited all sorts of very old buildings. We've had our history fix. We're also fitter and somewhat browner. Now, we can have a rest. 😊
Our day was completed by eating out in the large square in Saumur where 100's also drank and dined.
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