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Chambord
Dramatic view spoilt by a marquee Thursday 4 June 2015
It's a glorious day to be in the Loire Valley. A clear blue sky, birds singing and a temperature to reach the low thirties. For a very brief moment we think of the single digit temperatures back in Alexandra, NZ.
We are staying about 10 kilometres from Chambord, one of the most visited chateaux in the Loire. There are chateaux around every corner so which one to choose. We chose Chambord as it was close, it is also one of the biggest in the Loire and it has some outstanding features. Arriving reasonably early we were able to park quite close under a tree. Ahead of us were tour groups from about ten buses. A large group of young school children arrived at the same time as us. Thank goodness it is early enough in the season to miss the big crowds.
Approaching the chateau you hear the sounds of cameras or are confronted by people taking either selfies or photos of partners. No one was going to photo bomb my pictures. For reasons known only to the organizers two large marquees were erected right in front of a fabulous photo shot made famous
Chambord
View from the rear, main visitor entrance by thousands of photographers. These marquees are being used for concerts through the summer. Surely they could have been placed elsewhere. Just have to resort to buying the postcard.
Once inside we started our tour at the famous double spiral staircase. One tour member took one flight the other member took the other. There were brief glimpses of each other as we climbed to the top. The design and architecture is incredible. With over 400 rooms one had to wonder how much it cost to furnish and heat. Francois I had it built as a hunting lodge and in 32 years only used it 72 times. We understand he brought the furniture with him each time he visited. The wagon train must have stretched from Chambord to Paris. The school children were not a bother and the group we encountered were well supervised. We noticed people in costume working with other groups of children. Life for the rich and famous in the 16th to 18th century must have been incredible. So much wealth at the expense of the poor. No wonder the people revolted and ended such an opulent life style.
We enjoyed our visit and marveled at
Chambord
Tour member walking the spiral staircase. the architecture. Driving back to our own little chateau through the forest we reflected on the assumed wealth and lifestyle and what has really changed today.
Later in the day we followed a recommended tour to some historic towns nearby. All had their chateau, church or abbey, narrow winding streets and cobbles. We took a brief walk around Beaugency , drove through very narrow cobbled streets of Meung sur Loire and stopped briefly in Talcy. By now the car's thermometer was reading 31 while moving and up to 37 parked in the sun. It was hot. Last week it was cold.
The cold beers in the fridge were a welcome sight when we finally arrived back at our little cottage. Tomorrow we have another adventure planned but will wait and see. The forecast is for afternoon thunder showers. The good thing about this trip is the flexibility.
We close with the pigeons landing noisily in the trees around us, or on the roof. We hope they soon get tired of their cooing. We have seen a squirrel or two jumping from tree to tree. Makes a difference to the possums that jump from tree to tree back
Chambord
View from the terrace home.
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