First Day in the Loire

---

Left an overcast Les Eyzies in the early morning, setting out on a day of something like 4 train transfers. First up to Perigueux, then over to Liborne, until finally taking the fast TGV up to St. Pierre des Corps, and then the regional train 10 minutes to Amboise. Here by around 3:30ish. Nice and easy, plenty of time for transfers.

I'm here in the Loire because this is the part of France where all of the best chateaux are located. They stretch up and down the Loire from here in Amboise up to Blois, and then also in the surrounding countryside. Past kings of France have at various time lived here, and their nobles, to be close to court, built grand mansions in the same area. Another cool fact about Amboise is that this is where Leonardo da Vinci came to basically retire, invited to Amboise by Francois I in something like 1515 or so. I actually saw the tomb today where da Vinci is supposedly buried, and his house is literally just down the street from my B&B.

And speaking of this B&B, it is an awesome place - another room in a nice older woman's house. I have this huge room, and she lets me use her back-yard and patio, and there's also a big, hairy dog that seems to like me. I'll take some photos before I leave.

Tomorrow I've rented a bike to head down an hour or so to the greatest chateau in the area, Chenonceau. It's funny, I told the guy my sad story about Les Eyzies, and he went to great lengths to assure me that his tires would never explode, and that if for some reason they did, he would drive out and pick me up wherever I was. He gave me his number and everything. Nice guy, and hoping my luck holds.

---

Photos

Entrance to Royal Chateau at Amboise
That chapel right above is actually where da Vinci is buried.

Summer Blooms
At the chateau.

Da Vinci Chapel
No one is absolutely certain that he's buried here - but most people like to think he is.

Grave Marker
Over in that corner is the da Vinci marker.

Good View of Chateau
Perched on a cliff overlooking Amboise and the Loire.

Looking Down on Loire
From chateau ramparts. The Loire is the longest river in France, and the only one that's still completely untamed by dams.

Fireplace in Chateau
Just liked it.

Chateau Garden
Perfectly maintained.

Church of St. Denis
Just liked this place. On a hill opposite the chateau. An old Romanesque place built on the remains of a Roman temple.