Europe, with an Arctic cruise, a Balkan tour and bits of France and Malta

[RooFlyer]

There are a lot of tapestries throughout the chateau.

King David, 16th century, Brussels





'Life of Samson', 16th century, Flanders





Diane de Poitiers room ...



Louis XIV, 1659



Triumph of Sept Vertus 16th century Brussels

 

[RooFlyer]

Time to return to San Souci. It was another day 34-36 degrees and I had again arranged dinner there (its not close to anything, so eating there is convenient and delicious!

This shows where the B&B is - in a tiny, tiny village surrounded mainly by wheat fields and sunflowers, right in front of San Souci, unfortunately not yet flowering.





The wines are local, Touraine, from a little winery nearby





Bien. Sunflowers in the mid-ground. Imagine them in flower.



An amazing display of aircraft contrails; all the guests were 'admiring' them.





Main was beef skewers



You wouldn't begrudge me a desert, would you - with all that chateau-ing? Grand macaron maison de jour and home made pistachio ice cream that really tasted of pistachios!



Brekky. The view



Blueberry waffles and cream ....

 

[FlyingFiona]

This is one of three levels spanning the river

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At the other end is a drawbridge and path to the other river bank.

There is so much to love about this château but perhaps the most interesting role it has played in history was as a major escape route during WWII. The river was the border between occupied and free France and so the gallery bridge was used to help people flee from the naz_s.

 

[TheRealTMA]

The Château de Chenonceau is the closest chateau to San Souci, abt 10 mins drive. Its built on a bridge across the river Cher.

Here's a pic from Wikipedia, linked to above.

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A bit 'a history:







Entrance

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The place gets 800,000 visitors a year - over 2,000 per day and it felt like it.

Entrance way

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This is one of three levels spanning the river

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At the other end is a drawbridge and path to the other river bank.

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Chenonceau is probably my favourite Château!

 

[VPS]

Chenonceau is probably my favourite Château!

It's interesting I did love it but Villandry gardens were magnificent and Cheverney was delightful

 

[TheRealTMA]

It's interesting I did love it but Villandry gardens were magnificent and Cheverney was delightful

Nit been to Cheverney. For gardens, while not on the chateau route, difficult to beat Monet’s Giverny.

 

[RooFlyer]

For gardens, while not on the chateau route, difficult to beat Monet’s Giverny.

Given my limited time, I avoided all the châteaux which are more known for gardens.

 

[RooFlyer]

On my final full day, I took a loop out to the west to see the Fontevraud Abbey and Royal Tombs and a couple of chateaux recommended by my B&B hosts: Châteaux de Brézé and d'Azay-le-Rideau.



I thought I might include the chateau at Samur, but the traffic was crazy and Google couldn't lead me to parking after a loop and a half, so I made do with this, when stationary on the bridge. Pity not to visit, but a lot to do today.





Next, Château de Brézé and I'm so glad I went; certainly some unique features, including an "underground chateau" and "one of Europe's largest underground fortresses" (their words), so what's not to like? Its still owned and half-occupied by descendants (although not of the very original owners!!!)

https://www.chateaudebreze.com/castle-france-loire-saumur.html

From the front, it just looks the usual:



But then you cross the deep dry moat and get an idea of what's to come.



There are about 3km of tunnels and even living places, a bakery, winery etc probably dating from the Vikings (9-11 centuries), certainly recoded in 1060.

You first pass into the central courtyard








And entry into the chateau, where you traverse some galleries and rooms - I didn't take any pictures!



Then down into the dephs we go.