Five chateaux and counting

We are now on chateau number five - there are so many in this area that we are spoilt for choice.  We drove from Gien to Chambord, a huge, very impressive moated chateau in

a vast area of parkland.  Apart from paying to park the van, you could wander around outside for free, lovely on a sunny day.

Chambord

 We then spent a couple of days at Amboise, in a campsite on an island in the Loire.  Amboise is a pretty town, the chateau there is more like a castle than a country house, but in a stunning location.

Amboise

 A highlight here was going to see the house where Leonardo da Vinci lived for the last three years of his life. It is a lovely house and there are beautiful models of his inventions in the house and garden, which were fascinating - we spent most of the day there.  Our next chateau was Chenonceau, not far from Amboise.  This one you had to pay to see anything at all, as the building isn't visible from the car park, but it was worth it, a really beautiful setting for a slightly more homely castle.  It had been home to Henry 2nd's favourite lady as it said in the guide book, and later his widow, who both made stunning gardens.  We have now diverted south a little to visit  a  town called Loches, which is probably my favourite stop so far, despite being some way from the Loire. We were lucky to be here on market day so this morning enjoyed buying cheese and special cake.  The weather has been superb for a few days, hot and sunny, no clouds in sight.  Long may it last!

Chenonceau