LOIRE VALLEY - Part 2

Boy, have I got some catching up to do.
We have not had any internet for over a week so I have lots to tell you about!

Firstly though. there's this photo.
On our journeys through these lovely chateaux we came upon a throne room and a throne which might have given me ideas above my station !!
Queen Helsie, do you think?!

The next chateau we visited was the famous Chenonceau which sits astride the Cher river.

This picturesque setting alone makes it very special.

During WWII the river Cher formed the border between occupied France and free France and this chateau built over the river played its part in many a transfer of freedom fighters of the Resistance in and out of German occupied territory.

It has lovely  manicured gardens on either side of the main entrance.

Amboise Chateau sits high above the pretty town of Amboise and is the final resting place of Leonardo da Vinci. Below there are spectacular views of the Loire river and the pretty bridges that span it as it winds its way through the fertile plains.

Next came Chateau Vilandry and the most fabuluous gardens we have seen.

These are the love gardens - each one depicts a certain type of love. Inside the hedges is filled with tulips

The gardens stretch out in front of you  divided by walkways lined with trees that have been lopped and which will grow into a huge hedge as the spring progresses.( perhaps Lime trees?)

There is a whole section devoted to beds of different coloured vegetables.

I could go on and on with these lovely chateaux. The Loire Valley has hundreds of them for tiurists to visit, all clustered round the pretty Loire, Cher and Indre rivers.

Next week we move on to Burgundy amongst the grape vines !

Cheers.