Friday Trip Blogging

Day 2 - Driving tour of some Loire Valley castles

Our cute little Opel Meriva. Manual transmission, so I got to have some fun driving it.


Nuclear power plant seen on the road to Chambord.


Unfortunately back-lit pic of Chambord castle. It was a hunting lodge for nobility, thus all the chimneys for keeping warm during hunting season.


Looking up the middle of Chambord's famous double-helix staircase, rumored to be designed by Leonardo Da Vinci.


Chenonceau castle, spanning the Cher River.


Impressive fireplace mantel in one of Chenonceau's bedrooms.


The chapel of Amboise castle, overlooking the town.


Amboise castle from the front.


Villandry castle.


Hungry fish in Villandry's moat.


Funky, multi-colored chili peppers in the Villandry gardens.


View over a portion of Villandry's impressive gardens, the real attraction at the castle.


View of Azay-le-Rideau castle from outside the gate. We got there too late to get in. The castle has a cool moat that makes the castle look like it's floating on the water.


Ussé castle, also closed, but we were able to get a good shot from outside. This castle inspired the original Sleeping Beauty story.


I'll pick this up again on Monday. Have a great weekend!