Frazé and Nogent le Rotrou

A very slow start to the morning, at least we thought so until we saw, or didn't see, some of our French neighbours. It seems to us that Monday mornings are a slow time in France. We did some housework before setting off for the region  of Le Perche, and the day held some surprises. 

Our first surprise was that TomTom decided to play games with us and not take the logical route to Nogent-le-Rotrou. We were a little off the main route before we had realised but little did we know that he had devised a cunning plan which led us to the unheralded but delightful village of Frazé.

As we approached the village we had thoughts of stopping soon for a coffee and as we rounded the corner near the church a whole new vista opened up to us - most unexpected. Truly a beaux detour but not in any of the literature. We quickly pulled over, parked and enjoyed a prolonged coffee break. A compulsory wander around the village ensued.

The remains of the medieval fortifications on the left with the Renaissance Chateau to the fore. 

View of the original fortifications. 

Main moated entrance to the medieval chateau. 

The Château of Frazé is the central feature of this small town and a fine example of military architecture that combines defences and beauty, with  entrance gate flanked by two towers looking down onto the moat. Also, the 11th century church, currently under renovations, had some interesting features to interest the visitor. The rest of the village had maintained its medieval feel with many restored timber-framed houses. Frazé,  very much worth the stop and wander!

Figures on the lintels looking down on you entering the church. 
Other ancient sculptures standing guide on the door frames. 
Fascinated by the different animal sculptures adorning the gable section of  church. 

We continued on through Le Perche region, which is know for its agriculture, and in particular the breeding of a large powerful horse known as the Percherons. An interesting fact in the history of Le Perche is that it had high levels of emmigration,  and in partucular,  to Canada. It is thought that all French Canadians have some ancestors from a village in Le Perche. 

We arrived in Nogent-Le-Rotrou at lunchtime and decided to join the French for lunch - a lovely meal at the local restaurant. We later took a wander - and guess what, another chateau! Yes, we took a few photos if it too - just for you!

Another monster fortification:

The town was quite large and had a great central area. 

Later in the afternoon we traveled a few kilometres north to the village of Bretoncelles for our overnight stop. A lovely spot by the creek with a couple of French vans joining us. 

In our walk around the village this evening we came across many old fashion signs and we thought a little collage of these would be interesting. 

Can you work out the businesses?

And some other bits and pieces from Bretoncelles:

Amboise and Chaumont-sur-Loire

We continued our Loire travels again today with our main visits being to Amboise and Chaumont-sur-Loire. We started the day in Angé, a very pleasant  village catering for a number of motorhomes each evening - very good for business. Met a Brit who was wasting no time in France - he just drives straight to his Portugal property from Calais - never seems to explore anything else on the way! Not like some!

We made our way to Amboise this morning with little in mind after yesterday's attack on the senses. Amboise  is another of the very scenic towns along the Loire with an imposing chateau overlooking the village. It was the royal residence of France back in the day (late 15th and early 16th centuries), with a direct link to Leonardo da Vinci who happens to be buried in the grounds of the castle.

The first duty of the day was to visit the market which was set up along the river embankment. This had to be one of the better weekly markets we have come across - mostly rubbish at many of them but today's market had a wide range of quality items - along with the regular fruit, veg and meats. The range of cheese across the market indicated just how popular cheeses are with the French. One supplier was just dealing with brebis (sheep) and chèvre (goats) cheeses - and they were delicious. 

Amboise had a number of galleries around the town all welcoming English speaking folk. We think they were  mainly interested in the American visitors who make the day trips from Paris to the Loire towns. Some of the art work was outstanding. 

We were fascinated with the "three" ladies enjoying lunch in Amboise. The lady on the left was waiting patiently to be served her own "pâté du canard" from the tray. 

Kelly, the Bichon.

We later drove on to Chaumont -sur-Loire where we had lunch by the river - a very popular place judging by the numbers stopping and picnicking there. Later we took a long walk to the chateau - another perched up on a rocky outcrop overlooking the river. The history of the chateau here links into the story of the chateau at Chenonceau. Château de Chaumont--sur-Loire was a royal residence with Catherine de Medici occupying it on the death of her husband,  the king. On his death she insisted that the dead king's mistress move from her chateau at Chenonceau to make way for Catherine. Part of the deal was that Diane de Potiere (the mistress) was to take over the Chaumont chateau. Aah, the French!

After another chateauring day, we moved on to the lovely and quite village of Chouzy-sur-Cisse for our overnight stop by a small lake. 

Château de Chenonceau

What a spectacular day!  Our visit to Château de Chenonceau was quite outstanding, expecting a very slick presentation and, perhaps, being a little sceptical of the marketing surrounding this château, we were very impressed with the whole experience of the visit. 

Château de Chenonceau is one of the most visited chateaux of the Loire. With over four thousand visitors a day we thought getting there early would see us clear of the crowd! It was a good plan because as the day advanced so did the visitors. Even with these numbers the streamlined organisation enable people to enjoy and not being on top of each other as you might expect. 

Château de Chenonceau is consisdered the ladies cháteau because the major contributors to its history and development were mainly women. From the seventeen year old wife of a king, Catherine de'Medici,  a mistress to the king, an enlightenment woman in Louise Dupin who saved Château de Chenonceau during the revolution, to Simone Menier who turned the cháteau into a hospital during WWI, each made major contributions to the what we see here today. 

Built on the site of an old fortified castle in the 16th century, Château de Chenonceau spans the River Cher a dividing line between occupied France and Vichy France in WWII. 

A very pleasant walk to the château. 

The Marques Tower in the foreground - what is left of the original fortified castle. 

Another angle - can't get bored with these pics. 

As you walked around the cháteau the sumptuous furnishings and decorations depicted the lifestyle of the very rich and powerful. 

Portrait of King Louis XV. 

"The Three Graces" in Francis I drawing room. 

Catherine de'Medici's bedroom with Flanders tapestries and a painting,"The Education of Live" by Correggio. 

The Gallery. 

The gardens tell us a great deal about the development of the château with stunning layouts and balanced symmetry. 

We later traveled a few km along the Cher to the village of Ange for our overnight stop. 

Château de Chenonceau - from the advertising brochure!