Family Travels
Loire Valley
The Loire River Valley is home to over 1000
castles, palaces and hunting lodges.
Walk into fairytale heaven.  

Each castle out-shines the next.  Visit one for the
rooftop views...another for the glorious inside
furnishings...another for its famous gardens.  Plan
your days with variety.

Here are some of the highlights.  
We spent five nights here...our favorite..our stay
in the B&B chateau in our very own cottage
Date Last Visited -- 2009
Chateau de
Chambord
The granddaddy of all chateaux--possibly
Europe's finest
A Royal hunting lodge with 440 rooms.
What makes this so impressive are the rooftop
views as your walk amongst the spires and
chimneys.

Also a great spot for a picnic
Chateau Cheverny
Known for its lavishly furnished interior.
Built from 1604-1634..so spared during
the French Revolution
Chateau Amboise
Visit this Castle during the evening as
the locals put on a fabulous Sound and
Light Show as they re-enact moments
of historical importance.  Ask at the TI
for more information
Chateau Chenonceaux
This castle is dramatic and
beautiful.  
The castle's two story
extension over the bridge
makes this a show stopper.
The inside is nice..but
don't miss this view.  
Exit the great hall...get a
ticket to re-entry.
Fourgeres-sur-Bievre
Worth a quick stop...great
castle construction exhibits.
Just how did they build these
castles anyway.

Great picnic spot out front near
the water
Chateau de Clos-Luce
King Francois I gifted Leonardo da Vinci this
Chateau to entice him to his court.  Now full of
replicas of his inventions...it is memorable
place to learn about this great man
Come play and explore
Chateau Usse
We took a rather long drive to find this one.
from the outside....so we had a picnic.
Chateau
Chaumont - sur- Loire
Come for the Festival of
Gardens.  Each year 25
elaborate gardens are newly
landscaped with themes.

You will love it
Villandry
Totally castled out...we took a quick
and headed out for dinner.

Don't miss this Dining Experience of
a Lifetime
You are in Wine Country.
We saw signs for wine tasting and
stop at this privately owned chateau
for a little sip or two
The Surrounding Area
What to do When You have had Enough Castles
Amboise is Chinon on the
Vienne River.  The town is
topped with another castle (that
we skipped) We spent some time
shopping and wine tasting
Chinon
Blois
This small town offers a little taste of
the metropolitan.
Come for the shopping and strolling
of the streets.
We skipped the castle but loved the
little park in front of the church
Amboise
Fun Pedestrian friendly little town.
Don't miss the Market Day on
Sunday at the river.
Don't miss the Sound and Light
Show in the evening in the backdrop
of the castle.
Come stroll the streets and find
something good to eat.
In the Shade of the Castle almost
opposite the entry way
L'Epicerie
46 place Michel Debre

Serves plain, traditional food
Good cheap eats
La Cave Voltaire
Wine Tasting
Near place de General
du Gaulle
on 13 rue Voltaire
Fun, easy...no pressure
to buy
This rustic farmhouse complete
with pigs, goats and bunnies...will
delight you with a gourmet meal
you will never forget.

Get to Villandry and ask directions.
Find it...you won't regret it!

Etape Gourmande
Domaine da la Giraudiere

Tel. 02.47.50.08.60
info@letapegourmande.com
Come play with Da
Vinci's inventions
Definitely one of our favorite B&B's
of all time.
This is THE place to stay

the estate..but the true treasure is a
small gardener's cottage...with
kitchen, living room, AC bedrooms
So Charming

Domaine des
Bidaudieres Chambres

Tel. 02.47.30.53.79
www.bidaudieres.com