Wednesday 5 Sept 2018 – Orleans to Blois

We spent the day walking to the high points of Orleans Museums - Joan of Arc, Fine Arts and Anthropology. Then took a late afternoon train to Blois for the start of our bike trip. Our bikes were delivered to our very small B&B, La Masion du Carroir. Our innkeeper had limited English, but we got by.

Thursday 6 Sept 2018 Blois loop to Chateau Chambord

We started at the bike shop for some adjustments then found our way out of town on the way to Chambord – 25 miles round trip. Most of the ride was on well-marked bike paths but having the route on the Garmin made navigating less stressful. It took us through forests and vineyards. Rain threatened, but it ended up sunny for most of the day.

On the way to Chambord

The chateau was spectacular – the architecture, the massive size, the beautiful grounds. These people had money! The route back to Blois was along the Loire.

Chambord

Chambord detail

Friday 7 Sept 2018 Blois to Amboise

Along the Loire and through countryside with vineyards. Visited Leonardo De Vinci’s house, Clos Luce, in Amboise – the place he spent his final years. Stay at Manoir du Parc in Amboise – our best hotel so far. The rooms were big. There was a nice garden for happy hour.

De Vinci House

His workshop

Saturday 8 Sept 2018 – Loop to Chateau Chenonceau

Sunset on the Loire in Amboise

This is the chateau built across a river, the River Cher. It was spectacular, but in a different way from Chambord. This one was not nearly as grandiose from the outside, aside from being built across a river, but had much better appointed and grand living quarters. The weather was bright and sunny with the temperature peaking at a still comfortable 86.

Chenonceau

A mushroom barn in the woods on the way back