We returned home last night from our WONDERFUL getaway to the Loire valley to discover that for some inexplicable reason, our Internet service has been cut over the weekend and is still not restored. I am only able to blog this by the grace of our next-door neighbors who allowed us to patch into their home network.
So here is the "short version" of our weekend. Longer details and wonderful pix to follow as soon as I can spare the bandwidth.
Weekend was supposed to be rainy and snowy all the time. It wasn't. Miraculously blessed with sunshine and blue skies at precise moments where needed to tour chateau gardens. At EVERY chateau we visited.
I DROVE A CAR. In Europe. For the first time. And didn't damage the car, any pedestrians, stray cats or the many cyclists who were clearly in training for the next Tour de France.
Favorite discovery at a chateau: the amazing frothy architecture at Chambord. When you're standing on the top floor terraces getting a close-up view of all the spires, staircases and chimneys, it's like looking at a fancy French pastry.
Franco-American trivia point that Georges did not know: that the Chambord liqueur that many Americans love and think is SOOOO French is something most French people have never heard of, and I'm not even sure you can buy it in liquor stores in France. The target market is outside of France. Their web site claims it was "inspired by" a recipe that dates back to the 17th century and Louis Quatorze, and that it's made "on the premises of a traditional Loire Valley chateau south of Paris" (implying that it's made AT Chambord, when it's really not). Yet you can buy a bottle in the gift shop at the famous chateau. I bought one just so Georges could try some, and to have some around for visitors from home. Or to drizzle on some cheesecake because it's seriously good that way. But isn't it interesting how marketers can completely bamboozle the buying public? The Chambord name has been licensed to many products over the years, including cars and coffee pots. I guess the idea is: Voila! Let's make it sound elegant and French, and then people will buy it. And so we do. (If you have seen Chambord sold elsewhere in France, leave a comment... I'd be curious about that.)
The region is home to many troglodyte caves, some of which you can tour. There is also an aquarium and a tourist attraction where they have recreated all the most famous Loire chateaux in miniature. We ran out of time for those, but maybe on the next trip.
The local Chinon wine is quite excellent. As was our Easter night dinner at L'Epicerie in Amboise, located at the foot of the town's chateau. You will probably need a reservation especially during weekends and holidays (we did), but we got a gourmand 4-course meal and great service with wine (and tip included) for 36 euros each. Can't beat that!
Leonardo daVinci totally rocks. Second time I visited his last home, and I enjoyed it as much as the first time. The man was just plain freaking brilliant.
And sometimes you have to skip the tourist stuff, the great architecture and the history lessons, and just snuggle up alone together in your cozy hotel room with the sound of the rain on the roof, and tune out the world. There's nothing better.
Not even finding out that French kings have chosen salamanders and porcupines as their official royal logos.