In my continuing saga hope you notice, to show you some additional wonderful spots of my belle France and my family in this family blog let me bring you to the Centre-Val de Loire region, This is as France goes a very young area created in 2015 as before it was called simply the Centre. It includes three historic provinces such as Berry, Orléanais, and Touraine with at the extreme south the Bourbonnais. It is partially covered by the natural region of the valley of the Loire. The old provinces had their old department that continues such as Orléanais with Loiret, Eure et Loir and Loir et Cher, then Berry with Cher and Indre, and finally Touraine with Indre et Loire. It is here that the famous Castles of the Loire came to be known by all as the valley of the kings, A wonderful area pretty much average of 3 hrs from my house, Today, it includes six departments such as Cher, Eure-et-Loir, Indre, Indre-et-Loire, Loir-et-Cher and Loiret. Tours is the bigger City but the capital is Orléans , Let me show you some personal curiosities of the Centre Val de Loire region !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
Once in Blois do not missed stopping by 5 Rue de la Voûte du Château (see pic) just next to the castle and this is the Office de Tourisme de Blois Chambord-Val de Loire or tourist office.
Then, go over the Jardins de l’Évêché , a public garden attached to the City/town hall of Blois. Today’s garden closely resembles the original, as evidenced by a plan dating from 1793. Unique point of view on the typical landscapes of the Loire Valley, The gardens of the Jardins de l’Evêché were redesigned in 1991 to accommodate a rose garden, a garden of the senses and an aromatic garden. The rose garden of the terraces of the Bishopric is located on the lower terrace: it offers bright colors and multiple scents from spring. The garden of the senses is a semi-enclosed place overlooking the old town and the Loire. It is located in the park, behind the current City/town hall at the impasse Saint Jean. Very nice stop indeed !
Of course, the Royal Château de Blois has been with the history of France and Europe for hundreds of years and many international events. It was the favorite residence of the kings of France in the Renaissance. Located in the heart of the city of Blois, on the right bank of the Loire river, the Royal Castle of Blois gathers around the same courtyard a panorama of the French architecture of the Middle Ages in the classical period which makes it a key building for the understanding of the evolution of the architecture over the centuries. Of course, this is a must visit !
Going over the Loire river you come to another beauty, this is Amboise, Here do not missed the Beffroi or tour d’horloge ,dates from the 15C ,A wonderful building as you walk from the entrance to the castle down a pedestrian street Rue nationale Wonderful walk !
The main is the Royal Chateau or castle of Amboise, you first arrive at the terrases from the 15-16C as it was the first castle to introduce the Italian renaissance style in France. Here in the terraces you see the Chapelle Saint Hubert, dedicated to the patrons saint of hunters built under king Louis XI and finished by king Charles VIII, it is the resting place of the genius Leonardo da Vinci from May 2,1519.
On the Île d’Or or golden island there was a first bridge built over the Loire river in Amboise from 1115 , and destroyed sinisterily in 1789, the start of the French revolution, Before, there was a wooden bridge in wood built in 504 by Alaric and Clovis. Then, today you ride on a magnificent bridge call Pont Du Maréchal Leclerc built in 1992,great for a picture.
Moving on to hugely wonderful Chambord and we as in many trips ,also, visit during Christmas a magical one at the Château de Chambord The external walkways of the castle are adorned with a hundred illuminated fir trees, which amaze the little ones and families all together. The interior is also dressed in majestic fir trees and a sumptuous decoration. From the ground floor to the first floor, through the entrance porch and the chapel, the visit path is sublimated by the magic of Christmas. The lighting of the French gardens and highlight of the north facade of the castle. A must to visit any time but especially at Christmas !!
We had a memorable lunch in Chartres, I was there with my boys and my father in wheelchair and the service, ambiance, food was great, This is the Créperie des 3 Lys by Porte Guillaume ! This is Breton specialties of course; still nice welcome and great food! Its half-timbering and beams undoubtedly give it character; the decoration and the subdued lights take care of the rest … A warm welcome and great food, (See post)
You come over to the capital City as told, this is architecturally and historically stunning Orléans, which needs to be visited more, One monument not to miss is the wonderful Hôtel Groslot built around 1550-1555, a mansion built for Jacques Groslot, bailiff of Orléans. The kings Charles IX, Henri III,and Henri IV stayed here !The house, also called the Great House of the Steps, House of the Governor, or the Stewardship was successively a mansion and then the city/town Hall of Orléans since 1790 , and today welcomes the celebration of the weddings. It is splendidly richly decorated.
We take you along the nice historical pont George V , the oldest bridge in the city, built in 1751-1763 and runs for about 1,2 kms. The bridge, known as the Royal Bridge, then the National Bridge and, during WWI, the George-V Bridge, in honor of the King of England George V, is a masonry arched bridge crossing the Loire river The total length 325 meters between abutments, or 339 meters, including the thickness of the abutments. The width about 15 meters from head to head,
The Jardin des Plantes of Orléans is a pleasure and discovery garden of 3.5 hectares. It is also the place of plant experimentation of the City of Orléans. In 1640, on the right bank of the Loire, east of the current Pont Joffre, the Society of Apothecaries created a botanical garden to cultivate medicinal plants. In 1834, the garden was transferred to its current location. A very nice walk and very educational indeed.
Last but not least we have the Place Sainte Croix, which by the name will tell you is where the cathedral of same name is located (see post) Around there now is the Music Conservatory, and the corner with rue Jeanne d’Arc you have the wonderful Café Lutécia. A fountain adorns each side of the square, The square was adjoining the old Hôtel Dieu as the forecourt of the Cathedral was greatly reduced by the presence of the imposing Hôtel Dieu which was demolished in 1846, thus freeing up space.
There you go folks, this is a huge wonderful region that we have combed a lot but still plenty more to see , a lifetime of goodies and gorgeous monuments, I encourage you to see my many posts on it in my blog, Again, hope you enjoy the post on my personal curiosities of the Centre Val de Loire region as I
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 