loire valley

I have been living in the Loire Valley for over 5 years now, and I still find it amazing just how many little gems I find almost every week. A few friends and I created a group called the Loire Winos, of course, and we try and get out wine tasting at least once a month to try different regions...

This trip report was original posted on my blog. In July 2010 we did a short trip to France – five nights in the Loire Valley followed by four nights in Normandy. We are currently living in England, so flew from Bristol Airport to Paris, picked up a rental car and drove four hours to the Loire...

Bagneux Dolmen, this dolmen is in the back yard of a building with a cafe.

Dolman de la Madeleine, Neolithic dolman near Gennes. It is as big as a building. There are the remains of a bakery inside.

Villandry, beautiful gardens.

Villandry, this Chateau is famous for its gardens.

Bourgueil, stopped on a rainy morning for coffee and cake - a specialty cake for this area (can't remember the name).

Angers, a medieval timber-framed building in Angers.

Angers, close up of some of the carvings.

Chateau de Chenonceau, Chenonceau is one of the most popular Chateau in the area. It is built over the river.

Amboise, Leonardo's house in Amboise, a 15 minute walk from the Chateau. It was packed solid with tourists the day we visited.

Amboise, there are houses built into the stone hillsides in this area.

Amboise Chateau, St Hubert Chapel, built in the late 1400s, on the grounds of the Amboise Chateau.

Amboise Chateau, Leonardo da Vinci lived near the Chateau and died in 1519. He was buried in St Hubert Chapel.

Amboise Chateau, our first chateau. It was not very crowded. Beautiful buildings and grounds.

Amboise Chateau, looking from the Chateau grounds to the streets below. The area around the Chateau is very touristy.

Fontevraud Abbey, the graves of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, with their son Richard the Lionheart.

Fontevraud Abbey, historic abbey built in the 12th century.

Chinon is a small town with a pretty medieval center.

Sunday lunch outside in the square in Chinon.