Day 199 - Honfluer - 167 to go

HONFLUER a place to captivate your heart

Near the mouth of the Seine - idyllic and a place that deserves more than three nights.

Just lovely - treat yourself and go to Honfluer one day in your life time.

Day 194 - Normandy Beaches - 172 to go

On the beaches of the D-Day Landings, Normandy

Day 191 - Bayeaux - 175 to go

Six photos of Bayeaux, Normandy France. 

Fields of poppies on the way to Normandy.

And on to Bayeaux and the river Aure.

Bayeaux is less than 10 kms from the English Channel and the river Aude runs towards the town, and as it does, it gains speed as it runs through the narrow channels.

Day 185 - Car Museum at Chattellerault - 181 to go.

Not that far from Chinon is one of the best car museums I've seen in France at Chattellerault. It has a fine collection of cars, motor bikes and bicycles.
Once again I've been slack and needed to catch up on my daily photos so I've posted eight to catch up and maybe one extra to give me some space.

Day 178 - Champigny-sur-Veude - 188 to go

On our way from Richelieu to Chinon, we stopped for a drink.

Champigny-sur-Veude was half way.

The Chapelle St Louis was a pleasant interlude to our drive.

Four photos for four days passed.

Day 174 - Fontevraud Abbey - 192 to go

Fontevraud Abbey - 12th century Abbey

If ever you stay in Chinon - take a drive to the Abbey

You won't be disappointed.

Fontevaud inspired my interest in;

The Plantagenets

Henry King II of England

Eleanor of Aquitaine

Richard the Lionheart

John Lackland

and Isabella of Angouleme

day 172 - Laneways of Saumur - 194 to go

Just a few hours - not long enough to enjoy the pleasures of Saumur.
Maybe next time.
We went to see the Cadre Noir.
That in itself was a pleasure.

Day 171 - Back Lanes of Saumur - 195 to go

Poking your camera around little streets
unearths a few hidden features.

Day 170 - The Gardens of Villandry - 196 to go.

I didn't realise how demanding a daily post would be, even though it was just a photo. I really don't know how many photos we have from five trips to France but surely it wouldn't be too hard to post one daily. However each one does bring back special memories. Currently we are still in the Loire during our 2008 trip, our first time to the region. In the short space of time while staying in Chinon we saw the Chateaux of Chenonceau, Usse and Villandry. I promise no more Chateau pictures from here on.

Day 169 - Villandry Hi-Tech - 197 to go.

Modern technology helps to keep the gardens of Villandry looking magnificent.

Day 168 - Villandry- 198 to go

We actually didn't enter the Chateau itself - the gardens were so awe inspiring - plus we'd already seen two other Chateaux beforehand.

How many Chateaux can you see in one day?

Day 166/167 - the Chenonceau Farm - 199 to go

In my last post I featured the little rose covered cottage at the Chenonceau Chateau farm.

Here's a close up and also a scene of the beautifully manicured lawns nearby.

I found the farm to be a hidden treasure compared to the actual Chateau, as magnificent as it was.

Day 165 - A little Chenonceau - 201 to go

Hidden away from sight
a little cottage at Chenonceau
shed its own little light
to those in the know
(apologies for my poor poetry)

Day 164 - Chateaux of the Loire Chenonceau - 202 to go

Chenonceau is one of those "have to see"Chateaux of the Loire". As you walk towards it, a feeling of opulence surrounds you.

The most popular photograph of Chenonceau would be of the arches across the river but I found the long passage above thos arches equally impressive. This is a place where balls and feasts were held and during WWII, the resistance would find a safe passage from the enemy.

 But most of all it was the kitchen that impressed my wife Sue.

Day 163 - Chateaux of the Loire - 203 to go

Usse

Day 162 - The things you see - 204 to go



Decoration on a building in Chinon

Day 161 - Chinon at Night - 205 to go

A night scene in Chinon 2008

Day 160 - Jean d'Arc - 206 to go

She lives on in Legend
The Maid of Orleans.
The statue of Jean d'Arc
overlooks the market place
in Chinon.

Day 159 - Vienne River - 207 to go

It's Spring on the Vienne
The old village of Chinon
overlooking the slow moving waters.

Day 158 - Boats on the Vienne - 208 to go

Boats on the Vienne River
At Chinon
on a spring afternoon.
2008

Days 153 to 157 - 209 to go

Bikes in France

Painted in the tricolours of France - seen at the Paris Metro

Cyclists in lycra - seen at Carcassonne

Remains of burnt out bike - seen at Oradour sur Glane

Gerard stands by his old bike in the Loire - Near Cher River

Bike hiding behind barrels at St Remy de Provence