It took the better part of a day to fly from Budapest to Paris. The Ryanair experience was much better this time, Budapest airport being more organized than in Bordeaux. We spent the night near the Montparnesse train station, not a great neighborhood, but for one night who cares. We did come across this apartment complex which I couldn’t stop looking at. So many windows and such a large flat industrial look.
The train ride to Tours is only about one hour 15. Not much to look at out the window. Arriving on a Monday reminded us of rural France. So quiet. So many businesses closed. It gave the impression of being much smaller than it is. Post Monday and wandering around gave us an idea of the vibrant and lively city of over half a million that it is.
Our apartment overlooks a quite lively street.
Here’s a photo from the old town area which was PACKED with fans watching on any available tv.
We spent the day yesterday at Chateau Chenonceau on the Cher River.
Catherine de Medici and Henry II lived here along with Henry’s true love Diane de Poitiers. Diane had the bridge built, those arches you see crossing the river, for access to hunting grounds. When Henry died, Catherine booted Diane out. She then had the upper levels of the bridge built.
Aside from the formal garden in the photo above, there’s also a very large floral, vegetable, and herb garden. The stunning flower arrangements throughout the Chateau are all created in another building on the premises.
We arrived around 9:30 and were ready to leave by around 3. Then we discovered that there wasn’t a train until 6. Thank goodness for large grounds! We also wandered to the quaint town of Chenonceau and visited the church and the tabac. Not much happening in Chenonceau.
Chenonceau will likely be the one Chateau we visit, because really, how many can one take in? Chateau Chambord is the great big splashy one in the Loire Valley. We opted against it because it is so big. Chenonceau was big enough. Also it had too many bedrooms! I can only imagine how many Chambord would have. Though it is beautiful.
Shared Illusions 
Paula –
If you built a replica of Chambord in Albuquerque, Charlie and you could have a few thousand of your closest friends over any time!
Great photos!
Are you having any cognitive dissonance going from a walking/rural/pilgrim experience to major sightseeing? I didn’t have too much of a problem, but Mary found it very jarring in 2021 when we left the camino to sightsee in Portugal.
All the best,
Bruce
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Yes. Last year and this year both, I find I miss the experience terribly. I sometimes feel I could just walk and walk. I also enjoy engaging with people, speaking French, and connecting with others even if just for a short time. I miss the small towns, which is why we’ve enjoyed leaving Tours on Wednesday and again today. On the other hand, I do enjoy experiencing other places. I loved being in Biarritz, without missing the Chemin much. Maybe because my back was still tender and oceanside (and being in the ocean) fills me up. At any rate, I take touring travel as I do pilgrim travel – one day at a time, looking ahead only as necessary to secure lodging. Well, with touring, also deciding what to see. And when we have small apartments, it’s nice to have a place to hang and not have to rush out. We are looking forward to being home.
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Paula,
Again we get to come along with you and Charlie thanks to great posts like this. The Mouchette has that industrial look in sharp contrast to the stone and tile of old town and your country trek. Could it represent a city bombed in WWW II when rebuilds were lacking style and grace? So cool to see a gathered crowd enjoying the camaraderie of a football game together. The grand nature of the Chateau is spectacular. Thanks for sharing the beauty.
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I so appreciate your comments, John. We are home!
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