Got up late, finally minced out of the hotel and headed off to see Chateau Chambord. It was quite impressive and the largest Chateau in the Loire Valley. It had over 90 rooms, they had log fires burning in some of the rooms which was very unusual but very welcoming to the visitors as it was cold and wet outside. The other main item in the Chateau which stood out was the double helix staircase, which was in the main centre of the building.

Next we went on to see Chateau Chenonceau, which was built on the River Cher, the building itself stood on the river. The kitchen and staff quarters were built within 2 of the piers, the kitchen was impressive for the age it was. Large cooker, mechanical spit roast, butcher’s corner full of knives and wood blocks. The great hall was used as a hospital ward during the 1st world war and through out the building there was plenty of large arrangement of flowers.

The grounds were immaculately kept and there was a maze made of 1000 yew trees. There was also an old farm house/stables which is full of rare plants, herbs and flowers in the grounds. Also, there was the old cellar caves where the wine used to be held, we got there too late to do any tasting of their current wines.

We tried to located a restaurant recommended in our Eye Witness France book, it turned out closed on Sundays’ so we found a small seafood restaurant instead which did a variety of mussel dishes. It was very delicious and we retreated back to our hotel very full and tired.