Around the French Countryside November 10, 2006
Thierry shuffled several smaller and less-worthy two-wheeled vehicles before finally reaching the two matching velo-cycles that Holly and I would mount and ride across the surrounding countryside. Our plan is to ride alongside the Le Cher (the Cher River) about 4 kilometers to Chenonceau, a chateau built in the 16th century and once home to Henry II and later to Catherine de Medicis.
We pedaled away from the cottage and soon were on a dirt track that runs alongside the river alternating from a four wheel drive path to single track. The path, sometimes in the open sometimes running through thick woods, finally brought us to an opening that allowed us to see the chateau which is built on a bridge over the river. (The story goes that Catherine de Medicis had the chateau extended, covering a bridge over Le Cher, so that it would be easier to hunt on the south side of the river. Ah the royalty, you can be assured their priorities are in line.) The ride along the river was very pleasant being away from any traffic and Le Cher is a peaceful picturesque river. We enjoyed it immensely. After we had taken a few pictures of the chateau it was time to take the tour of the castle and grounds. To do this we had to ride a kilometer or so back up river to a crossing so that we could approach the property from the front. Once there we parked and locked our steeds, bought our tickets and proceeded through the large gates and down the tree lined half kilometer long drive. Along the way we did stop at a vendor stall and have a crepe; Holly’s with honey, mine with chocolate. They were good enough to make you want to immigrate.
We picked up our Audio Guides at the reception desk and were impressed to see that they used IPods, although they were older models. It was an interesting tour that made me appreciate the way several architects over the centuries had used the natural geographic features to shape the design of the structure. The Chenonceau is privately owned and much more exposed than the national museums. With the exception of a few tapestries and paintings all other artifacts are open and can be touched although the proprietors don’t encourage this action.
After our tour we debated as to what to do next. The plan was to ride to Montrichard a town about 6 kilometers from the chateau, the question was whether to eat lunch at Chenonceau or cycle to Montrichard before eating. We chose the later. You think we would learn. By the time we got to the town it was almost 3 PM and all cafes were closed. That left us with going to a bar and “snack food” which means a sandwich.
Next we went to the grocery in town and picked up some things for our picnic tomorrow. Cheese, fruit, crackers, wine; you know the typical French picnic lunch. We left Montrichard and cycled back to the cottage just as the sun was setting and the temperatures were dropping from the low fifties to the forties. A nice day although Holly is complaining about a certain part of her anatomy that is no longer used to a day on a bicycle.
We pedaled away from the cottage and soon were on a dirt track that runs alongside the river alternating from a four wheel drive path to single track. The path, sometimes in the open sometimes running through thick woods, finally brought us to an opening that allowed us to see the chateau which is built on a bridge over the river. (The story goes that Catherine de Medicis had the chateau extended, covering a bridge over Le Cher, so that it would be easier to hunt on the south side of the river. Ah the royalty, you can be assured their priorities are in line.) The ride along the river was very pleasant being away from any traffic and Le Cher is a peaceful picturesque river. We enjoyed it immensely. After we had taken a few pictures of the chateau it was time to take the tour of the castle and grounds. To do this we had to ride a kilometer or so back up river to a crossing so that we could approach the property from the front. Once there we parked and locked our steeds, bought our tickets and proceeded through the large gates and down the tree lined half kilometer long drive. Along the way we did stop at a vendor stall and have a crepe; Holly’s with honey, mine with chocolate. They were good enough to make you want to immigrate.
We picked up our Audio Guides at the reception desk and were impressed to see that they used IPods, although they were older models. It was an interesting tour that made me appreciate the way several architects over the centuries had used the natural geographic features to shape the design of the structure. The Chenonceau is privately owned and much more exposed than the national museums. With the exception of a few tapestries and paintings all other artifacts are open and can be touched although the proprietors don’t encourage this action.
After our tour we debated as to what to do next. The plan was to ride to Montrichard a town about 6 kilometers from the chateau, the question was whether to eat lunch at Chenonceau or cycle to Montrichard before eating. We chose the later. You think we would learn. By the time we got to the town it was almost 3 PM and all cafes were closed. That left us with going to a bar and “snack food” which means a sandwich.
Next we went to the grocery in town and picked up some things for our picnic tomorrow. Cheese, fruit, crackers, wine; you know the typical French picnic lunch. We left Montrichard and cycled back to the cottage just as the sun was setting and the temperatures were dropping from the low fifties to the forties. A nice day although Holly is complaining about a certain part of her anatomy that is no longer used to a day on a bicycle.
posted by Gary and Holly Davis @ 9:10 AM
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