France2024

We ended our tour of the Chateaux in the Loire River Valley with a visit to the town of Blois. Blois was created in the year 832 and served as the official residence of the King of France during the Renaissance Period. Evidence of human habitation in this area dates back 8,000 years. There is too much history to discuss in this writing, but I would like to share a few highlights. In 1429 Joan of Arc used Blois as her base of operations for the relief of Orleans. In 1871 the Prussian (German) army took control of Blois in the Franco-Prussian War. In 1940 the Germans destroyed a large part of Blois  during their bombing campaign in WWII. The US & English air forces destroyed the rest of Blois in June-August 1944. The Germans in Blois surrendered on September 1, 1944. 1522 historical structures were damaged or destroyed.   We had a pleasant drive along the banks of the Loire River to Blois and looked forward to our visit. We parked our car and walked into the historic di...

 Today winds up our tour of the homes of the rich and famous.  As previously mentioned there are over 1,000 chateaus within driving range of where we are.  We selected 5 and were not dissapointed. I will start off with Chateau de Cheverney.  This castle has a long history.  There are two things about this property that is of interest.  Henry Le Mareschau owned Cheverny in 1315.  Jean Huralts bought the property with its "house, presses and vineyards ", in the late 14th century.  The chateau was built in the beginning of the 16th century.  The estate has been in the same family for more than 6 centuries. It slipped out of the Huralts' hands twice, in the 16th century when Diane Poitier bought it.  She decided she did not want it, and the Huralts bought it back.  The second time was in the 18th century when the heirs lost interest.  Ann-Victor Huralt bought it back in 1825.  Today the Hurault descendants maintain a residence...

Chateau Amboise  Today we visited the Chateau d'Amboise and the Chateau Clos-Luce.  Construction of the d'Amboise castle began around the year 987.  A book was written about d'Amboise in the 12th century. d'Amboise was a favorite of the French kings.  This lasted until the beginning of the 17th century.  Afterwards it fell into decline.  The 15th century was significant in the history of d'Amboise.  King Francis I was raised here and through his lifetime many famous people in France passed through here. Anne Bolyn, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Mary Queen of Scots.  Mary spent 13 years here under the watchful eye of Henry II and Catherine de'Medici.  This was following her betrothal to the French heir, Francis II.  The castle was the line of demarcation between occupied France and free France in World War II.  There was a bridge crossing the Loire River, across from our apartment.  It was destroyed by French soldiers, in an effort to ...

 So many Chateaux and so little time.  Our journey has taken us into the Loire Valley.  Amanda and Harry found us a beautiful apartment in Amboise, adjacent to the Chateau Royal d'Amboise, overlooking the Loire River.  This region is home to more than a thousand castles and palaces of all shapes and sizes.  Having a "valley address" became a must-have among the 16th century royalty.  These palaces were not normally their principal residences, they were used as hunting lodges, weekend retreats, and retirement homes.  The chateau we visited today was Chenonceau.  This chateau is located on the Cher River.It is known as le  "Chateaux des Dames". (the Ladies Castle).  While the history of Chenonceau spans the late 1300's to present day, there is a great deal of interest in the 15th century.  King Francis I lived in the Royal Castle in Paris with his wife, Catherine.  King Francis used Chenonceau as a home for his "favorite", Diane ...

 Normally when I sit down to write about our day's events,  they come naturally.  Today I am at a loss on the proper way to chronicle today's activity.  We left Sarlat and drove to Amboise.  A four hour drive.  We arrived in Amboise around 6:30 PM. An uneventful trip in one way, but it turned out to be a walk through the dark history of France. We stopped in Limoges for lunch and drove to Oradour-sur-Glane (Oradour on the Glane River).  This was a planned stop.  The village of Oradour was changed forever on June 10, 1944.  Oradour was a charming French village.  It was a Limousin market town.  The census of 1936 showed a population of 1574 inhabitants, 330 of whom lived close to each other in the main part of the village.  This village was just like any other village you have been to, worldwide.  The residents were hard working, family oriented, and just wanted to live their life.  Prior to June 10, 1944 the populatio...