The Three C's...Cheverney, Chaumont, and Chambord

Chaumont
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Tuesday, September 18.

Wow, today was a serious castle day. I found a great map that sectioned off areas to see the most in one trip. Go to www.visaloire.com (Don't panic, it's in French, but if you right click and scroll down to Google pages, you can translate the page to English. It's a bit literal, but at least you can navigate the page). I decided to do the three C's...Cherverney, Chaumont and Chambord.

"turrets, spires and gargoyles!"

more Chaumont
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Even if you think you might be lost, you can always see the castles because they were built on the highest land (so they could see their enemies coming, and later, because they had the best views. I walked up a long steep concrete walk way to reach the top. I am at Chaumont, built in a "u" shape with turrets and spires, and GARGOYLES! Now that's what I'm talking about! The inside was not so impressive, not alot of furniture, but there were two girls restoring the ceiling painting with little cups and brushes. I figure they are hired for life!! The stables were magnificent, they treated their horses like royalty too. Name plaques above each stall (names like Agamemnon and Odysseus), their own kitchen to mix the mash, and a huge tower that was for indoor riding.

the inner courtyard of Chaumont
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Next, I take off down some country road and see a sign for Fougeres-sur-Bievre, but when I find it, it's closed. I take pictures from the outside. Chances are something will be closed on A Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday (restaurants, sights, banks, and stores). I see another little sign for Trossay, a country manor. It was a fancy farm and there are all the furnishings and a museum with the old farm tools, clothing, and housewares. Very cool! They even had little carts pulled by the family dog for the kids to ride around in.

a little gargoyle holding up the shelf
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On to Cheverney!

More on the castles later...

I actually am checking out of Amboise today. I hate to leave, there is enough to do here to stay a month. !) I lose my DSL connection and will have to look for Hotspots for internet. @) I have to drag my bag down the stairs!

I'm driving to Carcassonne. Later!