Wednesday 5th March : Through the Loire to Cheverny

The lovely Loire
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Left Passias at 10am. Went via Mayenne, to Angers, then along the Loire river – Chateau country. It is France’s valley of the kings and there seem to be beautiful chateaus every few kilometres as you drive along the lovely Loire. We had lunch in Saumer in the grounds of their chateau that overlooks the town. Driving along the Loire we also saw huge numbers of houses built into the cliffs. These are apparently called Troglodite caves. People still live in them today and some are used for things like a mushroom farm or sheds. Apparently as they removed the stone for the chateaus, lots of people decided the spaces left made good shelter. I guess that might be true for some of them.

To Chateau Saumer for lunch
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We stopped at Chateau D’Usse. This was the castle that inspired the Sleeping Beauty story and also the Disney castle. We then did a short tour of Blois before stopping for dinner. I had read out that a speciality of the region was snails and would they all like to try some. “I’ll try snails,” said Isaac.

“I don’t think I want to eat them,” said Kate.

“I’ll try snails but I might not chew,” said Tess.

“I don’t want to eat toenails,” shouted Michael who had obviously only been half listening. After that discussion we stopped at France’s answer to Macdonalds. It has special kids meals. For about 3.50 Euros you get either a massive piece of pizza or a filled baguette, a drink (can, or juice or bottled water), a fruit dessert, and a chupa chup, a balloon, some extra lollies and a lego-like toy in a special Pat-a-pain zip up bag. It just kept going. Andrew had quiche and I had a salad.

Driving out of the chateau grounds
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We stayed overnight in Cheverney, at a B&B. A quaint little place with toile decorations and sloping ceilings. Brice was the inn keeper!