Loire valley - Saumur

I think Saumur was even more scenic than the Blois area (and I don't just have to say that because it's twinned with Warwick, right near where Dave grew up). Did the usual walking tour and a couple of winery tours and tastings. There is a large series of underground caves underneath the entire region, the source of limestone to build in the first place. These caves now provide the perfect climate to grow mushrooms and produce and store wine so there are tonnes of vineyards and wineries in the area. The speciality of the area is sparkling wine and I may have bought a few bottles to enjoy...

Saumur Castle from the closest bridge

View from the hill beyond the castle

15th century houses in one of the squares - awesome creperie downstairs here

Louis de Grenelle winery - ceremonial tasting room in underground caves

Louis de Grenelle winery - cave system packed with maturing wine

Loire a Velo trail goes through exposed cave sections

Loire a Velo trail

Looks like the size of a pedestrian walkway but is in fact a vehicle road!

Loire a Velo trail through more exposed caves

Loire a Velo trail descending into the caves

Spring time - flower beds everywhere

Vineyards & sunflower fields

Heading back into Saumur

Saumur Castle from the cycle trail

Loire valley - Blois

Let's take a break from the alpine & venture into another part of France! Swapping skiing for cycling, altitude for (fairly) flat cycle paths, and snow for rain, I headed off on a jaunt to the Loire during the second last week of the season. Spent 3 nights in Blois, and 3 nights in Saumur, managing 2 & 1 cycling days respectively. Navigating the cycle routes is easy with the well signed Loire a Velo trails. Loire a Velo is part of the Euro Velo 6 cycle trail which runs from the Atlantic coast in France all the way to the Black Sea along the Loire, Rhone and Danube rivers across 10 countries...

The Blois area had tonnes of sights to see, of which I managed a few:

View to the west from Blois Castle, Loire in the background

View toward Cathedral of St. Louis

Chateau de Blois - external spiral staircase from courtyard

Chateau de Blois - double vaulted ceiling in marble & stone

Chateau de Blois - hall covered in fleurs-de-lis

Chateau de Chambord & my ride

Chateau de Chambord - king's bed chamber

Chateau de Chambord - concentric double spiral staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci

Chateau de Chambord - trophy hall

Chateau de Chambord - tapestries

Chateau de Chambord - double spiral staircase comes out on the rooftop

Chateau de Chambord - rooftop

 

Parc du Chambord (hunting ground surroundings) from chateau rooftop

Cathedral of St. Louis - building started in the 10th century

View over Blois from the Cathedral

15th century townhouse

Sunflower fields everywhere along the trail

Cathedral of St. Louis from the main bridge

Church in Les Montils village

Loire a Velo signs

Forrest trails

Chateau de Blois - scene in the illumination show