Loire Valley Chateaux and fine wine

Well I'm back for my second effort, try and keep it short (only kidding).

We arrived in the Loire Valley to be met with lush valleys, the River Loire, which is massive by the way, and more chateaux than i have had hot dinners.

Our accommodation was sumptuous and part of the Royal Amboise Chateau.The town of Amboise is very elegant. Leonardo Da Vinci lived here shortly before he died, we saw his house and his grave. 

The chateau, former home of Charles VIII, was very impressive. A proper castle and not just a posh house, complete with suits of armour and the like. 

Full of french history we went on the hunt of yet more Chateaux and came upon Chenonceau, built on the river Chene and equally as impressive as Amboise. Catherine de Medici was the tour de force here. The furnishings were very lavish and despite tourists of the world pushing and shoving in and out of small entrances the visit was first class.

After a night on the local grape we headed off again to chateau number three, the daddy of them all, Chambord. 

The place is huge and known for its architectural design. In particular the two central staircases intertwined and spiralling through the centre of the chateau to the top of the tallest tower. You can see the people on the other staircase but you will never meet; very Harry Potteresque. 

A walk round the grounds was needed to recover from the stairs (not good for Mr Vertigo) especially when you come out onto the castle roof. The grounds are massive and surrounded by a 20 mile long wall.

We decided three chateaux were sufficient but there are dozens. If you love stately type homes and french history then book two weeks and you will still have some left over. As a base you will be well served by Amboise. The quality of the food was some of the best we have tasted in France so far.