The morning around the chateau outside of Tours. The fog was, no doubt, due to the very cool morning - only a few degrees above freezing. By the time I came back into the chateau after photographing for 45 minutes my hands were on the verge of pain they were so cold. However, it was a beautiful morning.
The trees in the park around the chateau are amazing. Look at the seat in the photo above, then look at the width of the trunk on the tree behind it. It must be a diameter of a least 4.5 feet. I saw a couple of other huge trees as well.
Above, the inside of the chateau.
No, we did not stay at this chateau - our blood is not blue enough. This is the famous Chateau Chombord about an hour east of Tours, still in the Loire River valley. It is a very odd design. Clearly very ornate on the exterior, but almost austere on the interior. The interior layout of the main building - so called the keep - is a cross with equal length legs. The cross forms a large open hallway. At the centre of the cross is a double helix staircase, perhaps designed by Leonardo Da Vinci who lived in the area during his last years. The four quadrants which create the round corners of the keep are the living quarters.
Above, a royal bedroom and bed.
Tapestries above - very large.
The chapel, complete with a stone barrel vault.
A view in the hallway from one leg of the cross to the other with the centre double helix stair to the left.
A view from the roof showing the canal that brings water to the motes of the chateau. Apparently, one of the Kings had the grand idea of bringing the entire Loire River to the Chateau, a diversion of only a few kilometres. He was so positive this would happen that he had a special stair constructed from his chambers to the mote.
The ornate roof structure, above and below.
A view of the rear of the chateau overlooking the lawns bounded by the canal. In previous times the lawn would actually have been well structured and formal gardens. Too expensive for the current landlord - the Republic of France.
Repairs and renovations have been extensive and started as long ago and the 1700s. The roof design is very complex and was impossible to keep water-tight until recent years. The stone used on the exterior wall is very soft and deteriorates with exposure to weather. The stone was chosen for its colour and finished smoothness. Form wins over function.
From the Loire valley we moved on to the small city Chartes about an hour west of Paris. This city of 40,000 is home to one of the great cathedrals of Europe - but I don't know why. Apparently it had money, the key ingredient in cathedral building. Indulgences from both the Pope and the King allowed a bishop's dreams to come true - build a cathedral. This is a big one.
Except for the alter area, the lights were mostly off within. The stained glass is apparently second to none.
Not the greatest picture from a quality perspective because, as Cathy said, "the place is darker than a tomb". I had to boost the light levels on the computer to allow anything to be seen in front of the alter. As you can see from above, tall walls, tall windows and a fully ribbed stone arch ceiling. Very nice even though it was quite dark.
Ted Moore will get a smile from this. This is the unmistakable trial markings for a pilgrimage. Cathy found it in the asphalt sidewalk leading to the Cathedral. Ted and I saw similar trail markings on our walk in Spain in the fall of 2011. Ultreya Ted!!
Tonight we are in Paris, near the airport in a typical commuter hotel. But, what a drive to get here. It took several hours in bumper to bumper traffic to complete the last 30k to the hotel. Tomorrow we may drive to another royal chateau.
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