We have had a week in the Loire Valley in France.The weather was mixed,a bit of rain and then temperatures at 35 degrees making it very hot and humid.As a result out came all the bugs!!I got bitten quite badly and ended up,when back home, on a course of antibiotics as the bites were infected.Not very pleasant.The antibiotics made me feel sick so I have been feeling a bit out of sorts.I finish the tablets today and feel much better.
This is the cottage we stayed in and it was very nice.We reckon we have stayed in at least 23 gites(cottages) in France over the years and this was one of the best.It was in a small village which had a bar/restaurant and also a small shop.There were lots of empty shelves in the shop but they did sell bread and milk.
We were a 10 minute drive into Amboise and this the chateau that we visited.During the 15 and 16th centuriesit was a favourite residence of French kings.In 1516 Francis the first invited Leonardo Da Vinci to visit.He ended his days here and is buried here.
Statue of LeonardoDa Vinci
The chapel where he is buried.
Another day we went to the Chaumont Garden Festival held in the grounds of the chateau.This is an international festival and is an annual event.The gardens are on display all summer.
Ah, another holiday spot we have in common. We stayed in a similar place on our first visit to France. We were disappointed in our small village. No places to eat, only a " bar". Have learnt our lesson and choose bigger villages these days and make sure there are places to eat within walking distance. 35 degrees is too hot for me to enjoy. You need aircon and a pool in those temperatures ( like every day in Summer here !). Hope you are feeling more comfortable now.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a beautiful little village. So sorry to hear about the bugs and warm temps. I don't do well with either, too. I do hope you're feeling better. Enjoy your weekend. Pat
ReplyDeleteWe love renting cottages when we travel, so much better than a hotel room. We always travel with bug repellant when we're out in the countryside. I never do well with antibiotics, something always gets out of whack.
ReplyDeleteYour gite looks wonderful and it looks as if you had a great time. What a shame about the insect bites and having to take the antibiotics which made you feel ill. Hope you feel well again now:)
ReplyDeleteThe castle is so beautiful, hope you continue to feel better.
ReplyDeleteMeredith
Hi there, I visited before but didn't comment. :( Here I am back to say so glad you are back but so sad that you've been bitten. What a wonderfully elegant place.
ReplyDeletexx
The Loire valley is a really pretty area of France. We had a winters break there once so it was very chilly, nearly all the chateaux were closed but thankfully all the bugs were sleeping.
ReplyDeleteLooks lovely! x
ReplyDeleteOh no, insect bites can be awful, I've had a few bad reactions to them in the past, glad you're feeling a bit better now though. I visited the Loire Valley with school back in 1982, it's such a beautiful place. We visited a few chateaux while we were there but I don't remember this one, how interesting.
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