Monks. Knights. Barons. Peasants. Leonardo. Eleanor. Henry. We walked where they walked.
One of several meals featuring duck.
Touring the Loire Valley makes a person want to put down roots. From outdoor markets to medieval gardens, this valley is quintessential France.
But let's start with something central to any trip: food. At left is duck in a sauce of orange and coriander, potatoes, and turnips with broccoli. It was hard to remember to snap a picture before digging in. More food coming up.
But let's start with something central to any trip: food. At left is duck in a sauce of orange and coriander, potatoes, and turnips with broccoli. It was hard to remember to snap a picture before digging in. More food coming up.
Chateau du Clos Luce, Amboise, residence of Leonardo da Vinci from 1516 to his death. At left, Sam tries out Leonardo's tank; at right, the kitchen garden. Leonardo was a vegetarian who took great pleasure in nature. Sam: "I feel like I touched him through time."
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Wisconsin has a short window of garden weather, and I spent most of it in 2011 traveling in France. So I was delighted to go to a vast medieval garden called Villandry. Although it rained for the beginning of our visit, the sun had come out by the end. The rain washed the air clean and decked every leaf and flower with diamonds. Below, pictures of Villandry.
Drums + bass + sax = Jazz!
We loved Chinon. Partly, it was because Chinon castle is where Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II stayed.
Partly, it was because June 21 was Fête de la Musique. This celebration began in France and has spread all over the world. From little kids to grandpas, from amateurs to professionals, everybody plays music or listens to music or dances to music from the afternoon to late at night.
Last, we loved Chinon because we stayed at Hotel Diderot, which was very nice (thanks, Rick!), was in a great location, and featured both a wine-tasting AND a cupboard full of every kind of jam you can think of.
Partly, it was because June 21 was Fête de la Musique. This celebration began in France and has spread all over the world. From little kids to grandpas, from amateurs to professionals, everybody plays music or listens to music or dances to music from the afternoon to late at night.
Last, we loved Chinon because we stayed at Hotel Diderot, which was very nice (thanks, Rick!), was in a great location, and featured both a wine-tasting AND a cupboard full of every kind of jam you can think of.
Sarlat was an enchanting, relaxing break on Day 8 of our tour. We walked, picnicked, shopped.
At left, Sarlat at night. Is there a lovelier color combination than blue and gold?
Below left, umbrellas for sale in the market at Sarlat.
Below center, Carcasonne cassoulet, which I tried making on a cold February day in Wisconsin. In France, they traditionally cooked the cassoulet (beans, pork, duck, and sausage) in the fireplace. It was supposed to cook for three days. If the wind changed, they'd toss it out and start a new pot because a change in the wind meant a change in the heat of the fire--thus, a ruined pot of cassoulet. My oven is not susceptible to wind, nor am I patient enough to wait three days. My cassoulet was good, but theirs was really good.
Below right, Justin F. of San Francisco and Sam during a two-hour picnic in the park, during which we might have dozed off.
At left, Sarlat at night. Is there a lovelier color combination than blue and gold?
Below left, umbrellas for sale in the market at Sarlat.
Below center, Carcasonne cassoulet, which I tried making on a cold February day in Wisconsin. In France, they traditionally cooked the cassoulet (beans, pork, duck, and sausage) in the fireplace. It was supposed to cook for three days. If the wind changed, they'd toss it out and start a new pot because a change in the wind meant a change in the heat of the fire--thus, a ruined pot of cassoulet. My oven is not susceptible to wind, nor am I patient enough to wait three days. My cassoulet was good, but theirs was really good.
Below right, Justin F. of San Francisco and Sam during a two-hour picnic in the park, during which we might have dozed off.