First stop was at the Château de Azay-le-Rideau, described by Balzac as “a facet cut diamond set in the Indre” and which epitomises all the elegance of the French Renaissance. 

Built in the 16thC during the reign of Francis 1, by his Treasurer, Gilles Berthelot. Actually Gilles was away a lot and many construction decisions were made by his wife Phillipa. Amazing tapestries and leadlight too.

Its on an islet between two arms of the Indre river, set in an 8 hectare landscaped park, composed of winding paths through copses and meadows. Numerous footbridges and small bridges span the river, allowing for perambulation around the chateau. This couple from England were doing all the hard work for their pup, Geordie 🙂

In 1791 the Biencourt family became the owners of the chateau, restoring and enhancing this masterpiece over 4 generations. Its been under State ownership since the early 1900’s.

Our next stop was just a few kilometres down the road – the Château de l’Islette, another 16thC riverside Renaissance castle in white limestone.

Designed by René de Maillé, with construction lasting from 1526 to 1530. During the French Revolution, the château was owned by Charles Tiercelin d’Apelvoisin, who served as a member of the 1789 Estates-General government and was executed by guillotine in 1793. Approximately a century later, in the 1890s, the château was a romantic setting for the tempestuous affair between famous sculptors Rodin and Camille Claudel, who frequently stayed at the castle for secret getaways.

Eventually, in the mid-1960s, the Château de l’Islette underwent major restoration by Pierre and Madeleine Michaud, whose family still owns the estate and resides there today. The castle has been open to the public for 5 months of the year, since 2010.

We arrived at Chinon in time to have a drink in the Place de Jean d’Arc before we checked into our boutique hotel. Very friendly reception by Mathieu.

Did a short walk to the river and droney took a few shots of the Royal Fortress of Chinon.  Situated on its rocky spur on the borders of Anjou, Touraine and Poitou, the Royal Fortress of Chinon reflects the most prestigious times of the Middle Ages. The last refuge of Henry II Plantagenet king of England, its thousand-year-old walls welcomed Eleanor of Aquitaine, Charles VII, Joan of Arc and Marie of Anjou during the major turning points of French history.

Dinner at La Bekaa, a Lebanese restaurant just up the road. Delish offerings and a cheeky bottle of red, Moroccan Boulaouane shared by us. A very hot night, tossing and turning, airless bedroom despite comfy bed.