A Gardener's Paradise

Saturday, May 21
At our hotelier's suggestion, we are heading east from our hotel for one day of touring and then west for the other.  He directs us towards Villandry today as it is known for its gardens and today there will be sunshine.  (Rain is expected on Sunday.)
So, off we go in our rented car to try to find our way to Villandry.  My phone is not working here, but fortunately Jacque can use her phone's GPS so we manage to arrive in a timely manner.
Chateau de Villandry is beautiful, and we tour its many rooms.  Since I am a "wonderer," I start to wonder how the ladies of these manors got around.  The staircases are usually spiral, as was common for this locale at this time...1700's).  And the staircases are narrow.  (With my big feet, I always had to use the outer edge of the staircase or my feet wouldn't fit! ) So I wonder...how did those ladies maneuver these staircases in their large dresses and maintain the dignity expected of a queen? The audio guide does not answer my question.
This chateau was the home of the Minister of Finance.  John quickly assumes that there must have been some "taking off the top" to afford such an amazing palace.  I think about it and realize that Hampton Court was built for Cardinal Wolsey, which was the English king's first advisor.  Evidently it paid really well to be that close to a king!

enjoying the grounds at Villandry...

and it's sunny!!

Jacque and I quickly notice the gorgeous flower arrangements in every room.  Are they all real?  Yes, they're real...and fresh...and amazingly scented!  I have to sniff them in every room.  Ahhh...lovely!
After touring the beautiful rooms and furnishings, we head outdoors to the gardens.  I knew they were vast, but still I am taken aback!  Acres and acres of manicured gardens...the sculpted gardens, the flower gardens, the herb/vegetable garden (which is presented in a most stunning manner!), the garden maze (does every castle have its own garden maze??  maybe these were used in hopes that the kids would get lost for awhile??), the greenhouses, and the forest paths.  I must Google how many full time gardeners it takes to maintain these grounds. Amazing!!

 Just a small view of the sculpted gardens at Villandry

Chateau de Villandry

Next we head to Chinon, where there is another chateau.  We do a bit of wine tasting in the town of Chinon.  Then we visit the chateau.  We don't bother with audio guides here, we just do a quick tour of the rooms and call it a day.  This castle was the home to a queen (Which one?  I have no idea.  There are way too many kings & queens around here!) and her fourteen children.  Where was the king?  I don't know...maybe gone to war.  But it seems to me that the queen may have been lonely because she collected quite a few pets, including rabbits that she walked on leashes.

 Chateau de Chinon

We fit right in, don't we?

This evening we are dining at our own chateau.  The food is excellent, but I'm so tired I hardly notice it.  I hope the rest of our group is enjoying their dinners more than I'm tasting mine.