Dansons in Delaware

First Family Vacation in France: The Loire Valley

This Monday-Wednesday, we went to visit Chartres Cathedral and the Loire Valley for our first family vacation! Here are the highlights:

Cheverny

• The family still lives on the 3rd floor of this chateau. You could see recent family pictures in their exhibit rooms.
• A family tree which dated all the way back to 1400 with the most recent member being born the same year as Brian!
• Smaller chateau, but still cute.

Chambord

• This isn't the best picture of Chambord, but it has all of us in it! ;o)
• Filled with tapestries made from the Manufactures des Gobelins, our neighbor!
• Beautiful views from all 4 points of the chateau.
• Staircase with 2 different entry points, but the stairs never cross
• Horse show at 4:30pm, which we missed.
• Terrible audioguide. Don't bother!

Chenonceau

• Built to span across the river.
• Gorgeous gardens.
• Interesting rooms
• Pretty historically correct flower arrangements refreshed biweekly.
  

We also visited Chatres Cathedral, which has 2 stories of impressive stained glass and over 2000 sculptures. We had a great guided tour by Malcolm Miller, who authors the book about the cathedral. He was 73 and amazing!

We stayed at this amazing B&B in the Loire Valley called Chateau de Nazelles. It had an amazing garden, forests to romp in, delicious breakfast and great hosts.

Michael doesn't like to travel as much as his parents. On this trip, he woke up 3 times every night, wouldn't nurse because everything was so interested, and fussed almost the entire time he was in the car. It was pretty hard to travel with him so we are re-thinking about going anywhere until he is a bit older. So we say!

Love,

B&P