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Loving the Loire Valley

10/04/22 | Backroads, Biking, France, Loire Valley, UNESCO

The blog has been a bit quiet but the last ten days in France were definitely something to write home about.  Well, right home is an expression as I was with my family in husband in Paris for both weekends but in between we spent the last six days and five nights in the Loire Valley. Over the past 30 years I have been to many other places in France but this was my first visit to this region.

We biked a great amount of the Loire river county visiting countless small towns, more fields than I’ve ever seen, and a number of chateaus.  With over 200 miles of biking (237 to be exact) we saw so much and here are some of my favorites shots and you will certainly notice a common theme of châteaus in the photos below: 

_________

Stopping for lunch but first, a photo outside of the 16th century Château de Chambord

Outside of the 16th century Chateau de Chambord

Cows in a small field along the La Loire à Vélo, a 500-mile-long network of cycling routes

Cows in a small field along the La Loire a Velo, a 500-mile-long network of cycling routes 

Biking through one of countless quiet scenic small towns (I love the roses). Biking through a quiet scenic small town in the Loire Valley

King Louis XIV’s ceremonial bedroom at Château de Chambord

Louis XIV's ceremonial bedroom Chateau de Chambord 

With Mark in-front of the 15th century Château Royal d’Amboise

With Mark in-front of the 15th century Chateau Royal d'Amboise

The gardens of Chateau de Villandry where we stopped for lunch on our first day

The gardens of Chateau de Villandry where we stopped for lunch on our first day

Biking towards the Sleeping Beauty castle, Le Château d’Ussé

Biking towards the Sleeping Beauty castle, Le Chateau d'Usse

Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings in his workshop at Château du Clos, his residence in Amboise

Leonardo da Vinci's drawings in his workshop at Chateau du Clos, his residence in Amboise

The French Renaissance tower at Château de Chambord

The French Renaissance architecture of the tower at Chateau de Chambord

In the gardens of the Château de Chenonceau, which spans the River Cher

Wearing Rapha at the Chateau de Chenonceau, which spans the River Cher

One of the hotels we stayed at, The Domaine des Hauts de Loire, a 19th Century Hunting Lodge

The Domaine des Hauts de Loire, a 19th Century Hunting Lodge

Have you been to the Loire Valley?

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Comments

  1. Charlotte says

    October 25, 2022 at 5:30 pm

    You look so happy in the photo with your husband!

    The one in front of the castle is my next favorite!

    You must have been in castle heaven.

  2. TAMMY says

    October 25, 2022 at 12:34 pm

    Wow. You two have done a lot of bike riding in 6 days. 237 miles is impressive. Don’t know what happened to your original post which I commented on but I love all of the pictures here. I hope to get to see this someday.

  3. Terrie says

    October 25, 2022 at 8:46 am

    Been there several times but never saw those gardens. How spectacular and so intricate. I can’t even immagine how much it takes to keep those up.

    Did you like the bike trip? I have often thought that it is a great way to see the counrtyside of a destination while getting some excercise.

    Cute photos.

  4. Shelly says

    October 25, 2022 at 7:17 am

    I have been and it is a wonderful place. Love all the castles that they have there and the rich history.

    It was a nice walk down memory lane. Thanks Kelly

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog founded in 2012.  After six years of living in London I am back in New York with my husband and two littles! 

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