Vendredi à vélo - surveying the Loire...

 

From the high ground behind Souzay-Champigny

 

Monday's Loire Valley chateau - Château de la Vignole

At the heart of the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Nature Park, in Souzay-Champigny, Château de la Vignole clings to the cliff face on the banks of the Loire river. This 17th century semi-troglodyte  tufa-style mansion's claim to fame was that, along with other properties nearby, was placed at the disposal of Marguerite d'Anjou, daughter of King Rene and Queen of England (by marriage to King Henry VI from 1445 to 1461 and again from 1470 to 1471) after being exiled to France.

The castle is known locally as "château de Marguerite d'Anjou" but this is due more to the imagination of romantic authors and less to facts.It was actually at nearby 'Morains Manor' in Dampierre-sur-Loire that the "most unhappy of wives and mothers" lived until her death in 1482. 

https://www.demeure-vignole.com/

The 'chateau' is now a private hotel with what looks like a stunning pool!

Friday photo

The troglodyte street at Souzay-Champigny 

A great stretch of the river Loire

One of our favorite stretches of the river Loire is between Candes-Saint-Martin and Souzay-Champigny.

Starting from where the mighty Loire meets the river Vienne you have two of 'Les plus beaux villages de France' in Candes-Saint-Martin (with its great church)  and Montsoreau (with its chateau) as well as the troglodyte interests in Turquant and  Souzay-Champigny.

Rue du Commerce at Souzay-Champigny

A walk along the troglodyte street of 'Rue du Commerce' at nearby Souzay-Champigny.