The
Old Walnut Mill Delightful, spacious 2 bedroom 19th Century Loire Valley house for rent in the village of Barrou, Southern Touraine in the department of Indre et Loire, France. The village’s location halfway
between the regional capitals of Tours and Poitiers makes it an ideal base
to explore the Loire Valley and Vienne.
Amboise,
in the Loire Valley ,France,
with its dominant renaissance style chateau is a town steeped in
history. The town is incredibly
charming but also a bit touristy because of its popularity with
visitors to the Loire Valley.
That said it is the ideal base for discovering some of the
other popular chateaux that lie to the east of Tours including
Chenonceau, Chaumont, Blois and Chambord.
The
town itself still retains its medieval feel and has plenty of good
restaurants and cafes to relax in and sample the local wines and
produce of the area. The kids will love the sweet ( 'dragees')
shops
Started about 1107 by Hugues 1st Lord of Amboise, the church of St
Denis in the town was built on the site of a Gallo-Roman monument.
It is worth a visit to view its beautiful interior, stain glass windows and organ.
During peak tourist season the town puts on a spectacular sound and
light show with hundreds (yes hundreds) of local volunteers
bringing their history to life – 'At the court of Francois I'
- you might not comprehend all that is going on but you’ll certainly
enjoy the spectacle.
On Fridays and Sundays, the town's outdoor riverside market which
takes place behind Max Ernst's fascinating turtle fountain creation
is a feast of sights and smells. The market on Friday mornings
sells predominantly food and regional delicacies.
The much
larger Sunday market market takes place in the Place du Marchée beside the
Loire river selling wines, cheese, meat, fruit and vegetables of the local
area, along with clothes and locally-made pottery.
It draws visitors from all over the region and feels more like a
fair than a market.
The Loire river here at Amboise is best appreciated by a stroll
across the bridge looking back towards the town - it is also a great
photo opportunity - but mind the traffic !
Francois I spent his childhood here
at the chateau and
when he succeeded to the throne, he lavished much of his social
skills on Amboise. He held frequent balls, feasts, tournaments
and
it was he who in 1516
invited Leonardo da Vinci to stay at the
delightful 'Close-Luce', nearby with the promise of a pension, with
the only requirement being that he devote some of his time to
conversation and companionship. It is said that there is a secret
tunnel from the chateau to the Manoir du Clos -Luce. Leonardo's
remains now lie within the Chapel of
Saint-Hubert within the grounds of the chateau.
A visit to the
town would not be complete without a short walk down Rue Victor-Hugo
to the
Manoirdu
Close-Luce, past the troglodyte houses (complete with satellite
dishes) cut into the limestone cliff face, to the enchanting house
and gardens where Leonardo de Vinci spent his final years.
By car:
Driving from Paris take the A10
motorway (Paris-Bordeaux), exit at junction 21 "Tours centre".
Driving from Tours, take N152
east to D32 and then turn south, following signs to Amboise,
going along the banks of the Loire in the direction of Blois.
lunteers
bringing their history to life – 'At the court of Francois I'
- you might not comprehend all that is going on but you’ll certainly
enjoy the spectacle.
ho in 1516
invited Leonardo 
