Day 7 in the Loire Valley Morning

April 04, 2025

Day 7 in the Loire Valley Morning

[4 April]

We awakened more or less at our usual time at home; it seems adjusting to being in France is coming along nicely thank you very much.

After a light breakfast it was off to meet Richard and Pauline at the TI office where the four of us planned our itinerary for tackling the châteaux west of Tours. Our goal was Azay-le-Rideau and Villandry, especially the gardens of the latter.

But what a gorgeous day to explore the Loire Valley! Highs in the low 70s with sun and nary a cloud in sight.

From the TI office we walked across the street and down into the underground parking garage where we loaded ourselves into Richard and Pauline's car and headed for the countryside west of Tours.

A word of warning: lots of photos follow here as well as in the following afternoon post about Villandry.

[Official Azay-le-Rideau website]

car park at Azay-le-Rideau

entrance

ticket office left door

entrance to the secret garden

café just across from the château

note the stone bannisters carved right into the wall

the tour begins in the attic which shows incredible woodwork

Renaissance chamber

tapestry in the Pysche chamber

the grand hall

king's chamber

Biencourt salon - 19th century

Leaving the interior we found ourselves in the main courtyard and the path that allows for plenty of opportunities to see the château from many different angles.

this particular water feature is called water mirror

tulips, tulips everywhere!

The promenade ends in a small building just before the exit that provides an in-depth look at the history of this remarkable building (as well as a lovely model of the chateau).