Took a taxi into the City of Tours to get our mini-bus tour of the chateaux. Started with a female guide and 4 Brazilians, swapped at lunch to a male French guide and 4 girls from Paraguay- maybe the Brazilians did not like us!

First we went to Amboise . Beautiful chateau perched on the hill overlooking the centre of the town, where Leonardo Da Vinci is buried in a small chapel. Remodelled by Charles VIII in1492, over half has been removed over time, the bricks used elsewhere! Superb views over the river Loire. The exit tower has a sloping ramp that allows horse and carriages to leave the chateau directly into the main street.

Drove through lovely countryside and pretty small villages to Chenonceau, where we had lunch. Much larger than Amboise, set huge gardens and known as the "ladies' chateau, having been
"fought over" by the wife ( Catherine Di Medici ) and mistress(Diane De Potiers) of Henri II. Built in several stages, the main part of the castle is built on a bridge spanning the Cher River. The 60 metre long Grande Gallerie, over the river, was used as a military hospital in WW1. Beautifully furnished. Interesting collection of full sized wax figures of the gentry at the time, housed in the stables.

After lunch, on to Cheverny . Much smaller, rectangular house set in small park, really only a country house rather than a chateau. Built in 1625. Priceless art , including the Mona Lisa, were stored there in WW2. Beautifully furnished, with a nursery full of toys and the birthing room with cot etc. This chateau is the model for Tintin's adventures with Captain Haddock!
We had thought there was to be some wine tasting, but this was an alternative to seeing the chateau, so we missed the wine.

On to Chambord, the Loire's largest and most visited chateau. Truly vast, 4 wings modelled on Maltese Cross, mostly unfurnished and with Da Vinci's double helix staircase in the centre (so wife and mistress never met!) Built in 1515; 440 rooms, 365 fireplaces and 84 staircases, Hundreds of towers, lanterns and turrets( almost reminiscent of Gaudi in Spain) and so drafty, King Francis I only lived there 42 odd days in 37 years. Saw a lovely owl at the top of the helical staircase. Huge trophy gallery with hunting spoils and weapons from the 1900s.

Back to camp, feeling we had spent our money well to see so much of the. "Chateaux Country" in one day.