Saturday 11th November 2017

It rained a lot today. This morning we made a very late start as we were up till 23.00 last night watching football on TV - England v Germany. We serviced the van at the nearby Aire in St Calais and then moved on the shortish distance to the city of Blois on the Loire. We parked at the town Aire - expensive 8 euros for 24 hours. We set off on foot and soon reached the imposing Chateau de Blois - one time residence of French Kings and Queens.

Here's the imposing facade of the Chateau. It cost 10.50 euros each to get in - no concessions for old people!

There is a great courtyard at the centre of the chateau.

This is the great hall.

This is the Queen's Bedroom. Queen Catherine Di Medici wife of Henri 11 is supposed to have died in this room on 5th January 1589. She was apparently an avid poisoner and kept her stock of poisons in hidden compartments in the Chateau walls!

The King's bedroom is equally impressive. 

I think this is Henri 111 (1551-1589) Catherine Di Medici's third son to become King of France. He rather fancied his image. Here he is taking a selfie of himself in the portrait next to his bed.

They certainly liked large vases in  French Royal circles - this one is about 1.5 metres high!

We had a look inside the Chateau Chapel.

From the Chateau wall you can see Blois Cathedral and the river Loire. I thought that the Chateau was okay but not a real wow.

On the way back to our van we visited this church.

Here's the inside - nothing special really.

This evening we went out to a local restaurant recommended in the Rough Guide to France Le Petit Honfleur. Ann had deep fried soft cheese followed by chicken in sauce. I had whelk pate followed by fish filet in sauce and we both had Normandy style rice pudding for desert all washed down with a nice bottle of Loire red wine. Very nice and quite reasonably priced at 71 euros.

Today we traveled 47 miles (76 kilometres). We  are at N47.58649 E1.32662

Blois