Page 129 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - France

DRIVE 10: Valley of the Kings 127

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Les Banquettes Rouges
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A hip but laid-back style and the
architecture of old Blois meet up in
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+BSEJOT "VHVTUJO 126 rue des Trois Marchands, 41000; 02
+BSEJO EFT 5IJFSSZ 3 %&4 03'&73&4 54 78 74 92; www.lesbanquettesrouges.
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1-"$& 36& 45Ŭ-6#*/ -PVJT 9** 7BMJO EF MB 10/5 +"$26&4 "/(& ("#3*&- This atmospheric bar-bistro in a
splendid 16th-century building has
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36& #&3/*&3 36& %&4 +"$0#*/4 good value of its menus, which
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40 rue St-Lubin, 41000; 02 54 74 66 09;
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www.le-castelet.fr; closed Sun, Wed
36& %&4 $"3.­-*5&4 26"* %& - "##­ (3­(0*3& 0 metres 200
36& %6 4&3.0/ 36& '0*9 0 yards 200 26"* 7*--�*4Ŭ."3&6*- Below Château de Chambord with the Cosson
river in the foreground
Lion Ferré, with several 16th-century Blois. At the top of Rue Pierre de
houses. Turn left again on the shop- Blois, look out for the Maison des
ping street of Porte Chartraine, and Acrobates 9 on the corner, so called
right on Rue St-Honoré, to continue because of the little carved figures on
uphill. At no. 8 is the Hôtel d’Alluye 7, its façade. Explore the Gothic-style
built in 1508 for Louis XII’s treasurer. Cathédrale de St-Louis 0, then take
Part way up, turn up the steps on the the Grand Degrés St-Louis steps on
left to cross Rue Beauvoir and find the left to meet Rue des Papegaults.
the Tour Beauvoir 8, a rem nant of Continue to Place Ave Maria before
Blois’ 11th-century fortifica tions. turning left again into Rue du Puits-
Return to Rue Beauvoir and turn left Châtel, which has some impressive
to cross the top of Rue Denis Papin, a Renaissance houses. Continue to Rue
stairway with a fan tastic view of the Foulerie to see the 1510 Hôtel Sardini
river. From here Rue du Palais leads and then on to Rue Jeanne d’Arc. Turn
to the cathedral. Below it is one of right towards the Loire for a walk
the most character ful quartiers of old along the quais back to Place Valin.
DAYTRIP OPTIONS Along the Loir Loches q to end the day in one of
There are four good ways to divide Spend a peaceful day discovering the region’s most atmospheric towns.
the complete drive in this region. To the countryside of the Loir Valley
Follow the A85 from Tours and leave at
get directly to the Loir Valley from from Vendôme 4 to Le Lude 7– exit 5 for Bourgueil. From Chinon, take
the Paris area, take the A10 and leave kids, especially, are fascinated by its
the D760 directly to Loches.
at exit 14, outside Orléans, for cave houses.
Vendôme. To begin a tour at Blois and Pure grandeur
From Le Lude turn back towards
the grand châteaux, stay on the A10. Give a day over to the greatest of
Château-du-Loir to join the A28 for the Loire’s châteaux in a circuit from
Grand cathedral Paris via Le Mans, or south via Tours. Blois p to Chambord o, taking in
Visit the majestic cathedral at Montrichard r, Chenonceaux t,
Wines and tranquillity
Chartres 1 and the charming Old Amboise y, Chaumont u, and
Wine lovers and those who wish to
Town. Continue to Illiers-Combray Cheverny i.
avoid the crowds can truly enjoy
2 and Châteaudun 3.
themselves by visiting the small From Blois take the D764 road to
From Châteaudun, take the N10 back vineyards around Bourgueil 8 and Montrichard, and take up the main
to Chartres. Chinon 9, and then cut across to itinerary from there.
Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under €20; moderate, €20–€40; expensive, over €40