Page 31 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - France

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5
1 A verdant vineyard.
2 The old walls of Vézelay.
3 The magnificent Château de
Chambord on Le Cosson canal.
4 Amboise’s bustling central square.
5 The garden at
Château de Villandry.

Day 5 Day 7
Take one last walk around the château’s Indulge in a sweet breakfast of puits
lovely estate, then follow the curve of the d’amour (flaky pastry filled with custard
Loire river to the attractive riverside town cream and rum) at Pâtisserie Bigot (2 Rue
of Amboise (p304), where the gorgeous nationale), and then drive downriver to
Château Royal d’Amboise has a bloody admire the gardens of Château de
history and panoramic views. On Sunday Villandry (p302). Continue on towards
mor ning, Amboise hosts an unmissable Saumer, where Bouvet Ladubay (www.
200-stall food market along the river. bouvet-ladubay.fr) offers bicycle tours of
Come evening, take a noctural ramble their subterranean wine caves, along with
through the vineyards of nearby Château the chance to sample their wines. Return
de Chenonceau (p292). Return to Amboise to Saumur for a night at the elegant,
for a well-deserved rest. riversider Hôtel Anne d’Anjou (www.hotel-
anneanjou.com).
Day 6
Enjoy a relaxing morning at Amboise’s Day 8
Le Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci’s home A leisurely drive through the countryside
during the last three years of his life; is just the way to say farewell to wine
its lovely gardens display models of country. Stop off to admire vineyards
the great Italian’s many extraordinary along the way to the dynamic university
inventions. Spend the afternoon brushing city of Nantes (p299), one-time capital of
up on tasting notes at the wine cellar Brittany. There, spend the morning at the
Cave Duhard (www.caves-duhard.fr); set in Château des Ducs de Bretagne, which
a troglodyte cave, there are bottles from chronicles the city’s rich history. Linger
as far back as 1874. Put everything you’ve over dinner at the storied restaurant La
learned to the test over a delicious meal at Cigale (www.lacigale.com) where the meal
Restaurant le 36 (36 Quai Charles Guinot). is elevated to a masterpiece.
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