Cognac

Day 16, Today, we drove from Bordeaux to medieval Cognac.

Chateau Royal de Cognac

We stopped at the 12th–century Chateau Royal de Cognac, which had previously been a royal residence. Today, it is the BARON OTARD winery.

Chateau Royal de Cognac

We toured the private apartments of King Francois I, who was born at the chateau in 1494.

The Cellar at the Chateau

The steps we climbed down to reach the cellar of the chateau.

Cognac

Cognac is a type of brandy. To be called cognac, it must be made around the town of Cognac under strict regulations. It is unique in that it is double–distilled. Photo: a double–distiller.

Cognac

Some of the barrels in the cellar used for aging the cognac. Cognac is aged for a minimum of two years and longer for more expensive types of cognac.

Cognac Perfume

Scents are added to cognac to make scented perfume.

BARON OTARD

A BARON OTARD cognac. We had some samples of their very good cognac.

I have put my photos of Cognac on a slideshow. Go to http://www.peggysphotos.com/cognac/ (Slide Shows, Western Europe, France–2, “Cognac”).

Loire Valley

After visiting Cognac this morning, we drove to the Loire Valley where there are many chateaux. We stopped at the Chateau de Chenonceau, called the Ladies’ Chateau as many famous women have lived here, such as Diane de Poitier, the mistress of King Henri II; Catherine de’ Medici, Henri II’s widow; and Louise of Lorraine, widow of King Henry III. The chateau was built in the 16th century.

Marques Tower

The Renaissance–style Marques Tower at the Chateau de Chenonceau.

Chateau de Chenonceau

Another view of the Chateau de Chenonceau which was built over the Cher River.

Chateau de Chenonceau

Fireplace inside the Chateau de Chenonceau.

Chateau de Chenonceau

Inside the Chateau de Chenonceau, the Gallery which was used as a ballroom.

Chateau de Chenonceau

Catherine’s Garden (garden of Catherine de’ Medici).

Chateau de Chenonceau

Diane’s Garden (garden of Diane de Poitier). We stayed overnight in the Loire Valley at a hotel overlooking the Chateau de Chenonceau.

Loire Valley

Day 17, Today we drove through the Loire Valley and visited another chateau, then drove to Paris, where we had begun our tour of France. Photo: A large town we passed. It was raining.

Chateau de Chambord

In the Loire Valley, we viewed the 16th century Chateau de Chambord.

Chateau de Chambord

The Chateau de Chambord is in the Renaissance style and has 400 rooms, 365 fireplaces, and 84 staircases.

I have put my photos of the Chateau de Chenonceau and the Chateau de Chambord on a slideshow. Go to http://www.peggysphotos.com/loire–valley–chateaux/ (Slide Shows, Western Europe, France–2, “Loire Valley”).

Paris

From the Chateau de Chenoceau, we drove to Paris. In Paris, there was an optional tour to the Louvre, which I didn’t go on because I had been there at least two times before. Instead, I took a taxi from our hotel (the same one as before but I wasn’t given a room with a view of the Eiffel Tower this time) to the La Maison du Chocolat to buy my daughter a box of dark chocolate. Chocolate buying accomplished.

Paris

Tonight, we had our Gate 1 farewell dinner. We had to walk a bit from the bus to the restaurant in the rain.

A La Petite Chaise

Our farewell dinner was at A La Petite Chaise, which claims to be the oldest restaurant in Paris––1680. We had choices from its menu. I had French onion soup, filet of salmon with a beurre blanc sauce, and iced nougat dessert with hazelnuts, served with a red berry sauce and, of course, wine. Very good. While we were eating, a violent thunder and lightning storm shook Paris. Lightning struck the top of the Eiffel Tower during the storm.

Tour Mates

A photo of some of my tour mates, altogether a great group to travel with.

Day 17, I flew home from Paris to Los Angeles via San Francisco. Two of my tour mates were on the plane with me to San Francisco (one of them in the photo, left front), which was not a coincidence as they were flying to San Francisco. But what was a coincidence is that our seats were together even though we had booked completely separately. So good conversations.

I really enjoyed the Gate 1 tour of France but wish we could have stayed longer in some of the places as there was still much left to explore at them.