Day 5 in the Loire Valley

 [2 April]

It was a last-minute decision to head to the village of Blois. We had already planned on using one travel day on our rail passes while we were in Tours. We felt Blois was far enough upriver that we probably wouldn't make it there by car with Richard and Pauline so off we went to the train station. 

Ah but which train station, that was the rub. The main station in Tours, the one just down our street, is closed for at least the next couple of weeks due to the previously mentioned fire that put us in a bit of a snafu upon our arrival a few days ago. So we had to make our way back out to the suburbs to St. Pierre des Corps.

After a very leisurely morning we walked the 10 minutes or so to the TI office and purchased our slightly reduced rate tickets to the Château de Blois. We had discovered that we could get Bus 5 right across the street from  the TI and in front of le Gare de Tours. Since our public transport passes were still valid, we hopped right on the no. 5. After a short trip with various stops along the way, we were soon at the St. Pierre des Corps station.

Our train to Blois was posted as delayed just a few minutes, but it turned out we left on time anyway.

Only a 40 minute trip to Blois, the ride was smooth, quiet, and stress-free. The station in Blois (pronounced "blwah") is quite unique and reflects the serious attention to cyclists using the train. There's a bike parking area and a circular ramp that allows bikes to be ridden up/down to cross platforms or exit. And scooter users like it too. Whee! Pretty slick.

Although it was a pretty straightforward walk to the château we managed to get ourselves turned around with a stroll through the king's bastion before making our way back down to the street and the entrance to the château. 

Along the way we came across two very nice pieces of sculpture, one a memorial to the soldiers who died in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 and another to the goddess Diana by the American sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington.

From the end of bastion we could see the "backside" of the château so we knew we were close.

Back down to the street just past the TI office near a tea room that looked enticing and around the corner, we found the entrance. Entry was easy since the TI office had emailed the tickets directly to my phone. Ah technology.

If you would like to know more go to the Wikipedia site and the official site.

Perhaps the most notable feature today is the spiral staircase in the Francis I wing just inside the entrance.

A number of pieces of the original château -- it was heavily restored  in the 19th century --- have been preserved.

For one interested in period architecture, textiles and furniture this is a paradise indeed.

"The Cycle of War and Peace" tapestry

the Queen's gallery

view of Blois and the river Loire from Foix terrace 

"So Irresistible" by Laurance Dreano (2019)

Leaving the château we made our way back toward the station, stopping at the tea salon (O'Chateau) we noticed on the way in. We ordered a couple glasses of Cheverny rosé, and Susan tried a slice of their quiche Lorraine, concluding it was superb!

We returned to the station shortly before our train arrived. The return trip was uneventful as we slid through the lovely flat and agricultural Loire countryside. The fun began when we returned to Tours.

Since the previously mentioned fire on March 29 near the main Tours station has disrupted so much local (and not-so-local) traffic, the national railway company SNCF (snick-if) has scrambled to try and make things as smooth as possible for commuters.

As we were leaving the platform there was announcement -- which Susie picked up on right away -- regarding free shuttles back to the center of town. We confirmed that with SNCF staff and were directed back toward the underground access to the platforms. We hoofed it all the way to the end and up behind the tracks and found the free shuttle busses. Yay!

We cooled our heels on the bus for about 20 minutes as other shuttles were dropping off passengers coming in for departures. Once en route it was a short ride into town with our drop off right in front of the Tours main station.

We had to go inside this lovely building. Snick-if staff were there as well, scattered around helping travelers as best they could. The absence of trains was a bit eerie though.

aboard the shuttle bus

We hope to repeat this trip, albeit it in reverse, next Wednesday when we leave for Lyon. Otherwise it will be back on the old No. 5.

But that's almost a week away. For the time being we're just happy to be here, enjoying life in France. 

Leaving the station we walked across the street to the TI where I bought an apron and then made our way up the street to the apartment. For dinner I took the leftover chicken and potatoes, drizzled with olive oil and persillade and into the oven they went to be paired with fresh blanched broccoli. While we were prepping dinner our host dropped by to change the filter in our coffee machine and we learned that although he is French he in fact lives in Lisbon, Portugal!

Tomorrow: We hoper to catch up on some home chores but our meeting up with Richard and Pauline will be the highlight so stay tuned!