Sunday 9th August

Today we drove in our trusty Fiat 500 just 17km along the wide and flowing Loire River to our first ever Loire Valley Chateau at Chambord located on a small tributary of the Loire and surrounded by lawns, gardens and forests totalling 5440 hectares, the largest enclosed forest park in Europe and a national game reserve with wild boar and deer roaming free (we didn’t see either!)

Chambord Chateau in the Loire Valley. Renaissance palace and "hunting lodge" for Francis 1 King of France and the C18th home of the post-Napoleonic aristocrats who ruled in the C18th
Chambord Chateau in the Loire Valley. Renaissance palace and “hunting lodge” for Francis 1 King of France and the C18th home of the post-Napoleonic aristocrats who ruled in the C18th
Chambord Chateau closer view
Chambord Chateau closer view
Chambord Chateau - bewildering array of towers on the roofline of this amazing building
Chambord Chateau – bewildering array of towers on the roofline of this amazing building

The Chateau was initiated in 1519 by Francis 1 King of France following his victories in Milan and inspired by the influence of Renaissance architecture in Italy. It was conceived initially as a hunting lodge but has ended up a combination of  moated fortress,  fairy tale palace, grand country estate and royal dwelling for the post-Napoleonic aristocratic rulers of France prior to democracy ruling. There are 426 rooms, 282 huge fireplaces and 77 staircases and the furnishings run from C16th to the C18th with some modern installations. Only a relatively small number of rooms are furnished but these still take a bit of wandering around to see how it all works. There is a separate chapel, an impressive English garden,  vast lawns all around but no fountains. Thousands of tourists are well catered for and the Chateau is large enough for everyone to enjoy without too much crowding.

Extraordinary double spiral staircase inside Chambord Chateau; remarkable design work
Extraordinary double spiral staircase inside Chambord Chateau; remarkable design work
detail on one of the umpteen towers on the roof of Chambord Chateau on the Loire
detail on one of the umpteen towers on the roof of Chambord Chateau on the Loire
Chambord Chateau. I was named after two kings after all..
Chambord Chateau. I was named after two kings after all..
Painting of Marie Antoinnet ..Let them eat cake!
Painting of Marie Antoinnet ..Let them eat cake!
and still more towers at Chambord
and still more towers at Chambord

The most amazing impression is the incongruous set of towers on the roof line, all jumbled together and competing. I have not seen anything quite like it before. An impressive set of ancient carriages completed the ensemble.

One of a number of Chateau Chambord carriages and landaus
One of a number of Chateau Chambord carriages and landaus

After a few hours of chateauing we took off again in the Fiat for the central French city of Bourges which once again has a UNESCO recognised historic Gothic cathedral. You may have realised by now that the Gothic life of the church is an insatiable thirst of mine.

Bourges is an ancient city of similar size and lineage to Blois with many very old churches and half-timbered homes and some classical domestic C15th and C16th architecture and housing, narrow lanes and beautiful perspectives.

Ancient stepped and covered street joining two levels in Bourges old town
Ancient stepped and covered street joining two levels in Bourges old town

The Cathedral of St Etiennes  in Bourges is in one word magnificent. It’s massive bulk is supported by double flying buttresses and towering pillars inside.

Vast, high, complex and powerful ..St Etienne's Cathedral in Bourges is a beautiful statement of pure Gothic architecture.
Vast, high, complex and powerful ..St Etienne’s Cathedral in Bourges is a beautiful statement of pure Gothic architecture.
Bourges interior very restrained and dignified
Bourges interior very restrained and dignified
Ancient clock in Bourges Cathedral of St Etienne
Ancient clock in Bourges Cathedral of St Etienne
high and lofty stained glass in Bourges Cathedral of St Etienne
high and lofty stained glass in Bourges Cathedral of St Etienne
Gorgeous stained glass rose window in Bourges Cathedral of St Etienne.
Gorgeous stained glass rose window in Bourges Cathedral of St Etienne.

There is a deep and pure simplicity in the Gothic structure with some truly beautiful story-telling stained glass windows and a very straight forward treatment of the high altar and pulpit without, I am pleased to say, any Baroque or Rococo treatment at all.  It was a journey of over 100kms each way but I am pleased we made the effort to join many others in sensing a deep spirituality and peace in this place on a Sunday afternoon.