Exploring the Caves in the Wine Region: Montlouis to Blois
We had trouble sleeping as it remained hot through the night. Got an early start in the coolness of the morning after eating our preordered chocolate croissants that are delivered every morning to the campground by the local patisserie. We usually order a baguette to see us through the day as well. This wonderful service is something we will miss when we camp at home in Canada. Montlouis-sur-Loire is a relatively small town but offers a great deal culturally in terms of wineries and entertainment. This is an important wine region known for its white wine and they offer an international jazz festival every September. It is fascinating to see the caves along this section of the Loire. Caves carved into the base of the soaring white cliffs have been the home to businesses, hotels, families and also provided a refuge for soldiers during the war. We enjoyed a wine tasting in one of these caves- a wonderfully cool environment for us and for the wine cellars housed there. These caves were dug in medieval times. Most of our route today was away from the velo route. Instead we followed the secondary road, D751 that was more direct, followed the Loire and was flatter. This allowed us to make better time and stay a bit cooler. A stop in Amboise was more than we had bargained for. Our intent was to visit Clos du Luce, a castle where Leonardo da Vinci had lived his final 4 years. However, it was market day and we have trouble passing one by. The market was immense and stretched for several blocks. Everything imaginable was for sale there and it seemed that everybody from the surrounding area was there as well. You could buy a mattress for your bed, clothing, furniture, food, cheese, meat, fish,toys. It was amazing. We especially enjoyed seeing the food that was prepared - huge 4 foot diameter pans of paella filled with seafood, sausages, blood pudding stew, crepes, etc. We had also thought we would visit the gardens at Chaumont but decided to press on as the heat of the day was building and we didn’t want to get stuck riding late in the day. The other reason we wanted to keep going was that our goal for tomorrow is to visit the esteemed Chateau at Chambord and since this requires a detour of 25 km, we wanted to be positioned ready to do that tomrorrow. The tourist info woman this morning had recommended that if we saw only one chateau on the Loire, that it must be Chambord. Arrived in Blois after a good day of riding, ready to be pampered after a week of camping. The Ibis in the centre of the old town appealled to us and most importantly is air conditioned. We’ll stay and get a good start tomorrow for the journey to Chambord. An evening walk through the old town revealed much of interest. A wonderful chateau is around the corner and worth the visit.
Camping Peupliers had excellent facilities. We used the freezer that is provided to freeze water in our water bottles for our hot ride
Every September Saint Montlouis has a jazz festival. Throughout the city iron banners have been created of some of the wonderful musicians who have performed
Richard Galliano- one of the 19 rusty sheet metal sculptures on display throughout the city paying homage to the jazz greats who have performed at the festival over the years
