Tuesday for towns in Centre-Val de Loire - Azay-le-Rideau

The pretty streets of Azay-le-Rideau.

 

Paging Azay-le-Rideau...

We enjoy visiting the lovely Azay-le-Rideau and not just for its chateau - on a bright sunny day the town itself is a delight to stroll around. I posted this image today on my blog for the region and realised,yet again, that although I have a page for the chateau on my website I still haven't included one for the town itself. I am writing this as a sign of commitment to do so!

A beautiful chateau experience - Azay-le-Rideau

The beautiful chateau Azay-le-Rideau  here in the Loire Valley

Chateau Azay-le-Rideau dressed up for Christmas and free to visit today.

Chateau Azay-le-Rideau  free to visit today as it's first Sunday of the month.

Something else for the weekend of 'Journees du Patrimoine'

Did you know that this weekend for 'Journees du Patrimoine' the chateau at Azay-le-Rideau is FREE to visit? So if you have not made this visit, now is the time to do it!

You can find other offers here

In the heat of the moment - a tale of two restaurants

After visiting the chateau at Azay-le-Rideau yesterday to check out the Christmas decorations we decided to have Sunday lunch at one of the local restaurants that were still open this late in the season. Both restaurants above were offering lunch menus at 14.50 euros but we chose the one on the left as we preferred the choice. When we entered it was empty (not a good sign-though it was early) and took our seats in front of  a 'faux' fire. A french couple arrived soon after then two girls and a dog! Our waitress decided that as it was a little chilly (and it was) that she should put on the small heater at the door. We were well into our entree when I noticed smoke belching out of the kitchen door. The French couple had opted for pizza and as the owner rushed in and turned of the electricity he explained that the oven was on fire! Everyone remained relatively calm even though the smoke was intensifying. I had to chuckle as the cook appeared coughing and spluttering out of the smoke delighted to tell us that the pizzas were ok and duly presented them to the couple. After some discussion we were advised that we should decant to the other restaurant as they had called the pompiers.

So we gathered our demi carafe of rose and our glasses, the French couple took their pizzas and the girls took their dog, over to the restaurant across the road. We were followed by our waitress who suddenly became part of their staff - can only assume that they are owned by the same people. We had to reorder from their menu which wasn't so bad and contented ourselves in the fact that it was actually a nicer place...and warmer!

Due to the reduced lack of choice, the restaurant soon filled up and we all sat watching as not one but three fire-engines and a control van arrived on the scene. It was a little disconcerting for many of the diners who were not aware of the circumstances with one chap asking if it was us who were on fire! He and others were reassured that the squad of firemen had everything under control...it could only happen to us! 

It's amazing what you can cram into a day...

On Thursday I was invited to join friends Cally, Dave and Jane for lunch at one of our favourite spots -  'Auberge du Vieux Port' in Maire. Cally had kindly offered to pick me up around 12.00.

Because of this I changed my work schedule so as in the morning rather than continue with my current project where I normally end rather 'hot and bothered' and a little dirty I decided to do my weekly grocery shopping (I also needed more cement) Before this however I harvested some more strawberries and some cherries to take to our current guests at 'Les Balcons'. This allowed me to check that they had settled in and answer any questions they might have. It also meant a cup of coffee and a pleasant chat with our guests who are, as it happens are frequent visitors to the Loire Valley. It also meant I had used up a little more time than I had planned...

So back to Barrou to change cars as had to take my trailer on my shopping trip (remember the cement). This entails dragging the trailer out of the drive onto Grande Rue and going  to fetch the trusty (?) Honda from the car park up the road, then I was on my way...clock ticking.




Shopping at Intermarche at  Yzeures-sur-Creuse, as usual not enough cashiers for number of customers - joined queue of four. Lady behind me had a plant plus one other item so I let her go before me, big mistake, price for plant scanned differently from marked price...took a bit of sorting out, telephoning, then back to where she bought it...but hey ho its only time! ...clock ticking.


Then to Bricomarche for the cement - straightforward enough - not. I'm sure many of you know the procedure, you go to the back of the store ,place your order,get a ticket ,pay at cash desk then go around the side to collect your goods. Unfortunately the chap before me was buying something from the current list of 'special offers' problem was they didn't have any left - he was demanding it  today as his leaflet said that the offer was still on and he wanted it. Listening to the conversation as best I could ,which was in French, I thought the assistant was handling it pretty well and trying to stay as cool as possible explaining he would love to give him the item today but there were none left - he could make an order and he would still get the 'offer' price but would have to come back.Now I've been that customer and it can be very frustrating but at the end of the day if they don't have any - they don't have any. He eventually agreed and was given the option to pay for it now at the offer price and collect it when it arrived - he was given a chit to pay at the desk. I then bought the cement but and headed for the cash desk in he certain knowledge that the 'man' would be in front of me as there was only one cashier. Sure enough there he was voicing his displeasure and making sure that although he wasn't actually getting it today he was getting the offer price. Two pone calls were necessary to sort whatever the problem was, out...clock ticking.

Eventually got round the side to collect my cement but had to wait as the guys there loaded 12 lengths of wood on to their delivery truck...did they not know I was in a hurry? - of course the didn't - but wouldn't it have been the proper procedure to see to the man standing under the warm sun who's order would only take a few minutes to satisfy rather than load up the van that certainly wasn't leaving anytime soon. I then headed back to Barrou,unloaded the shopping and picked up some blocks I needed from the house to take to the 'project' along with the cement. Only had time to abandon the trailer in the drive and head back down for second shower of the day. As it happens I made it with a few minutes to spare...oh and did I say I also hung out the washing!  

 At lunch we were also joined by Calley's charming friends from Paris, Stephane and Judith who I'm sure enjoyed the 'experience'. After dropping me off they were heading off to visit the chateau at Azay-le-Rideau.

I on the other-hand went back to my concreting for the afternoon before heading back down the road in time for aperos with David and Karen. We then did a collaborative dinner with both parties literally bringing something to the table. Lovely night sitting putting the world to right. 

Rich pickings...

Here is the extent of our purchases at Azay le Rideau on Sunday

€ 2.00 planter from the well laid out stall...

plus € 2.00 small original oil on canvas - I know it's original as when I cut it to fit this frame I spotted the signature(too late) as I was sawing through it!

Posh brocante

You could almost move in, great display. Actually bought something here will let you see tomorrow.

This beautiful slide projector was a bit to rich for our blood at €400.

It was a good setting in the car park by the river.

Also bought a painting ...but NOT this one.

Lucky for some...

The 13th proved lucky for our current Canadian guests at 'Les Balcons' they had a very nice October day for visiting the Chateaux at Azay le rideau and Villandry.

It clouded over a little in the afternoon but not enough to spoil the day.

Church on Sunday...Azay-le-Rideau

The church in Azay-le-Rideau plays second fiddle to its illustrious neighbour (the chateau) but is still worth a visit when you are in the town. Dedicated to Saint Synphorien (?) the church, which has been a protected monument since 1908, is not the most attractive of buildings, with its façade displaying a mixture of styles that appear to be at odds with each other.

 

There has been an attempt to modify the earlier14th  century part of the church to blend in with the later 16th century addition which works by degrees...as if showing the scars of time.

To get its best view you have to wander around to the entrance of the chateau and pear over the hedge but even here it is still a bit of a mismatch.

 Inside the church is pretty enough with its two naves blending slightly better internally than externally, although still displaying their individual Romanesque and Gothic styles.   

Around the alter the are the remnants of very early  frescos.

Its windows are a mixture of old and new(er) with some of them having to be replaced fron WWII war damage.

Where's Joan...