Tuesday for towns...Langeais

 

Before taking our Scottish friends to Chateau Villandry last week we made a detour to the chateau town of Langeais for a drive over one of our favourite bridges and for lunch in the town. 

We had a stroll through the town with a quick look at the church before lunch,a visit to the chateau was not on the menu for today.

Saturday on the streets of Touraine...Pl. du 14 Juillet in Langeais.

 Place du 14 Juillet in Langeais.

One of our favourite places to visit - Langeais

This is the little bridge over 'La Roumer' on Rue Charles VIII, in one of our favourite places in the Loire Valley - Langeais. 

Visiting Chateau Villandry and its gardens under a hot sun in the Loire Valley

Guests at the Old Walnut Mill had a glorious, if a little warm, day to visit Chateau Villandry and its beautiful gardens on Wednesday. 

Then they crossed our favourite bridge over the Loire at Langeais to pay the town a visit.

Revisiting Chateau de Langeais...

Here are some pics from Tuesday's re-visit to Chateau de Langeais with friends. We have been back several times over the years but never gone back in the chateau.The town is well worth a visit even if you don't visit the chateau. The church is beautiful and the Sunday market  is very good and it also has our favourite bridge over the Loire river.

Inside the chateau is fairly sparse as it was one which the royals would use only occasionally and would travel to with their possessions and entourage. 

There are two rooms well set up however,the banqueting hall is laid out and the grand salon has the impressive reproduction, in waxwork models, of the mariage of Charles VIII and Anne de Bretagne.

You also get the chance to go up walk along the parapets where you get some excellent views over the town.

The 'modern' chateau sits in the grounds of what was the original castle built by our old friend Foulques Nerra. 

Behind it you can now climb the 'medieval' scaffolding (honest) which is all held together by rope...

and take in the views.

There is a great treehouse, or as the literature calls it a 'hanging shed'...

and you just have to climb it!

Although perhaps not everyone!

There are also play parks and other fun things for kids of al ages.

There are also great views over the river Loire.

Awesome?...

Got a little surprise yesterday when the mighty google.com sent back a photograph I had uploaded on blogger - the result of which you can see above. It was created, or converted, by their 'Auto Awesome' app (no point in understating it!!). Love them or hate them, you have to admire them.

Langeais chateau under wraps...

Visited Langeais yesterday before heading over to brocante at Rouchouze. As ever looking good under a surpringly blue sky...'Méteo' had forecast a rather different day. Took this shot of the chateau as one of the towers at the front is currently covered over due to works...which is a shame for first-time visitors. Though there did not seem to be many around!

 We had travelled up via Azay-le-Rideau so it meant crossing the Loire on one of our favourite bridges, the suspension bridge that connects the town to to south bank of the river. When crossing it always think it looks a little 'Disneyesque' but still love it!

Church on Sunday...Saint-Jean-Baptiste,Langeais

L'église Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Langeais is, in our opinion, another 'must see' church of Touraine. Externally it seems to be cobbled together and in fact it is but this only adds to its interest. The site's first church was founded by Saint-Martin in the 4th century and was apparently the first 'rural' church in Touraine. This was replaced by a 10th century example which has obviously gone through many changes since.

Even to find your way in can be a challenge, this isn't it! You actually have to pass the seating area of the restaurant opposite to a little side entrance. Don't know what the holes in the tower are all about - perhaps some attempts at a repair job?

As you enter there is a rather awkward one step which if you enter from bright sunshine into the darkness of the church can prove a bit of a challenge so be careful.  

This is an internal view of the entrance under the 12th century bell tower.

Once into the main body of the church its another case of finding it difficult not to keep looking up...

...the detail is stunning.

The altar is located in what seems like a strange place in the passageway leading to the 11th century choir and apse.

You have to admire the detail around the internal arches.

This window dominates the light and at first seems rather garish when you first catch a glimpse. 

  

We have visited the church a few times now and would recommend it.

Where's Joan?...

Externally its like having three churches for the price of one!

                              

Brocante number II... Langeais

Yesterday, as we were visiting a friend in hospital in Tours and it was such a lovely day we popped over to the brocante at Langeais. It's a favourite place of ours - we love the way the chateau 'lords' over the town and the approach over the bridge on the Loire river.

We always think the towns and villages of the Loire  look so much better when there is a lot of people about.

It was a large affair... below is our favourite item though do not understand the significance of the rifle butt.