Red alert...

Chateau de Chenonceau is paying homage to its Chinese visitors by acknowledging the Chinese New Year. The New Year this year falls on 19 February and from the 18^th until the 25^th the chateau is decking itself in the colours of China.

A traditional "Lion Dance" will close the festivities Wednesday, February 25 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m..

Why here?..

When we visited Vic-sur-Gartempe last Sunday I took the opportunity to have a look around the church - it is currently going through a renovation programme and to get a photograph of the rear I had to wander behind what seemed like someone's garden to get a view. The building is between the church and a car park with an open outlook to the church. When walking back to the car we noticed the house had a very good stone model of chateau de Chenonceau under the window. Have no idea why it's there but we were impressed.

The ladies' skirts are off...

Had this post 'scheduled' before Susan of 'Days on the Claise' had posted, after having heard that all the scaffolding was down,so apologies for any duplication....she has some great pics...

One of the few criticisms we have had from visitors to our houses here in the Loire Valley over the last few years has been the fact that their visit to Chateau de Chenonceau, the Loire's most popular, has been marred by the fact that it has been clad in scaffolding to some extent or another. This was due to a renovation project over the last three years to spruce her up but the good news is that the work is now complete. So visitors can now view this beautiful chateau in all her splendour. Chateau de Chenonceau is often described as ‘the ladies chateau’ as throughout its history it is women who have most influenced its design and destiny and this influence is there to be appreciated by visitors today.