Europe
the chateau series: azay-le-rideau
In Part 2, let’s share:
Chateau of Azay-le-Rideau
Was it extravagant? YES
Was it original? YES
Was it impressive? YES
But in saying all that, this was probably our least favourite of the chateaux we visited. And not because it wasn’t gorgeous to look at – just in comparison to the others we saw… it wasn’t AS “WOW”.
To be fair, we were there in miserable weather so we not able to explore as much of the gardens as we would’ve liked.
So upon paying the entry fee and walking out of the ticket office… we walk down the tree-lined paths and before us stands an example of early Renaissance architecture, positioned beautifully in front of lake.
Yeah, okay … it is pretty WOW.
Enter the doors to ascend the grand staircases, which is an example of one of the first French examples of staircases which are straight and not spiral. Knowing this little pieced of information is rather exciting for us. We do walk up them slowly to soak up the experience.
At the top, we enter the great attic and look up to the ceilings. The original timberwork (dating back to 1550s) is overhead- and it is basically like an upturned ark. The crowds in this room suggests it is a main feature and possibly the drawcard.
Then the remaining parts of the chateau is like looking back into the “everyday” living quarters.
The study:
The very fancy four-poster in the bedchamber:
The salon which welcomes guests. It is open and inviting especially the rather plush-looking seating. Portraits adorning the red matching walls.
This particular dresser caught our attention – with the intricate level of detail on each draw.
Lastly, anyone for a game of billiards? On those back walls hang large tapestries of a hunting scene. Very fitting for the entertainment room, maybe in those days anyway 😉
When we were done inside, it was time to pop outside and check out the view from behind.
Yeah, alright then! So it is extraordinarily fancy but some more impressive chateaus are still on their way.
Have you visited this chateau?
If you have been here, tell us what you thought here or just leave us a comment.
Azay-le-Rideau is 23 km west of Tours. There is only one admission fee for the residence as well as the grounds.
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the chateau series: villandry
If you have been following our blog for a while, you may remember the post about 8 of the chateaux in the Loire Valley that we shared last year.
Following on from that post, we will be featuring each one of the chateaux in more photographic detail in an 8-part series.
First off the rank is:
Villandry Chateau and Gardens.
Villandry is famous for its architecture and gardens. Possibly slightly more famous for the gardens… and we hope you can see why by the end of this post.
This model layout of the property really helps put the size of the gardens into perspective (relative to the castle).
The castle is the first one we see during our time in Tours so we are immediately enchanted by the exterior. These perfectly symmetrical windows, the rectangular and sharp corners – it is but a mere fairy-tale castle for us.
Once inside, the interior only adds to the feelings of intrigue. Walking from room to room down the hallways… we are immersed into a slice of French history. Furnished with furniture and art from the Renaissance period, it seems like time has stood still in those very rooms.
Who else has walked these very halls? Who has stayed in these very rooms?
Honestly though, every window we walk past, we get distracted! We catch glimpses of the gardens and can’t help but long to be out and in amongst it.
In total, there are 6 gardens that can be explored. There’s a kitchen garden, filled with fruits and vegetables planted beautifully in geometric patterns.
There’s a water garden, a sun garden, a herb garden, the ornamental salons and the labyrinth. Picture Alice in Wonderland and the Queen of Hearts 🙂
Each shrub in it its place, each bush trimmed to perfection.
It is surely the most impeccably manicured garden, we have EVER seen in our lives. But remember, this is only the FIRST of EIGHT that we would be visiting…
Aren’t those gardens simply magical?
Villandry is 15 km west of Tours. There are two types of admission: one for the gardens only and another for the chateau and gardens.
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what happened today in 1889?
It feels like a while since we have been on the blog… (a week to be exact) and it’s thanks to wifi at home being unavailable 😦 But we are up and running again! YAY!
To celebrate and mark the significance of TODAY: March 31 – we will be honouring the Eiffel Tower which officially opened 126 years ago (back in 1889).
And here are 5 random facts to go with our photos of the Eiffel Tower.
Did you know…
- It took 2 years to build the Eiffel Tower?
- The Eiffel Tower acted as a radio antennae in the early 1900s?
- It was originally described as a “monstrous eyesore”?
- The Eiffel Tower is covered in 60 tons of paint, which needs to be touched up every 7 years?
- It attracts almost 7 million visitors a year?
A beautiful Parisian icon or an eyesore?
Have you been and what did you think?
Leave us a comment.
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malta through our eyes: a photo essay
It’s been a LOOOOONG time since we were in Malta, 9 years to be precise.
It was a last minute add-on for our trip to Europe, tossing up between Malta and Morocco and we chose Malta.
And were we happy with our choice? Most definitely! It’s another country we want to go back to.
Malta was such a little surprise package and today we were just reminiscing about it. Subsequently, a little photo essay ensued to be shared. Hope you enjoy it!
Have you been to Malta? Tell us about it!
Please feel free to leave us a comment.
wise monkeys abroad 