Mirror, mirror, on the ground...

...Who's got the prettiest castle around? Azay-le-Rideau sits on an island in the middle of the Indre River. The river's flow is controlled to create a slowly moving reflecting pool around the castle. Since the park behind the building was closed (where the best and most famous of views are), I had to try to find reflections in other parts of the river.

The bridge you see is the same one from yesterday's photo.

I took these two photos from the same spot on the river's right bank across from the castle's entrance. Since it's fall, there are hundreds of tiny leaves floating on the water's surface.

Turrets, spires, and chimneys.

She swam the moat

No need to swim the moat at Azay-le-Rideau; there's a nice bridge, and it's not a drawbridge. The original medieval castle that stood on this site has been completely replaced (over several centuries) by the current renaissance residence. The castle is built on an island in the Indre river which is carefully managed to slow its flow, creating a calm mirror-like effect around the building.

Looking back toward town and the entrance to the castle grounds.

Because of the restoration work in the park that surrounds the castle, we were not able to see the classic view from behind where it looks as if the castle is floating on the water. Still, I was able to get a few water shots. Stay tuned.

Room for rest

When you visit the château at Azay-le-Rideau, you enter through one of the buildings that frame the forecourt of the castle grounds. This building is also where visitors exit and where, naturally, the gift shop is located. It also houses the public rest rooms, just through the large doors where the people are standing in this photo.

The building where the toilets are is bigger than my house.

When we got our tickets, I noticed that the price was lower than what was posted. I didn't understand why until we got inside (because I didn't bother to read the sign that probably explained it very clearly). The castle grounds are undergoing renovation and most of the park was closed to visitors. So they knocked a couple of euros off the entrance fee.

And now for something completely different

You may know that line if you ever watched Monty Python's Flying Circus back in the day. Recently I was reminded of it while watching the national news on France 2. The anchor woman has taken to saying, "Et maintenant, tout autre chose," to transition from one news story to another. Whenever I here her say it, all I can think of is John Cleese saying, "And now for something completely different." It makes me laugh every time. I wonder if she knows.

Approaching the sixteeth century château d'Azay-le-Rideau.

 So, I've finished with the photos from our short trip to Burgundy. The day we returned, we welcomed a friend from California for the weekend. We had a great time eating, drinking, reminiscing, and otherwise catching up. She had enrolled in an intensive language program in Tours and had just finished her first week of classes. On Sunday, I drove her back to Tours. We stopped along the way to visit two famous Loire Valley castles: Azay-le-Rideau and Villandry. Naturally, I took the camera along.

Noyers-sur-Serein

The closest town to where we stayed in Burgundy was this amazing remnant of a medieval fortress called Noyers. It's pronounced [nwah-YAIR], which is completely different from the way the town across from us is pronounced. It's spelled the same, Noyers, but is pronounced like this: [nwah-YAY].

We bought food here. Yum.

The town has many historical sites, but it also has a renowned restaurant and deli. We did not eat at the restaurant, but we did buy some food from the deli. Among the specialties there is jambon persillé, or ham in gelatin with parsley. And it was very good.

Behind the store is a picturesque street where their restaurant is.

We also bought some patés and a loaf of whole grain bread. All very good. We walked around the town for a while because, when we arrived, the stores were closed. We had to wait for them to open again to get our goods. And we are very glad we waited.

Very medieval.

Periodic puppy pics

Because she's a pretty dog. She was sitting on the carpet after a short play session. Ken called her name as I snapped the photo, so she's looking at him.

Callie the border collie.

Street scenes

These are just a few views of what we saw on the streets of Montréal (Yonne). The place was very sleepy, although I will wager there is more activity in the summer. I wouldn't mind renting a place here sometime and spending a few days. So, without further ado...

A well and a table.

Somebody's front door.

Vigne vierge (Virginia creeper) turning its autumn color.