Chateaux de la Loire

This weekend we had our first long excursion to the Loire valley. Nathalie's husband and daughter came which made the trip even more amazing. We took trains Thursday afternoon to Blois and stayed at the Holiday Inn. No joke. It was super nice with a yummy breakfast.
Friday we woke up and went to Chateaux numero 1: Chateau Royal de Blois. A very beautiful chateau located smack in the enter of the city. After we had a nice lunch in town. One guy on our group ordered (mistakingly) intestines and it was hilarious. We then took taxis to Chambord, the huge gigantic castle. It was very beautiful, but very cold, but there were fires going in some of the chimneys. Then we had a drive back to our hotel and then again a nice 3 course dinner. I have started always ordering Salade de Chevre as an appetizer because it't the best thing ever (this trip I've had it 3 times).

The next day we woke up and saw Chateau de Chamont. A very beautiful castle that is supposedly Sleeping Beauty's castle. (I think...maybe I just made that up). Then we had lunch near our next castle: Chenonceaux, the most beautiful castle of all that crosses the river that I remember vaguely visiting as a kid. We had a really good (but too detailed) audio tour and spent a long while just enjoying the castle. Went back to the Holiday Inn (which we have all been saying with French accents-try it's très fun) and had another fabulous meal. Honestly we are so spoiled.

Took the train to Paris this morning and had lunch near the train stop then back to Dijon for another week of classes. Back to my host house to a lovely surprise. Children. 2 of Martine's friend's girls are staying here for the week... The woman who is dropping them off has another child- an infant who hasnt stopped screaming since he got here but luckily he's two young to pass on to a friend. Actually he is okay in the cute department- at dinner he just sat staring at me.... but now he's crying again.