This is the third in a series of 4 examples of a new mapping tool incorporated in our website . You can use the tool, from Mapometer , to examine The Chain Gang’s bike tours in France, Italy and the UK. ‘Zoom’ to examine features in detail, and select ‘Satellite’ to enjoy ariel views of famous landmarks.
For the third example, I’ve chosen Château Chambord, from our Tour of the Loire Valley.
One of my favourite places to stay on any of our tours is the Hotel Grand St Michel in the Loire Valley. It’s next to the largest of all the Loire châteaux, built by Francois II as a hunting lodge, believe it or not. It boasts a chimney for every day of the year and a memorable ‘double’-helix’ staircase designed by Leonardo di Vinci.
Château Chambord sits in the middle of a hunting park inside the longest wall in Europe, all 32 Km of it. And right there in the centre, 200 meters from the château, is our hotel. Sitting on the terrace in the early evening, nursing a Kir, looking out over Château Chambord, is just wonderful.
You can’t see much of the château from overhead, but the shadow gives a hint at how fantastic the roof is, and after dinner we do actually get the chance to walk round the roof during the ‘son et lumiere’ spectacle.
If you look at the detailed itinerary you’ll be able to see how deserted the chateau and the hotel actually are.
