The Valley of Chateaux

If home is where your heart is then the castle is where the big head is.

Anna Spence original

Bonjour my dear friends it has been too long since I have written to you! I would say that I am sorry for my delay in getting this blog to you but that would be false. I was greatly enjoying the laidback lifestyle of the French countryside where we stayed for four days. Our charming Airbnb was in Monthou-Sur-cher in the Loire valley, AKA Chateau country*!

According to my mother our informed travel guide, the Loire Valley is filled with hundreds of Chateaux. When she originally made this statement I was sure that was an exaggeration, but after visiting the valley and seeing signs for literally hundreds of Chateaus I realize my mother did indeed do her research.

During our time in the Loire Valley we only visited three chateaux. (that’s is besides the countless ones we saw from the road). In having three full days in that region you would think we’d visit one a day right? Never! That would be too simple and what is vacation with out a little challenge? We decided to visit two in one day. Well if we must visit two in one day at least take the whole day. Not in this family! In the course of four hours we visited two majestic chateaus an hour apart from one another and managed to get some shopping done in the quaint villages. But don’t worry we only got lost while driving, like three times. Once again, being calm, not our forte. May I just say, Emily and I have now speed walked through the Louvre, Chateau de Chenonceau, and different chateau gardens (the last we took at a nice jog).

While we do some things with great speed and “compact planning” we also excel at relaxing hardcore. We kind of have two speeds in the Spence family, fast paced intense or major leisure. There’s not much in between. For example, the day after our run through Chateau visits, Emily and I, along with Josh and Melissa, had a day of rest, relaxing in our old country house and doing some much overdo laundry. We even got to enjoy the park near our house which had a pond overlooking the village and a tennis court. Emily and I discovered we love tennis and might come home as world renowned tennis stars.

Be watching on the news for our names (just kidding, we’re horrible at it). The park was also intact with a large creek that twisted and turned through the park so much that I questioned whether or not it was man made. While on a dusk otter expedition, we found eleven muskrats of all sizes living in the creek! It was the most successful otter hunt we’ve ever had!

The greatest highlight of our time in Monthou-Sur-Cher was for sure our French patio dinner parties. Our house was equipped with a perfect patio with a table and lights for long lingering dinners to the sound of French music, laughter, and the beautiful silence of the countryside. I do have to say though that one night the cafe across the park had a band playing American music from the 80’s until after eleven, which we all found quite amusing since no one in that town spoke English.

None of us were ready to leave the country but onwards to adventure! What lies ahead?

*A chateau is a really big French country home, often looking like a castle. They usually belong to the French nobility along with mistresses, and yes the royal family.

Don’t worry!! A blog all about the differences and similarities of the French is still coming. Stay tuned for more exciting travel updates! ~Anna