Gail Schulz

1 August 2015

Day 8 - Azay-le-Rideau to Montsoreau

Our second to last day on the Loire covers the last of the Château Explorer route. We backtrack slightly to take in Château Villandry before following the Loire down to the junction with the Indre and on to Montsoreau at the confluence of the Vienne and the Loire.

Aside from a small pinch coming out of Azay-le_Rideau, it is another very gentle day in the saddle as you'd expect following the course of the river. There should be ample time to explore if you haven't succumbed to ABC (another bloody château) syndrome.

Route

Map of the route

Stay and Eat

Domaine de Mestré was our bucolic idyll for the night. We stayed in the converted coach house which is beautifully restored. Dining on the terrace in the evening was tranquil, with excellent food supported by attentive services. House made preserves and local baked goods made for a great start to the following day.

See and Do

Château Villandry is the highlight of the day. The manicured grounds and in particular the extraordinary parterre kitchen garden is the draw card here.

The view standing under the deep shade of a trellised grape vine overlooking a parterre garden with a stone chateau in the background — Château Villandry and the Kitchen Garden from the terrace

Man standing in an avenue of trees — Château Villandry Grounds

A view of the parterre gardens taken from the top of the chateau between stonework — The Kitchen Garden taken from the Château

Looking down a winding internal staircase — Château Villandry

Road sign also showing the cycle route directions in front of a field and trees — Turn right for Montsoreau and the Vers la Loire à Vélo

A layered chocolate desert on a biscuit base with a mango parfait in the background — Desert on the terrace at Domaine de Mestré