Azay-le-Rideau is a community to the west of Amboise. The "Azay" part of the name dates back to the
name of a local landowner in Roman times.
The "Rideau" (originally Ridel) part comes from the builder of a fortress
on the Indre river in the twelfth century.
Ridel d’Azay, a chevalier (knight) of king Philippe Auguste, was charged
with the construction to protect the route between Tours and Chinon. Fast forwarding ahead, the current château was
constructed in the early sixteenth century on the same site by Gilles Berthelot, a financier to
kings Louis XI and Charles VIII.
The Indre river protects the Château like a moat. This makes for great photo reflections of the
south-west side in the afternoon sun. It
was fortunate to have that sun on this late February outing.
Ooh how nice! And nice to not see snow anymore. Am guessing you're having even better weather there!
ReplyDeleteIt was in fact a beautiful day here today in Amboise. But you will be shocked, shocked I tell you, that I did not actually take this picture today. But it was a day a lot like today...a spring-like interruption in the midst of winter.
ReplyDeleteMy favortite castle in the world (except at Disneyland of course...)
ReplyDelete'cause it's like you Eric ? ...understated yet elegant ?! (and I'm not talking about Disneyland)
ReplyDelete