Calendar Series Introduction - December Snow

This snow picture was taken from the château in the direction of our house.  On the upper left is the church Saint Denis which dates from the 12th century.  Hiding in the fog at upper right is the Loire.

I've come full circle now with my "calendar series" of photos with the intention of introducing Amboise with some of my favorite photos.  If you're new to this blog and are viewing posts backwards in time then you'll find the next eleven posts fill out the calendar.

Calendar Series Introduction - November in the Cave

What Americans call the wine cellar (cave) has an interesting history  in the Amboise area.  The area is rich in white limestone (tuffeau) which has been extensively mined to build many of the châteaux and other local structures.  The caves left behind became popular as homes (these are called troglodyte homes; expect a future post on this topic) and for storing wine by commercial vintners.  The caves ability to maintain a moderate and constant temperature year-round are what make them so desirable.  This vintner's cave on the outskirts of Amboise is one of my favorites for selling quality wines at reasonable prices.  A trademark of Loire valley wines.

Calendar Series Introduction - October Sunset

Sunsets reflecting in the Loire can be spectacular.  It helps when the birds cooperate as well.

Calendar Series Introduction - September rainbow

 L'arc en ciel.

Calendar Series Introduction - August Ballooning

Hot air ballooning is really popular in our area...as evidenced by this snap where I managed to catch eight balloons (montgolfières) at once around sunset.  This day the light winds were perfect for a slow passage over the bridge in front of the château.  Alas, it is not a cheap ride...but surely unforgettable.

Calendar Series Introduction - July Sunflowers

Europe is a huge consumer of sunflower oil (huile de tournesol).  Thus there are fields that seem to extend to the horizons all around the region.  It's a cyclist's dream to ride the bike trails surrounded by these beauties.

Calendar Series Introduction - June at the Pagoda

This pagoda and the pool in front of it are about all that remains of the château at Chanteloup.  Built in 1775 the pagoda is still structurally sound enough that tourists are permitted to climb the stairs to the top.  It is not for the faint of heart however.  Le Pagode de Chanteloup is on the outskirts of Amboise and is a nice park for families to spend their Sunday afternoons, climbing the pagoda, picnicking, rowing around in the boats, and playing with a variety of old-fashioned and hands-on games for kids.

Calendar Series Introduction - May Cycling

Cycling is a huge tourist attraction for the Loire river valley.  And why not?  There is an ever-expanding network of bike trails, a driving public that actually is respectful of cyclists, dozens of château to which to pedal, vineyards and wine tasting options too many to count, and so much flatness !  In the Spring the roads and paths are embellished by waves of wild poppies (coquelicots).  On this bike path they nicely framed a field of wheat.

Calendar Series Introduction - April Sunrise

I actually managed to take this photo from the skylight of our house early one morning.  The center silhouette is the château.  The thin spire to the right is a chapel where Leonardo da Vinci is entombed (Chapelle Saint-Hubert).  It's an interesting quirk of history that he spent his last years in Amboise at the invitation of François I.  His home, Clos Lucé, has been beautifully restored including a museum with models of many of his inventions.  And there are full scale models on the grounds that are designed to educate as well as amuse the kids.

Calendar Series Introduction - March marché

Here's a scene from the Sunday market.  The bird vendor has every imaginable type of chicken, rooster, goose, and other birds I can't even recognize.  It's great fun for the kids, as well as, well, all concerned.  (OK so maybe not so much for the birds.)

Calendar Series Introduction - February Fog

While snow is unusual to Amboise, the fog is not.  Being on the Loire leads to lots of it.  This photo is where the Friday and Sunday marchés are held.  The Sunday market is the biggest in the area and attracts thousands.  I'll post a photo of the market in action soon.  The thin green line is about the only thing that betrays that this is not a black and white photo.

Calendar Series Introduction - January Snow !

I was told by neighbors that this snow last year was the most seen in Amboise in 30 years.  It was about 4 inches / 10 cm.  It pretty much shut down the town for a day.  This photo was taken of Place Michel Debré from the château above.  This is the main square where tourists relax at the outdoor cafés (in warmer months of course) after a strenuous day of sightseeing, cycling, or vineyard hopping.  Amboise is decidedly a tourist town.  Which means we have a lot of nice dining and shopping choices.