Magnificent chateaux in France..I was concerned after spending an entire day at the Palace of Versailles – some would argue the best chateaux in France – I would be ho-hum about these smaller castles in the Loire Valley. But, no, I was quite impressed by the magnificence of Château de Chambord, which is renowned for its stunning blend of French medieval and Italian Renaissance styles. This is the largest of the castles in the Loire Valley, it has UNESCO World Heritage Site status, its park is as

Bonjour. What if the Loire Valley was a lot more than châteaux, scenic bike paths and elegant wines? A few days ago I left my adopted Touraine and drove to the Anjou region to explore a small area between Saumur and Angers. The road trip was rich in discoveries. In Louresse-Rochemenier, a small village, a humble museum and ghosts from the past await. Over 11 million years ago a vast sea covered most of Western France, “la Mer des Faluns.” When it receded it left soft sedimentary stones rich in f