Fall’s arriving along the Loire River and the Chateaus and vineyards are especially beautiful.  Early 16th century Chateau d’Azay-le-Rideau is on an island and seems to float in its own image.

Lovely to wander the village

and find incredible food – at this wonderful restaurant with our clever guide, Albert, chilling while we gather.

Villandry Chateau, bh’s favorite because of the 22 1/4  acres of beautifully manicured gardens on 3 levels.  The renaissance castle went through many owners until 1906 when an American heiress and her Spanish husband restored the gardens.  The kitchen garden – vegetables – is especially colorful and imaginative while the water garden and sun gardens are more peaceful and meditative.  Spectacular.

Amboise, village and chateau has been a favorite of the French Kings.  This occasional residence on a hill has magical, manicured gardens.

Ambois is also home to Chateau du Clos Luce, home to Leonardo da Vinci for his last 3 years.

Here his patron, King Francis I had him creating weapons of war, most of which were far ahead of their time. In 1516-19 there was no internal combustion engine or source of power for his contraptions. IBM has created models of many of his inventions that accompany Leonardo’s drawings. and decorate the grounds.  This spiral model depicts his version of the helicopter.

Before there was botany, there was Leonardo understanding of plants and animals displayed in his sketches,  The garden below the Chateau contains plants and trees Leonardo had studied and models like this one of a tank and a concept for a machine gun.

The huge Chateau of Chenonceau was started in 1514 and its remodeling and designs were primarily shaped by 5 women, one King Henry II’s mistress, Diane who gave lavish parties and when the king died was thrown out by Catherine de Medici, the king’s wife. Each of them designed a huge garden and both have been continually maintained.  Other wives and mistresses of other kings and nobles later maintained Chenonceau.

The grounds contain gardens and greenhouses that produce flowers and vegetables used in elaborate arrangements and designs in most every huge and opulent room of the castle.

Now off to Bordeaux via high speed rail (201 mph).  When browsing magazines at the depot we found.