Well after a very warm night we’re off to tour Chambord. It’s certainly over the top by any standards- begun in 1519 as a weekend hunting lodge by King Francois I it quickly snowballed into one of the most expensive projects ever – 440 rooms, 365 fireplaces and 84 staircases including the central double helix spiral staircase apparently based on a design by Leonardo  da Vinci (the King was a big fan – but more on this later…).  Strangely enough, during the total 32 years of his reign the King only stayed here for 42 days!

The first and second floors contain an assortment of recreation of the King’s apartments and various exhibitions but the roof has a amazing collections of towers and chimneys that look like some thing straight out of Hogwarts.

Mid-afternoon we drove west along the Loire to Amboise. We are staying on the campsite on an island in the river. This is the view from the site…..

Tomorrow we will amble into Amboise ……..