Tours-Savonnières-Villandry-Azay-le-Rideau-Bréhémont
With a little extra sleep and a homemade breakfast in our tummies, we headed out for an unhurried day of châteaux-ing. My plan was to spend an easy 39 km in our saddles, stopping wherever our wheels fancied. It took Superman a little time to adjust to this plan, as an American, he likes to set a goal, and go, go, go.
When I suggested we stop a mere 10 km into the ride in the charming village of Savonnières, he was less than enthusiastic. That’s when I decided that our motto of the day (the trip?) would be: “What would the French girls do?” 
Obviously we stopped…although not for a coffee, and looked around. And so the day unfolded with numerous stops and a slow meander through the stunning gardens of Villandry.
We meandered so slowly, that we almost missed lunch, which set Superman’s heart aflutter and resulted in a surprising stop at l’Etape Gourmande. From then, we were goners, and the day became all about lunch. 
From lunch it was all downhill to Azay-le-Rideau, an attractive town with a handsome boutique hotel, but disappointingly, the château itself is under extensive renovation. 
While it looked like this on our first visit years ago: 
It looks like this today, and will, until 2017. 
My advice: Château de l’Islette, A-l-R’s little sister, and just 3 km away… 
We ended our day with a final 20 km ride and picnic on the riverbank of a picturesque hamlet called Bréhémont. 
365+ Things I Love About France 
Words fail me right now… Wow! and, I want to go. :o)
Oh, and yum!
Yum, indeed. That lunch was to die for… getting ready for stage 4 of the Tour de la Loire…thanks for following along.
Thanks for blogging after your long day – allows us couch potatoes to live it vicariously. Take care as the temperature rises over the next few days
I am indeed one very lucky gal. x
I want to remember every little bit of this 50th birthday ride. Still wishing you were here, but hoping things are moving along in Annecy.
Delicious food, gorgeous gardens, beautiful chateaux, and good friends…what more could a person want? Sounds wonderful, Nancy!
I am an indeed one lucky gal. x
What a perfect day! I do love Villandry – it is interesting on the inside and has gorgeous gardens! A bit disappointing Azay-le-Rideau but I’m glad you found a good alternative 🙂
And a good lunch makes up for a lot of things!
A good lunch does make up for a lot of things, that’s for darn sure!
Bravo! We recently did a chateaux-hop visit to the Loire – quelle spendeur!
It is so fun, especially on a bike.
Bien bien !!! du vrai tourisme à la française ….. j’aurais bien partagé ce déjeuner qui me semble si délicieux ! A plus tard …
Il a été un déjeuner fantastique … mais you are going to have to roll me out of France, et pas sur un vélo! Fruit and tea tomorrow!!!
Beautiful Nancy! You are inspiring me to get out there and visit that part of France.
Oh, my goodness, we stopped at the château that inspired Sleeping Beauty’s castle today. You have to bring your daughter (I know she’s 11, but…) Was a great, corny, very French tour, but well worth the €14.
As I was reading this Mrs Sixwheeler was busy cooking my supper; I showed her the pictures and she said “I’m afraid yours isn’t going to be like that my Lovely”. It looks like a wonderful meal but if you carry on lunching like that you’ll go home the size of a barrage balloon! Mine will be good too (in case Mrs S sees this!).
I’m very sure Mrs. Sixwheeler is a fantastic cook. Meanwhile, yes! Even with biking between 45-80 km per day I feel like I’ve gained 3 kilos. So not fair. Tomorrow it’s just fresh apricots and berries, and a handful of almonds…that’s before the gastronomic meal I have us booked into at Fontevrraud-l’Abbaye…I’m gonna have to buy new clothes by the end of the trip!
A group of us used to go trekking in the Alps each September yet every year I managed to put on weight. Don’t fight it, relax and enjoy it.