Chambord

This was the first of the castles we visited. There was a little group of cafes that served huge portions. I think if we had come here later in the week we would have been a little disappointed. But since it was the first we loved it. There were very few furnished rooms- but I actually really liked the big open room flooded with light and there was some of the best modern art pieces- very modern but with a obvious inspiration in history.

This was the little stream- traveling with kids means that you take lots of breaks to just sit and watch the river go by and trying to find frogs or fish (we got both!).

It also means when there is a big field you take time to run around like a monkey.

While we played in this field they were setting up a stage for a series of opera performances to be preformed here over the summer. I really want to go back to do this. Also the chateau is in the center of a big park and there were bike trails everywhere. I want to come back with older kids and do the bike ride and the chateau and the opera (I may have to do that alone).

Notice Coen checking out the double stairway designed by DeVinci- he thought they were spy holes. We were very into spies for much of this trip. Also the boys loved the dragon drain spouts and running around on the roof. We liked the roof the best as a group (the art was my personal favorite). This also may be the only picture of our entire family taken on the trip.

This is some of the art I liked so much.