The Château of Chambord is counted as one of the finest specimens of the Renaissance in existence. Here is found that wonderful double spiral staircase so arranged that one can go up and another down at the same time without each seeing the other.
If your time is limited, make up a motor party and visit the Châteaux of Cheverny and Beauregard on the same day you go to Chambord, returning by the Valley of Cesson. In the same manner—that is, from Blois and by motor—visit Amboise and Chaumont. Both can be explored in one day. Both overhang the Loire, and both teem with history and beauty.
Make Tours your headquarters from which to visit the châteaux of Touraine. Some one has said: "Normandy is Normandy, Burgundy is Burgundy, but Touraine is France." It is the home of Balzac, Rabelais, Descartes, châteaux, books, beautiful women and romance.
We lived in an old château on Rue de Cygne. You may have a suite of rooms and keep house, if you wish, and Madame will find you an excellent bonne; or, you may simply have lodgings and dine where you will.
Tours is a good place in which to spend an entire summer. From there should be visited the châteaux and towns of Chinon, Azay-le-Rideau, Montbazon, Loches, and, last, the exquisite Château of Chenonceaux with its lemon color. It recalls Venice, for it is built on piles in the River Cher.
MARSEILLES:
From Tours to Paris, from Paris to Geneva, to Aix-les-Bains, to Turin, to Genoa and the French Riviera—such was our somewhat roundabout route to Marseilles.
It would be difficult to imagine a journey filled with more magnificent and varied scenery and with more of romantic interest.
