SPORTING.
The lovers of rural sports and pastimes, may find much to interest them in this and the neighbouring departments. The Loire and the Cher afford excellent diversion to the angler, and occasionally to the fowler, being during the autumnal and winter months sometimes frequented by large flocks of aquatic birds. The wild boar and the chevreuil, a small but elegant species of deer, are to be found in the forest; the vast intermediate tracts of arable land are however for the most part but thinly stocked with game.
CHATEAUX.
The ancient châteaux within an easy distance of Tours merit the attention of the antiquarian, some of them possessing historical associations of a highly interesting character. The principal are the chateaux of Loches, Chenonceaux, Chinon, and Amboise; of which respectively, for the gratification of those who feel a pleasure in journeying to gaze upon these sombre and for the most part dilapidated monitors of the «instability of all sublunary things,» we will proceed to enter upon a brief description.
LOCHES.
The vast fortress of Loches,—which is twenty five miles from Tours,—has been the residence of many of the kings of France, since it was occupied by Philip Augustus.
Within the range of its former precincts the Tomb of the famous Agnès Sorel in black marble may still be seen. As may also the dungeon in which Ludovico Sforce duke of Milan was confined in 1500.
The castle, or rather prison, which it is said was founded during the Roman domination in this part of the country, presents some striking specimens of its pristine magnificence.