Chaumont-sur-Loire

An excursion to Chaumont-sur-Loire

It was supposed to be rainy, but on my final day in the Loire Valley, I decided to take a chance and visit Chaumont-sur-Loire, one more chateau.


It was supposed to be rainy, but I took a chance anyway. I took the train from Amboise to tiny Onzain for 3.30 euros ($4.50). Because there aren't a lot of trains that go from Amboise to Onzain, I had to choose carefully. When I arrived, it was raining.	Which way to go? No worries! There was a sign pointing the way. (It says "Walkers toward Chaumont")

The walk from Onzain train station to Chaumont-sur-Loire was level but rocky (about 25 minutes). Half-way there, I could already see the chateau across the Loire River! (The chateau can also be seen from the train.)

You know me--if it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, I'm there!	It's a walk from the ticket office to the castle, but the views are stunning, even on a dreary day. Admission to the chateau and stables only (not the gardens) was 8 euros ($11).

I arrived so early, the castle wasn't even open yet. Doesn't it just look like a fairy tale?	I got to seem them lower the drawbridge to open the castle!

After touring the castle, I also went to the stables. (It reminded me of Casa Loma's stables.)	The stables were quite ornate!

On my walk back to the Onzain train station, I bought myself a present. What was it?	A strawberry pastry! I bought it at the bakery on the street on the way back. It was 1.90 euros ($2.70). Notice I am eating it with a fork from Wendy's I brought from home :) I ate it while waiting for the next train back to Amboise.