Day 6: Loire Valley (Angers, The Troglodytes, Joan of Arc)

Well, we've entered the Loire so we're going to see some of France's finest castles. Since we're a few days behind, and it's already 11:22 pm, we'll make it a pictorial blog with just a few words.

First port of call was Angers  --  pronounced 'On-zhair'.  It's not anything like the English word "anger" (which was an "in-bus" joke).

Obviously, there were a lot of Collingwood supporters around ...  Go Pies!

One of the more impressive bridges across the Loire River ...

Angers Cathedral ...

A rather gruesome relic ...

Angers Chateau  –  a fortress, a royal residence, a military enclosure and a prison ...

We saw "The Apocalypse Tapestry" here.

Looking on to a rather spectacular garden ...

Chateau de Saumur ...

          ... which overlooked the Loire River

The Troglodytes are the cave-dwellers.  The entrances to their homes were clearly visible from the roadside as we travelled Chinon.

In Chinon, we saw the fortress where Joan of Arc met with the Dauphin (the title given to the heir apparent to the throne).  At the age of 16, Joan went to the Dauphin to tell him he had the right to reign and he should give her control of the army.  The Dauphin dressed in disguise, but she was still able to pick him in the crowd.  Can you imagine a 16 year old having that kind of courage today?  Go and see the film!

Statue of Joan of Arc trampling two English soldiers.