We drove to chinon yesterday and arrived at the best place yet, by a country mile!. A 14 century chateau , some parts of it dating back to roman times. Our bathroom is the 14 century round tower with arrow slit and 1 1/2 metre thick walls.
The rest of the house is built in 1689. It has a moat (now dry) and tunnels now converted to cellars, an absolute steal at less than a holiday inn in Melbourne.
I could spend all day looking at the 16 th century oak staircase, at the graffiti from 1789 in the old winery.
We deviated from our 1000 year old or we ain't interested rule to look around the chinon fortress simply because Joan of arc met with the exiled Charles VII there, had a sleepover and then assembled an army and then overthrew the British. Ending the 100 year war. She must have been one tough chick. (betcha she didn't impose a carbon tax).
We are desperately looking forward to a grown up dinner, with the chef preparing a kids dinner at 6.30, then an adults dinner at 8. He is even going to let Edie help prepare dinner tomorrow night.