Thursday (Paris to Amboise)...

Checked out of the hotel in Paris and waved 'au revoir' to Chris, who heads to Zurich, Switzerland and then into Italy to meet his friend Sherrie. (Chris and Sherrie are scheduled for a reunion with us in Venice). Metro line 6 to the Montparnasse train station. Slight confusion as the ticket agent tried to send us to Toulouse in southwestern France instead of Tours in the Val de Loire (!!!). Confusion resolved, but leaving barely 5 minutes to locate the correct train. Departed Paris aboard the high-speed TGV bound for Tours. Voite 13, Place 33/36...first class...the only way to travel and for just a six euro supplement to our Eurail Pass. Arrived in Tours, picked up a rental car from Avis (luckily a stones throw from the station), and scooted quickly out of town. Short scenic drive up the Loire River to Amboise with its imposing Chateau sitting above the town. Checked into our beautiful hotel: Le Manoir Les Minimes (big kudos to Jeff for this gem). The hotel is an 18th century manor house. Wide open windows with views of the Chateau and the river. Walked into town for a late lunch at the Bigot Patisserie. Had scrumtuous Feuilletes Jambon Gruyere, which are warm, flakey pastries filled with ham and gruyere cheese. Climbed up to the Chateau Royal d'Amboise, which dates back to the mid-15th and 16th century. The ramparts and towers offer sweeping views of the town below and the Loire Valley. Within thecomplex, the tiny, magnificent St. Hubert Chapel is built in the "Flamboyant Gothic" style...read lots of carved stone tracery. The entire castle was 'restored' by Louis Phillipe...the last Bourbon king...in the mid 19th century. Took a long afternoon walk through the town, including a hidden church--Eglise Saint Denis--dating to the early 12th century. Walked along the Loire and crossed the river to walk along the grassy bank finding a quirky statue looking like Leonardo de Vinci...naked. Definitely bug season on the river banks...the swallows are in heaven. Dinner a short walk away beneath the walls of the Chateau. L'Amboiserie, where crepes are the house specialty--both the main course and for dessert. A local wine (a red from Chinon) with dinner. Jeff's crepe with chocolate, whipped cream, and mint ice cream was amazing. Topped off dinner with capaccinos to die for. Ended the evening relaxing with the sound of a gurgling fountain in the courtyard.