Took the bikes out today and rode for over 20 kms. My bones feel it tonight!! But we visited the most extraordinary castle!!! A real castle of a King built in the 13th century and still standing... walls, ceiling, turrets and towers, 4 stories high! It survived the French Revolution (where so many great things were torn down or just simply destroyed if they had and sign of 'wealth'), and it survived the war! There was the King's chamber (and chamber potty) and Queen's chamber along with all of her Ladies in Waiting who each had a 'room' with their husbands... and grand banquet halls with huge fireplaces at either end. They had their own huge chapel in the castle, and the 'chosen' priest lived at the castle, too. In fact, at one point, something like 400 people lived in the castle, what with servants, and guardsman, and stables full of horses and cooks and gardeners, builders, painters, craftsmen, and the Royal Courtiers, etc. And it was built by a King I have never heard about... King Rene d'Anjou!

We learn something new everyday!