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France Trip, April, 2008
Friday, April 5
We left Paris and drove toward Chartre Cathedral. Thank goodness we had the GPS system to give us directions! The cathedral was huge, gothic and beautiful, more airy than Notre Dame (which is also gothic). There was a choir practicing in the cathedral with an organist. The organ was enormous, pipes built high up into the upper wall. We ate lunch at a café right across the street.
A swan swimming in the canal as we crossed the bridge walking toward the Chartre Cathedral.
See how she's resting one leg up on her hind feathers while she swims.
Chartre Cathedral
Beautiful stained glass window in the cathedral
Inside the cathedral
We drove on to the Chateau de la Barre, where we'd be staying. It's located just northwest of the Loire Valley. The owner is a 20th-generation Count, and the chateau is well-preserved and full of antiques. Completely renovated in the spirit of a French chateau, the building's interior walls are done with French fabrics. We ate dinner at the chateau in the enormous dining room, very formal, then had after-dinner drinks in the Salon Rosé with a huge fireplace. Great conversation, a lot of fun. Our room is HUGE and gorgeous!
Chateau de la Barre
Our room at Chateau de la Barre
Our bathroom. The walls between the rooms are 2½ feet thick.