Searching for Family and Traditions at the French Table by Carole Bumpus

Author:Carole Bumpus
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: She Writes Press
Published: 2020-08-14T16:00:00+00:00

The Loire Valley

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Chinon and Beyond

Josiane and I cleaned up in our separate rooms—they were so charming—and soon headed out the door and back toward the city of Chinon. Arriving from the south, we caught a glimpse of the Chateau de Chinon—the Chinon Castle—perched on the top ridge of the city that overlooked the River Vienne. The setting sun left a lingering glow of amber that glanced off the ancient walls of the castle and looked much like a golden crown of light above the city. We drove straight toward the chateau, crossing the River Vienne, turning left, and following along the Quai Charles VII.

“You do know the history of this town, don’t you Carole?” Josiane was back in tour guide mode and ready to dispense more tidbits of history.

“Nope,” I grumbled. “I am once again an historical moron. Where are we now?” I was beginning to wear a tad thin and could tell I was missing my afternoon nap. Plus, I was hungry after all that truffle talk. Who wouldn’t be?

“Remember when we first headed out of Paris to Reims in the champagne region, and I took you to the cathedral where Jeanne d’Arc brought the Dauphin, Charles VII, to be crowned?”

“Yes, but we’re quite a distance south of Reims, aren’t we?” I struggled mightily to keep up my verve, but I had run out of steam. I apologize, dear Josiane. I am also trying to sort through my memory of cities that begin with ‘R’ in France that have a connection to Jeanne d’Arc, like Rouen, where she was burned at the stake.

Josiane turned a corner and headed up a winding road to the top of the hill, where we passed the chateau. “This, dear Carole, is where Jeanne d’Arc shed her costume as a peasant and took up the role of warrior in order to convince the Dauphin to become King of France. To fight against the British. Right here! That’s why this place is so important,” she finished with a note of triumph and a flourish of her hand.

At that, my ears perked up and I sat up straight. Josiane drove slowly along the long limestone walls of the fortress. She pointed out some of the buildings inside the fortress walls, such as the chateau, the fourteenth century clock tower, the Great Hall, and one of three remaining citadels.

“I’m sorry I was so grumpy, Josiane. You know exactly what I love and what I’m interested in. I apologize. And are we going to be coming here tomorrow?” I asked with renewed interest. “Will we be able to climb into the clock tower?”

“I think we will run out of time, no pun intended, as tomorrow we have plenty of chateaux to see. Too bad! This chateau does have a marvelous history. Not only was Jeanne d’Arc here, but in the tenth and eleventh centuries, this was the castle where Henry Plantagenet lived and died. Just a few years later, his son, Richard the Lionhearted, was laid to rest in—I’m thinking 1199.

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