Arrival in Saumur

Saumur is one of the lesser known small towns in the Loire Valley, with its own chateau rising high above the town and river. Our accommodation - a former coach relay station  - was built in 1721 and renovated in the style of that era. Our host, Romain, could not have been more charming and welcoming. A visit to the Fontevraud Abbey and the Chinon chateau gave us all a history lesson of the middle ages which was exceptionally interesting - especially the tale of Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine who was first Queen of France then Queen of England after a divorce which did not cost her her head. Those must have been interesting times. We welcomed two more couples who joined our group, including the highest bidders for the one-week tour donated by Slow Tours to the Queensland Premier's Flood Relief Appeal. They arrived from their Air Austral flight (also donated) in good form and eager to discover the Loire valley.