Ten hours on the French highways and the Barefoot Blogger is in the Loire Valley.
Join me on an adventure into the heartland of France–a Loire Valley tour. Along with my “partner in crime” Nancy McGee from “Absolutely Southern France” destination management company (travel advisor.) Our challenge is to visit as many chateaus and vineyards as we can cram into three days in the Loire Valley, plus two travel days.
Day One: Sete to Amboise, via Clermont Ferrand
Starting out from Sete, we drove non-stop to Clermont Ferrand , crossing the Millau Viaduct.
Millau Viaduct
The home of Michelin Tires, Clermont Ferrand shows its rich heritage with impressive buildings and magnificent St. Pierre Cathedral.
Clermont Ferranc
Clermont Ferrand
Loire Valley Tour: Cityscapes
Wish we’d had more time to see the city, especially the Cathedral. Here are some of the picture-perfect scenes that are “oh, so French.”
Apparently, the town’s favorite boulanerie
… and here’s why …
…and especially this…
One very special stop in Clermont Ferrand was the artisan Fromagerie Nivesse. Nancy visited there recently with a tour group and she raved about the selection and quality of the cheeses. She was so right! In fact, since tasting their 36-month aged cheeses, I’m hooked!
Look at the aged goat cheese! Yes, the dark brown logs of cheese
Follow the tour!
3 Days in the Loire Valley: Amboise
3 Days in the Loire Valley: Wine Caves and Parties
3 Days in the Loire Valley: Château Clos Lucé and Leonardo Da Vinci
Loire Valley: Château Villandry and Living Large
Categories: Around France, Blog, Clermont Ferrand
Beautiful photos Deborah!
Thank you, Joan. It was a beautiful place to visit and photograph. A “must” visit in France — among so many other places! How to choose?!
Oh, you were traveling from Sete to the Loire Valley. I wondered why Clermont-Ferrand (a typical industrial town in the Auvergne) was mentioned under the headline “Hanging out in the Loire Valley”.
Wonderingly,
David Terry
Yes, exactly, David. I was traveling with my friend, Nancy McGee of Absolutely Southern France Tours out of Sete and she had recently visited the cheese shop in Clermint-Ferrand. She thought it would be a good stopping place for us. It definitely was!
Fantastic pictures as usual and it is only morning here and now I am so hungry after viewing your food shots!!!
I finally had so much cheese I had to stop. Only salads for me today. Thinks my of you guys!