The most beautiful castle in France is first glimpsed as you approach the Château d'Ussé and an astonishing array of blue-slate roofs, dormer windows, delicate towers, and Gothic turrets greets you against the flank of the Forest of Chinon. Literature describes this château, overlooking the banks of the River Indre, as the original "Sleeping Beauty" castle; Charles Perrault, author of this beloved 17th-century tale, spent time here as a guest of the Count of Saumur, and legend has it that Ussé inspired him to write the famous story. Although parts of the castle are from the 1400s, most of it was completed two centuries later. By the 17th century, the region was so secure that one fortified wing of the castle was demolished to allow for grand vistas over the valley and the castle gardens, newly designed in the style Le Nôtre had made so fashionable at Versailles.
As you approach Chinon the road curves to the west to go around the castle. We pulled off onto a small side street to get a look at the castle and ascertain where our lodgings were for the evening. Wendy can be seen on the extreme right of the picture.
Unfortunately, in the short period we were stopped the road was closed and a couple of hundred motor bikes roared up the hill from Chinon. We were stuck there for a significant amount of time but eventually we were allowed back on the road and continued down a very steep hill to the tree lined boulevarde along the Vienne river. We grabbed a few supplies from Carrefours and then headed across the river to our camping area directly opposite the castle.