As inspirational rôle models, La Pucelle* (aka Joan of Arc) and her protector Yolande of Aragon who played a crucial rôle in the liberation of France are hard to beat. #BreakTheBias

Although it’s only an hour or so away from Amboise and although it’s been on the bucket list since forever, what with two years of Covid and a winter that seemed to go on forever, the time was never quite right. To misquote the Bible, the spirit was willing but the flesh was weak.

But for Anne of France, daughter of the Valois king Louis XI, the infamous Tudor dynasty in England would never have seen the light of day. Henry Tudor owed his throne to her. A fact he never denied. Without Anne, there would have been no Henry VIII, his six ill-fated wives, Anne Boleyn or her daughter Elizabeth I.

For Amboise to honour French heroes such as General Leclerc and General de Gaulle is commendable. Even more commendable is when locals who are not household names are honoured.

This Post is part The Old Curiosity Shop (Dickens) part Fake or Fortune (BBC) and part Tommy and Tuppence (Agatha Christie’s amateur detectives).

When Louis XI died in Tours in August 1483, Charles, his son, heir and successor was thirteen. At an age when boys can barely govern themselves, let alone a nation, a Regent had to be appointed.

Amboise has always been a favourite stopping off place for travellers from the north making their way south through France on their way to Spain. In 1501 one such traveller was Princess Joanna of Castile.

Philippe d'Orléans was a main player in ridding France of the monarchy. Just thirty-seven years after his triumph, by a never imagined quirk of Fate, his son became King of France.