By no stretch of the imagination is Amboise a run of the mill French town. In fact, for its size, it’s extraordinary. It has: not one, not two but three fabulous chateaux; the mighty Loire thundering under a very fine bridge; a museum; an art gallery; two important works of art by lifelong friends Max Ernst and Sandy Calder; shops specialising in lace, soap and cheese; a traditional shoe mender; a chap who makes walnut oil and then there’s Bigot which identifies Amboise as much as its famous châteaux.

Every animal in Beauval Zoo is mesmerising, few more so than the rhino, a huge, lumbering, creature whose mmwonk, mmwonk grunting makes it strangely endearing, reminiscent of a cat’s purr.

The habits, the how’s, when’s, why’s and where’s of this enchanting bird differ according to which source you read. Some say it lands now and again, some say not. Some say it’s the fastest bird in the word, others dispute it.

Known as The Common House Martin, there is nothing common about this beautiful bird. Because they are so attractive, they are welcomed, or at least tolerated, by humans when their house is chosen for nesting (hence their name).

King Edward III of England, who started the Hundred Years War with France (more accurately one hundred and eighteen) founded the Chivalric Order of the Garter. The duke of Burgundy who supported the English in their wars against France founded the Chivalric Order of The Golden Fleece.

Joan of Arc Day of is celebrated in France the second Sunday in May. Rightly so. Many of our heroes and heroines turn out to have feet of clay but not Joan who gains in stature the more we know about her. The fate of France was decided in the Touraine where Joan’s epic journey started. Chinon, Orléans and Loches played a crucial part in its history.

This image needs no introduction. It’s the Virgin Mary with the baby Jesus sitting on her mother’s lap in a very awkward position that’s for sure. It may be a trick of the light but it looks as if Saint Anne’s head was added later, it seems somehow detached as if she is a figment of Mary’s imagination or a ghost but if art is anything, it’s subjective.