Beauregard, a small, privately owned chateau in the Loire Valley, is well worth a visit. If it were not for two very special attractions it might have disappeared into the jaws of time because it was not built as a château or a manor house; it was built as a hunting lodge for Francis I.

When Diane de Poitiers (more anon) infamous mistress of Henri II first set eyes on Chaumont (an unwanted acquisition) she conceded that it was pretty.

When we first heard the word ‘donjon’ many years ago, we assumed it meant dungeon, a prison in the bowels of the earth but no, the French use the word dungeon too. Donjon means the exact opposite, architecturally speaking. It’s what we call a Keep, a tower in a fortified residence, a last resort should the rest of the castle fall.

Châtellerault gets its name from a château built in the 900’s by Viscount Airaud. Old French for chateau was chastel hence Chastel Airaud.

Devoted fans of Amboise Football Club, have worked for the last two years to mark its Centenary. Events planned including a Gala Match, present team versus veteran ACA players and women's’ football matches will not now take place until next year. Although Covid has sadly put celebrations on hold, ACA went ahead with promoting a Centenary Jersey in the Club's black and red colours. The dates 1920-2020 on the front are in gold.

Thanks to the Saint Bris family of Close Lucé, much is known about Leonardo da Vinci’s life there, but there is surely more to discover? There is indeed.

Visiting Chateau Chambord recently it was a pleasant surprise to see portraits of the King of Poland who lived there for eight years courtesy of Louis XV. In England, the custom is known as a Grace and Favour home.

No wonder Chambord, one of the most famous châteaux in the world, the largest by far in the Loire Valley, features on many a bucket list. Even cynical seen one seen them all Château Chasers, say it’s a must which you don’t really believe until you are standing in front of it.