Simply Irresistable - France's Loire Valley - Castle Country

So glad to be able to join Anita

from Castles Crowns and Cottages

for her third and final

Simply Irresistible Party

which this year takes us outside of Paris

into the rest of France, all of which is

Simply Irresistible!

The Loire Valley in France is filled with more

than 300 chateaus and castles,

what could be more dreamy that to visit

this spectacular area.

This is what every princess dreams of,

castles, moats, towers...

For someone who loves architecture almost as

much as she loves food, having the

opportunity to travel here was a

dream come true.

Our friends, the Harlines were the directors

of BYU study abroad and they invited us

to come visit them in Paris and stay with

them and then spend a week traveling 

with the students to visit the castles

and chateaus.  Craig new I would love this.

This is the spectacular

Chateau de Chambord.

You can't help but be struck by the

beauty of the roofline of this spectacular

castle which was built by King Francois I.

There are 282 fireplaces in this castle with

440 rooms.  Having loved watching Downton Abby,

can you imagine the staff it would have taken to

run a place like this?

This little princess would have liked a room up on the

top of this.  I don't remember what building this

was from the trip, but it is fabulous.

The size of these buildings are so immense.

Of course most are not filled with furniture

anymore, but the architecture still delights.

I don't remember the name of this one, but I love how

it sits right on the river.

(Sarah from Hyacinths for The Soul

reminded me it is Chenenonceau - thanks

Sarah!)

These places have lasted for so many years

and are still awe inspiring.

This shot hardly does this justice but this 

is the Chateau de Usse which was the inspiration

for Sleeping Beauty's Castle.  

I want to be an architect during this time period!

How filled with fantasy and whimsy they are.

Of course I can't do a post on Paris without

a little chocolate thrown in.  This was our breakfast

several days from a little pastry shop right

by the apartment

Chocolate Chocolate Eclairs and Chocolate Napoleon.

We decided to spring for lunch at the

Eiffel Tower Restaurant.

(They lived just a couple of blocks

away from the Eiffel Tower)

I chose this Lobster Salad.

The presentation and atmosphere 

were incredible.  Lunch is always

a great way to try out some pricey places.

I think this was a Lobster Bisque that my

hubby ordered.

And as always we had to try out

several desserts, just because.....

Yes, this little princess was living a

fairy tale by being invited to come along and

visit some of the fantastic chateaus and castles

of the Loire Valley and she is happy to share

this with

Anita's Simply Irresistible Party

and

Tablescapers Oh the PLACES I've Been

Just because I want to make you drool and inspire you

to go to France!

(Best macaron I have ever had from Angelinas - yes it

was huge!)

May the lights of Paris (and France) never dim!

And may you have an opportunity to visit

there!!!

Amour

I will also be posting with

Oh The PLACES I've Been