Typical big skies and wide open spaces on the road across to ManthelanContrary to the rather grey weather forecast, today was one of those brilliantly clear, sunny winter days. We headed off to Saumur via Mantelan, Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine and to Nohant-en-Touraine, where we turned off the direct route via Ile Bouchard to Saumur and made our way through Saint-Epain and down the very pretty manse Valley to Crissay-sur-Manse. – one of the 'Plus Beaux Villages de France'. France has 151 villages in this category.
Church@Crissay-sur-Manse. Described as one of the 'Plus Beaux Villages de France' 
The château@Crissay-sur-ManseThen on through Panzoult, Cravant-les-Coteaux to Chinon, where I took some pictures of the old town and the château above along with the reflections in the Vienne. All the photos have almost improbably deep blue sky.
Chinon's old town and château mirrored in the Vienne
The Vienne and the gatehouse entrance to the château
Work continues on restoring the château – the scaffolding has now been removed from the central part of the château
Chinon to the west of the châteauThen onto Saumur where we arrived at Le Pot de Lapin around 1pm just perfect timing for lunch. (See tomorrow’s posting)
Time for lunch
