Fulfilling any childhood fantasy of being royalty might be easier than you think with a trip to a few spectacular Chateaux in France.

Chateau Chambord

Hidden in the center of a forest is the Chateau Chambord.  If you close your eyes for a moment and envision what your idea might be for a house only occupied for the occasional nights stay or whose primary use would be as a hunting lodge – a castle with 440 rooms, 84 staircases, and 365 fireplaces would certainly not be what most people would have in mind.  Yet, this was the structure that filled the desires of King Francois I.  For a hunting lodge, it is the largest Chateau in the Loire Valley.

At its center you will find a double spiral staircase that was said to be designed by Leonardo da Vinci.  It has passed through a variety of owners ending with the Count of Paris before it was eventually purchased by the French government and turned into the attraction it is for visitors today.

Chateau d’ Usse




Another notable chateau, found in the beautiful Loire Valley, has served as the inspiration for more than one princess story.  This castle is literally a fairytale come to life.  Its image served as inspiration and sparked an idea for the writer Charles Perrault.  The basis for his story Sleeping Beauty can be linked back to the blue slate roof and gothic turrets of the Chateau d’ Usse.

It has been appropriately nicknamed the castle of dreams.  It was originally intended to serve as a fortress, but for many it has become the ultimate symbol of a fairytale.  Its design was even adopted by Walt Disney and can be seen replicated in his famous Cinderella Castle.

Chateau Villandry




Here it is not the beauty of the chateau’s design that draws people to what is known as one of the most visited castles in France, but the gardens surrounding it.  Villandry was built in the 16th century near the Cher River.  While the chateau itself is certainly impressive, its French mosaic gardens are the main draw.  You can experience what is truly the finest example of formal Renaissance gardens in France.  This is a place that anyone with even the slightest tinge of a green thumb could admire and appreciate.

Chateau Chaumont




Chaumont holds the title of being one of the oldest chateau’s in the Loire Valley.  Built in the 10^th century, it was the one-time home to Catherine de Medici, the queen of France and wife of Henry II.  Eventually she was able to switch residences with his mistress in favor of a grander style, but this castle certainly has its charm.  It is now owned by the French government and serves primarily as a museum.

Its English style gardens play host to the Festival des Jardins, which lasts from June to mid-October.   This unique festival allows for the true creativity of individuals to come alive as they are challenged by a unique theme each year.  This past year it was “gardens of color” and previous years it has been “at play in the garden” and even “movement”.  Since the gardens are constantly changing, the festival provides just another reason to return annually for a visit.

Chateau Versailles




Any list of chateaux in France would not be complete without including the palace at Versailles.  I realize that most people are aware of Versailles and its beauty, but there could be no justification in creating a list without including it.  It is easily one of the most widely known palaces in the world.  This was a residence literally created for the Gods.  Much like Chateau Chambord it began as a hunting lodge for Louis XIII.

Over the years it has been updated and expanded upon to achieve the splendor we recognize it for today.  Within the palace walls you will find 700 rooms, 67 staircases, and over 2,000 windows.  Visiting this national museum of history, a true testament to what architecture, wealth, and design can achieve, would be the perfect conclusion to any French Chateaux traveling experience.
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Republic of Ireland v France
Portugal v Bosnia-Herzegovina
Greece v Ukraine
Russia v Slovenia

First leg: Nov 14
Second leg: Nov 18

The Republic of Ireland’s hopes of making the World Cup finals suffered a blow after they were drawn against France in the play-offs.

To make matter more difficult for Giovanni Trapattoni’s Irish side, France will also have the advantage of playing the second leg of the play-offs at home.

Irish fans were hoping to draw Greece but instead Ukraine will travel to Athens for the first leg. Portugal will play Bosnia-Herzegovina while Russia take on Slovenia

Trapattoni had criticised FIFA for seeding the play-offs – Ireland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ukraine and Slovenia were all unseeded meaning they could not play each other.

Kevin Kilbane said Ireland were full of confidence ahead of today’s draw for the World Cup qualification play-offs. He said: “We are confident of beating anyone over two legs.”

Fifa have been strongly criticised over the decision to seed the play-offs, which has been perceived as a clear attempt to ease the qualification of ‘big’ teams like France and Portugal.

Trapattoni described the seeding system as the “death of football”, while Republic goalkeeper Shay Given branded them “disgusting” and “totally unfair on the smaller nations”.
telegraph.co.uk

The weapon is going on display at the nature reserve visitor centre

An old gun found on an Aberdeenshire nature reserve has been identified as a French rifle from the 1800s.

The remains of the ancient weapon were discovered last year in a sea cave on the St Cyrus National Nature Reserve.

Although experts have identified the rifle, it has remained a mystery how it got to the cave in the first place.

The gun will now go on display at the St Cyrus Nature Reserve visitor centre, which is run by Scottish Natural Heritage.

Experts at the National War Museum, in Edinburgh, concluded the rifle was made in Saint Etienne, in south eastern France.

‘Greek service’

Jonathan Ferguson, assistant curator of military history at the museum, said: “The rifle was made some time after 1880 and is a Fusil Modele 1874 Gras.

“It’s a single shot, bolt-action weapon with a bayonet fitting – typical of military rifles from the late 19th century up until the 1960s.”

He added: “Although this particular design was only used by the French army for around a decade, it also saw service with the Greek army, and many years later with resistance fighters in the Second World War.”

St Cyrus National Nature Reserve manager Andy Turner, who found the rifle, said: “Discovering an old rifle is a new one for me, but I realised that the rifle barrel and bolt were potentially part of an important artefact, even though the wooden stock had long since rotted away.”

news.bbc.co.uk