A Troglodyte Experience; Getting closer to the Neanderthals

From Catherine's house we had decided to stay in a troglodyte dwelling nearby Amboise so we would break up the journey before heading for Paris. It was interesting - I had never stayed in a cave before! It was done in an unusual style, some of the furniture reminding me of a dentists from the 1900s, other items almost nautical -old wooden sea chests containing the cutlery for example. My first feeling when the slight smell of underground hit me with a blast of cold air was that we were like Neanderthals, claiming the cave as our own! Of course, our funiture, running water and electricity made us slightly more advanced than our ancestors. 

The entire place had a steampunk feel to it, old world mixed with new. 

You can see my bed here, and last it the barn doors that led to the other bedroom. It felt almost like we were living in a post-apocalyptic underground world, gone back to the basics of bare lightbulbs and reinforced walls to keep out the world above. Of course that image faded easily when looking outside to the little patio where we ate dinner and watched the sunset over a glass of wine. 

The little swimming pool helped to dispel the image also. A heat wave was hitting France and in the 38 degree weather the little pool was a welcome relief. 

My favourite thing about the little town we stayed in was the castle on the hill that overlooked us. Especially when the sun was setting it looked incredible. I was itching to explore it, but it was all fenced off. 

After our night in the cave we headed to Amboise for the morning market, planning to be in Paris for the night. The market had all sorts of fresh foods, breads, pastries, meats, fruits and veges. The town itself was also cool, although smaller than I remembered funnily enough. 

The castle was of course impressive, but expensive so we admired it from the outside. 

We were going to stop at this delectable looking pattisterie that Lonely planet suggested, but upon arrival realised we has forgotten our wallets in the car. Clever. We couldn't hang around too long as needed to meet the next airbnb host in Paris, so off we went again, 

We stopped briefly in Blois for the view and a break, and then we were away, destination Paris!