Kenneth Clarke, in his book Civilisation, raves over Chartres. The first cathedral in France dedicated to the Virgin Mary is, he said: ‘The epitome of the great awakening of European civilisation’.

Who could possibly resist the charm of the beautiful old Clock Tower? It never fails to work its magic. Small wonder so many famous artists have painted it. It has two square storeys and a hexagonal bell tower.

Château Candé is one of the unexpected delights of the Loire Valley, especially for English tourists because this is where they lost their King to love. This is where Edward VIII married Wallis Simpson, the woman for whom he gave up everything, his Crown, his country, his family, his very identity of who he was and his place in the world. He seems never to have regretted it. For some, such as he, love comes only once.

Thursday 1 July 2021 was one of those days when living on one of the main roads through Amboise has its compensations, especially when the world famous Tour de France passes your front door. The whole street turned out to cheer them on.

The Leonardo da Vinci Painter and Architect Galleries at Château du Clos Lucé, the latest initiative in the Saint Bris mission to keep the memory of the Master alive and well are an absolute triumph. Very impressive. Awesome in fact. They by far exceed expectations.

Limoges can be explored on foot. The Art Deco station built in the 1920s is grand, as is the Town Hall. Limoges Cathedral has a rare Black Madonna and Child.

For the last hundred and fifty years or so, visitors to this ancient and beautiful church have pondered over a sculpture of ‘the drowned woman’. Now, thanks to Anna Baydova’s awe inspiring, meticulous research they ponder no more.

Did the Château really have lions? Hard to take in, but, yes. You do wonder how they got here and how they were they fed along the way. The danger to life and limb alone beggars belief.