Been there, Dun that!

 Friday, May 1: Orleans

We had been to an amazing experience in Orleans in January 2012 as we arrived there on Pat's birthday, to discover that there was a huge evening celebration to recognize the 600th anniversary of Jeanne d'Arc liberating the city from the English. They were installing the annual teen girl to represent Jeanne in the many events over the year.

So we were not expecting such a wonderful visit this time, but as we stopped at the tourist office, the agent told us there was indeed a May 1 event with the current "Jeanne" arriving at the cathedral at 6pm from a ride about the countryside. So we spent the day having some nice walks and surprises around the city, such a a multi-block brocante (jumble) market, with an oopah quartet.

A really good busker.

And a good look at the Cathedral, which we had not been able to due in 2021 due to the celebration. One of the most beautiful interiors!

So beautiful, it made Pat go a little batty!

However... soon came some frustration... we hung out in front of the Cathedral to see the Joan of Arc from 5 til 7, but nothing happened. Some city workers were messing around inconclusively shuffling some barriers around which made us hopeful, but we finally gave up and headed back to our parking lot camping spot. Along the way we did notice some partially set up lighting stand suggesting the event would be the next day or two. Oh well, qué sera.

Saturday, May 2: Chateaudun

To make up for the little disappointment of the previous day, our serendippity bunny sent us the Chateaudun. Our plan had been to go to Le Mans, but we saw the intriguing name of this town on our route, so told Google to stopover. It turned out to be one of those "how come we hadn't heard of this place?" afternoons.

It was not one of those gigantic and overcrowded chateaux usually visited along the Loire, but was all the more delightful by it's few visitors, manageable size and fascinating history.

The Chateau was the residence of one Jean Dunois, meaning John of Dun, also know as Jean le Batarde meaning the bastard grandson of Charles IV. Through various circumstances, somewhat due to his illegitimate birth, he was able to become an important mediator between the royal courts and the commoners during the hundred years war. It was Jean Dubois who brought Joan of Arc into influence, and accompanied her on some of her most famous exploits. It could well be due to him that France is not part of England today.

The chateau's interior had some amazing tapestries, as well as some displays of tapestry making.

And some far more ancient figures in the stone steps!

And the views from the chateau of the lower town, and through the medieval streets....

Another accidental delight was following a few people into the "Hotel de la Cité" to see what the attraction was. It turned out to be a top quality "brocante" facility, a beautiful bright interior with dozens of bays displaying top quality antiques, furniture, books, posters. Each bay was "owned" by different vendors, but it was obvioulsy a highly curated facility. Delightful!

As we returned to the car, we check Google maps, and realized how close we were to Chartres, so we decide to skip Le Mans and head here for the night and a look round tomorrow. We have been here twice before, but it really is worth another visit. 

I'd better send this out, as it is getting rather long!