TOURS III REUNION
15-20 May 2011
From late September 1961 to late March 1962, eighty students from
Stanford University joined the third session of its overseas studies
program at Stanford-in-France on the bank of the Loire River in Tours,
France (see photos from 1961-62). About 14 of us, plus some spouses, managed to
assemble for a 50th reunion, first for dinner in Paris, then for four
days in Tours, with excursions to chateaux and gardens, artisans and
vinters, the homes of Balzac and George Sand, etc. There were dinners
at bistros in Tours, and time to walk around recalling memories of a
half-century ago. I had not seen any of the Tours III group since
leaving Stanford, but in little time old friendships were renewed and
50 years of experience shared.
TOURS
Stanford-in-France occupied a former hotel on the Place Anatole France,
where the main bridge crosses the Loire River. The building, now part
of the local university, is little changed since our stay except for a
new parking garage under the square. The neighbourhood was rebuilt in
the late 1950's after being destroyed by American bombing during the
war.
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There are still traces of Stanford-in-France under the new lettering
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Bridge across the Loire River. The statue of Rabelais that was in front of our building was moved down the street.
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Start of the Rue National next to our building; the church across the street
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The St. Gatien Cathedral in Tours has a Gothic facade and Renaissance towers
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Stained glass windows in the cathedral
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The Bishop's Palace has become an art museum with a beautiful cedar in front
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Tours Chateau (castle) and the Loire River across the street
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The restaurant where we had our reunion dinner was one building away from the shop where Joan of Arc had her armour made.
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In the old neighborhood of medieval houses, we had one dinner on the square
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The Charlemagne Tower and the Clock Tower are all that remain of the Basilica of St. Martin
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The theatre, and parks with beautiful old trees
CHAUMONT
Our first visit was to the Chateau of Chaumont overlooking the Loire
River. It was the residence of Queen Catherine de Medici and of Diane
de Poitiers, and was restored in the 19th century by the Prince and
Princess de Broglie.
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The interiors have been furnished in the style of the period.
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Rooms of Cosimo Ruggieri (astrologer) and Catherine de Medici
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The Council Room
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Guard Room
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Diane de Poitiers' bedroom, and the King's chamber
Through an art exhibit, it was possible to visit attic rooms full of discards
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The 19th century stables were the finest in the world; magnificent view of the Loire River from the castle
In the extensive gardens, there was an international garden festival,
with gardens on the theme of visions of the future and biodiversity
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My favorite was a house with bathroom, kitchen and bedroom overgrown by plants
A visit to a wine cellar in Vouvray and dinner at a fine restaurant in Tours concluded the day.
CHINON
After visiting a local potter, we toured the Chateau of Chinon which has been extensively restored since our visit 50 years ago
The castle from across the Loire River
The Tours III group at Chinon (with a few other visitors)
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Entrance to the castle
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The three parts of the castle are surrounded by massive walls, with a high Keep in the last bastion
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The royal quarters have been partly restored, with audiovisual exhibits telling the history of the castle
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The castle dominates the village of Chinon, now accessible by an elevator
SACHE
In the afternoon we visited the Chateau of Saché, where Hororé de Balzac wrote some of his books, now a Balzac museum
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NOHANT
The next morning we traveled south 3 hours by bus to visit Nohant, the
residence of 19th century author and feminist George Sand. It remained
in the family until 1961, and has been preserved largely as it was in
the author's time, with such innovations as central heating installed
in 1850. The visit made the person as well as the author more real and
accessible.
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PRIEURE D'ORSAN
Our last visit was to the Prieuré Notre-Dame d'Orsan, where the gardens have been restored as they were in medieval times
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Le Carré des blés (wheat); Le Cloître des Charmilles with grape vines and fountain
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Grape vines, and Le Verger des Pommiers (apple tree orchard)
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Le Potager (vegetable garden)
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other gardens, including Le Potager surélevé (raised vegetable garden)
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La Pergola
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Les petits fruits (small fruits) and Les Simples (medicinal plants)
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COUNTRYSIDE OF CENTRAL FRANCE
The countryside dotted with villages and woods was mostly covered in
wheat fields, with rapeseed and sunflowers just coming up. One field
was orange with poppies.
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There were also the beginnings of renewable energy
