Day Fourteen - Les Andeleys and Le Pecq

The AmaLegro is docked in Le Petit Andeley -- the section of town which was founded when Richard the Lion Heart built his fortress, Chateau Gaillard in 1197.  Our guide this morning is Ginnie -- she is dressed in an adorable outfit that speaks "French Countryside".  Chateau Gailliard is visible from the AmaLegro but a bus is needed to get us to the top of the hill.  Ginnie tours us all around the outside area before we enter the inner castle which is in the process of being restored.

King Richard I of England and feudal Duke of Normandy built the fortress in 18 months using 6,000 workers. The Chateau is 300 feet high with views of the comings and goings along the Seine and on land from every direction.  Unfortunately Richard was wounded by a crossbow bolt shot in his shoulder during an attack on the Castle of Chalus near Limoges -- he died 13 days later on April 6, 1199.    Chateau Gaillard was eventually taken by King Philip Augustus of France in 1202 and by 1204 Normandy was made part of the Kingdom of France.  Richard's Chateau played a major defensive role in the Hundred Years War passing from one side to the other several times.  It was demolished at the end of the 16th century by Henri IV --- monks living nearby were allowed to take the stones to repair their abbeys.   The ruins are a wonderful example of this period of time.

Ginnie next leads us on a walk down the hill to the town of Petit Les Andeleys to tour the Church and explore the town.  Our ship is docked just outside town.

Lunch on board at 12:30 and by 1:30 we are on our way to Le Pecq -- just outside Paris.

Tonight is the Captains Farewell Cocktail Party -- where all the members of the crew are paraded through the lounge -- followed by dinner. 

By 11:00 pm we have arrived in Le Pecq.

Another good day on the Seine.

Thanks for Reading.