This was our busiest day yet, with bike riding, site seeing, and traveling. We rode in Orleans and along the Loire for about 90 minutes in the early morning, returned the bikes, walked back to our hotel and had a second breakfast, checked out and then drove to Chartes for a visit to the really impressive Cathedral there. Afterward we drove to Versailles to visit the gardens and the grounds, and then drove to Charles de Gaulle airport to return the rental car. After that, we took a taxi to our hotel in Paris, checked in, and then went to dinner. And now I will share the pictures of the day.
Stopping for a photo at a church on the Loire outside of Orleans.
Mark standing by our rental bikes as we returned them back in Orleans.
The front face of Cathedral de Chartres, built in its current image in 1194 A.D.
Stained glass windows at Cathedral de Chartres. All of the stained glass were removed in both world wars to protect them from bombing damage.
The altar with more stained glass windows at Cathedral de Chartres.
View of the vaulted ceilings in the Cathedral de Chartres. The organist played ecclesiastical music for most of our visit.
After a very pleasant and tasty lunch in an outdoor cafe right outside of the Cathedral de Chartres, we made the hour long drive to Versailles.
Standing outside the gilded gate at the entrance to Versailles.
View of the reflecting pool in the rear of Versailles.
Tomorrow we plan to do normal tourist activities in the Louvre section of Paris, which is where we are staying.