Villegongis and Tallyrand's Valençay

Decided to do one of the tours marked on the leaflet - after a croissant from the Boulangerie van - we planned the trip. Firstly we took the touristique route over plains covered with tournesol and grain fields - empty now because of the early harvest. Could see for miles and miles. First stop was Villegongis - a beautiful château - but privée. Allowed to walk in the grounds, and view the elaborately carved cheminées, encrusted with plaques, of carved stones. The little village had an auberge (see postcard), a few houses and a church. As it was lunch-time and exceedingly hot, we decided to stay for the Auberge’s 50F lunch. Hoping to get moules marinière, we were too late for them, so had a salad tomates instead. I had a pork chop, green beans and pommes-four, then cheese (best goat’s) then ice cream (Bill had fruit). After that we fed the little dog a few pieces of gristly meat. Bill wanted to visit Valençay, so after a very tortuitous route touristique, we finally arrived at Valençay, the home of Talleyrand - in which the original prince lost his head. Talleyrand had many mistresses, and nearly as many jobs; he also had a [con]genital[sic!] deformity of his right foot, for which he had surgical shoes made! Pleasant park with a zoo, birds etc. Also a motor museum & pheasants!