Chambord, Guedelon, and Basillica of Ste. Madeleine

So today we spent a lot of time in the car traveling from the Loire region to the city of Beaune in the Burgandy region of France. We made three different stops along the way: Chateau de Chambord, Chateau de Guedelon and the Basilica of Ste. Madeleine.
The Chateau de Chambord is considered the granddaddy of all chateaux in the Loire. It was absolutely huge. There are something like 365 fireplaces in over 400 rooms. This castle was built as a hunting lodge for King Francis I in the 16th century. However, he kept adding so many more rooms and apartments to it that it doesnt seem like he got to even use it in all its splendor before he died. However, the archetectural design and plan was so thorough and expansive it is really a sight to behold.
Our next stop was in a very remote area of France called the Chateau de Guedelon, a medieval castle under construction today using medieval tools and techniques. Right now they are about half way through with another 15 years to go until it is completely finished. It was so cool to be able to walk all around the half finished castle and see the work actually being done to finish it. Kelly and Morgan suggested we come back when it is finished to see the final product. This stop reminded us of Williamsburg because the workers were all in dressed in medieval clothing and played the role accordingly.
The final stop of the day was the Basilica of Ste. Madeleine in the city of Vezalay where the local legend says Mary Magdelone's relics are kept. When we arrived mass had just begun so we walked around the church where we saw the most incredible view of French land going for miles. It really looked like a postcard, not something that was actually real. After that, the priests were doing communion so we knew that mass was almost over. We waited through the prayers and the blessing and eventually went down to the crypt where Mary's relics were being kept. The crypt is the foundation of the 9th century church that monks built to escape more pillaging from the Vikings. It is said that the Pope authenticted the relics in 1058 and soon after people came pouring into the town to see them. Although the Cathedral was vandalized during the revolution, most of the relics were saved. The church is still incredible to see.
After we left the Basilica, we drove about an hour to the larger city of Beaune and checking into our hotel which is a very French manor house with very quaint rooms. We then went to eat and had the best dinner we have had yet.