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Photo du Jour: Cat on a Cool Slate Roof in Amboise, France

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A ginger and white-colored cat peeks out the window of a top-floor apartment in the Loire Valley town of Amboise. In the background, the spire of the Saint Hubert Chapel (Chapelle-Saint-Hubert) punctures the sky. The chapel is located on the grounds of the Château Royal d’Amboise. It’s believed that Leonardo da Vinci’s remains are buried there.

But back to the curious cat… Shawn and I had our first introduction to this chat curieux a few weeks ago. We were sitting at our dining table, enjoying breakfast, when we saw a flash of orange and white fur go by. We live on the second floor (third-floor American), so we were surprised to see a cat running inside the gutters of our building, high above the street below.

A few weeks later, Shawn was opening our wooden shutters when he noticed the cat once again. This time, the furry fellow bobbed in and out of the neighbor’s dormer window—much like a bird on a cuckoo clock.

During the five months we’ve lived here, we haven’t learned the cat’s name, nor met his humans. He’s just one of the animated characters living in our new hometown of Amboise.

Where in the World?

Photography & text © Tricia A. Mitchell. All Rights Reserved.

Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

About the author

Hi! My name is Tricia Mitchell. I delight in telling stories about my slow travels through more than 65 countries. Some of my highlights have included sharing meals with locals in Armenia, Cambodia, and Tunisia; sipping sparkling wine with French cousins in Alsace; milking goats in a sleepy Bulgarian village; and training with a Japanese mine-clearance team in Laos. My husband, Shawn, and I are based in France’s Loire Valley.

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14 responses to “Photo du Jour: Cat on a Cool Slate Roof in Amboise, France”

  1. HL fotoeins Avatar

    An actual location to Davinci’s grave is what got me very interested, until I saw the cat 😻 As I write, I’m on travel day 32 of 90, from Greifswald to Bamberg. I passed through Heidelberg on travel days 5 and 6, and she was as beautiful as I last saw her 🫶🏽

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      Hi Henry, great to hear from you. Indeed, Leonardo spent the last three years of his life here in Amboise, in a small château called Clos Lucé: https://vinci-closluce.com/fr I enjoy wandering Amboise’s streets, wondering what this lovely stretch of land along the Loire River looked like during Leonardo’s time.

      Speaking of special places, I’m glad you spent a bit of time in Heidelberg. You must’ve been there not long before the flooding? Our last visit to HD was in 2019, so Shawn and I would love to get back soon to see our friends and revisit our favorite eateries (a Lebanese restaurant comes to mind!). Will you be visiting other countries during your 90-day trip? Sounds fantastic!

  2. Freddie Avatar
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      We think so too, and hope he’ll stay safe while exploring the town’s rooftops!

  3. Darlene Avatar

    So that is where you are now! I love your little ginger and white friend. So cute and a great shot. Enjoy your new abode.

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      Bonjour Darlene, indeed, we finally found a place to hang our hats (rather our chapeaux) ;) Have you been to the Loire Valley? I see you’ve already penned an Amanda in France book, otherwise you might’ve enjoyed using this area as the setting. So many castles, and gardens, and history. I hope you’re well, whether in Canada or Spain!

      1. Darlene Avatar

        We drove through the Loire Valley and I wished we had time to stop. Perhaps another time. Spent most of our time in and around Paris. But I did love France, a lot. All is well here in Spain. Off to Canada in a couple of weeks for family, friends and book promotion. Nice to be in touch.

      2. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

        Please let us know the next time you’re in this area, Darlene! It’d be fun to show you around our new home. There’s so much to see (gardens, châteaux—each with its own appeal, and more).

        Hope you have a wonderful time in Canada and that the book promotion is a success.

  4. the eternal traveller Avatar

    Your cute little neighbour has a very endearing face.

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      And expressive eyes, too! I grew up with dogs, so I’m still amazed by cats’ daredevil ways. Do you have a pet, Carol?

      1. the eternal traveller Avatar

        Not any more. Mr ET used to have budgies.

  5. Annie Berger Avatar

    What a sweet tale of your adventuresome cat in Amboise, a town formerly unfamiliar to me. I look forward to more stories of your slow travel.

    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

      Bonjour Annie, interestingly enough, we haven’t seen this curious cat since I published this piece. Perhaps he’s now camera shy. ;) I’m happy you’ve been properly introduced to Amboise; it’s indeed a delightful little town. Thanks for joining me on my slow travels!

  6. Landious Travel Avatar

    Such a beautiful cat!