Meet Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord (1754-1838). He is quite famous for the French as the archetype of the crafty, opportunist politian/diplomat. He served (not always loyaly) all rulers of France in his lifetime: Louis XVI, the Revolution, Napoleon, Louis XVIII, Charles X and Louis-Philippe. Everybody prefered that he worked for them rather than against them. He had an amazing life, fearsome wit and good taste. You will know all about him when we visit the Chateau of Valencay if you choose the 2/3 days excursion to the Loire Valley.