Chateau de Cheononceau at Christmas.

Château de Chenonceau dressed for Christmas, its long perspective softened by winter light and rows of illuminated trees leading the eye toward the château. Seasonal decorations add a quiet festive touch without overwhelming the elegance of this iconic Loire Valley landmark.

Inside however it transforms into a magical winter wonderland 

“Each château tells a story — of kings, of artists, and of the dream of France itself.”

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Part of the “Châteaux of the Loire” Series

Every Monday, we explore one of the Loire Valley’s legendary châteaux — from royal residences to riverside retreats — each revealing a different chapter of the region’s story.

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Mon banc dominical — My Sunday Bench , Christmas at Chateau de Chenonceau.

At Chateau de Chenonceau — a Sunday moment of stillness.

A visit to Chateau de Chenonceau is enchanting at any time of year but dressed for Christmas it transforms into a magical winter wonderland. This year's theme 'Grand Nord' sees the gallery over the Cher transformed into a lovely serene winter walk through a birch forest.

Outside is no less magical as the benches at the chateau entrance become part of the winter theme.

“On Sundays, the Loire speaks softly — and you have time to listen.”

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Part of the “Mon banc dominical” Series

Each Sunday, we share a quiet bench somewhere in the Loire — a small reminder that peace is often found where you simply stop to notice it.

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On the Streets of Touraine - Rue de la Monnaie,Tours

Rue de la Monnaie in Tours narrows gently as it winds through the old town, its cobbled surface and tightly packed façades reflecting centuries of everyday passage. Stone, timber and pale tuffeau sit side by side, creating a street that feels lived in rather than preserved.

This is a part of Tours best explored slowly. Shop signs hang close to the walls, bicycles rest against doorways and voices soften as the street bends out of sight. It is a reminder that Touraine’s character is often found not in grand views, but in these quieter streets where history and daily life continue to meet.

“The streets here don’t hurry. They simply invite you to walk, to notice, to belong.”

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Part of the “On the Streets of the Loire” Series

Each Saturday, we stroll through the lanes and cobbles of Loire towns and villages — places where every step feels like a story.

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Bon week-end from Tours

Place Plumereau is rarely empty, but there are moments when it feels as if the square pauses between breaths. Chairs are lined up, terraces waiting, timbered façades catching the light as if they’ve done this many times before. In the heart of Tours, this is where conversations gather, where coffee cools slowly, and where the Loire Valley shows its most sociable side. A place made for lingering, even before

“In the Loire, the weekend begins with light — and ends with gratitude.”

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Part of the “Bon week-end from the Loire” Series

Each Friday, we share a quiet moment from the Loire — a region that invites you to unwind, one beautiful weekend at a time.

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Merry Christmas everyone...Joyeux Noël.

 

White Christmas at Chateau de La Guerche this morning.

Windows of the Loire Valley - at Chateau de Chenonceau.

Chapel of the Château de Chenonceau, Christmas decorations

Light filters through the stained glass of the chapel at Château de Chenonceau, softened further by winter and candle glow. The windows do not dominate the space, they quietly frame it, colouring stone, wood, and silence.

At Christmas, the chapel takes on a gentler presence. Fir branches, white flowers, and carefully placed decorations sit beneath centuries old glass, creating a meeting point between faith, tradition, and seasonal ritual.

These windows were never meant to impress at a glance. Instead, they reward stillness, allowing light to move slowly across the walls as the day unfolds.

“In the Loire, windows do not rush the light, they invite it in.”

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Part of the “Windows of the Loire Valley” Series

A midweek look at the windows of the Loire Valley, from grand châteaux to quiet chapels, revealing how light shapes these historic spaces.

Browse the full series

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