Thursday's 'taken in Touraine'...in Amboise.

Rue Victor Hugo, Amboise — an unusual façade with twin arched doorways.

Each post in this series highlights a detail from Touraine, a building, a lane, or a quiet corner that reveals something of the Loire region.

This image was taken in Amboise. The house’s paired arched doors and brick arches give it a character that stands out from the neighbouring façades.

Architectural surprises like this are small invitations to look more closely at the places we pass every day.

“In Touraine, every street has a story — some simply whisper a little louder.”

Part of the “Taken in Touraine” Series

A continuing look at the towns, villages and architecture of the Loire Valley.

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Simple festive balcony dressing in Tours.

Rue des Halles, Tours— a festive touch above the street.

On Rue des Halles, in Tours, this weathered window carries a simple decoration of evergreen and bright red bows. The soft paint, aged shutters, and quiet elegance feel unmistakably Loire Valley — a gentle mix of tradition and lived-in warmth.

“Some windows speak softly — offering a hint of life, colour, and the passing season.”

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Part of the “Windows of the Loire” Series

A continuing look at the Loire Valley through its windows — each one offering a small story in glass, stone, and light.

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Towns & Villages of the Loire Valley...Amboise getting into Christmas.

Amboise, festive charm beneath the Château’s Chapel of Saint-Hubert.

Each Tuesday we wander through the towns and villages of the Loire Valley, those places where time seems to slow and life gathers around a square, a river, or a quiet lane.

In Amboise, the approach to the château takes on a different character in winter. Below the Chapel of Saint-Hubert, with its delicate late-Gothic stonework, Christmas trees and seasonal decorations brighten the walkway. The historic setting and festive details sit comfortably together, adding a quiet charm to this corner of the Loire Valley.

“Every village and town in the Loire tells its own story softly.”

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Part of the “Towns & Villages of the Loire” Series

Each Tuesday, we visit one of the Loire Valley’s towns or villags of the Loire Valley — their streets, stories, and quiet beauty.

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Château d’Azay-le-Rideau...night and day.

Château d’Azay-le-Rideau, one of the Loire’s most elegant Renaissance masterpieces.

At the heart of the Loire Valley stands Château d’Azay-le-Rideau, a perfect blend of French Renaissance harmony and quiet grandeur. Its pale stone, delicately carved windows, and pointed towers give it the air of a château that was designed more to be admired than defended.

Built on an island in the Indre River, Azay-le-Rideau is often known for its mirror-like water reflections but approaching it from the front reveals just how refined and balanced its architecture truly is. A château of symmetry, softness, and understated beauty night or day.

“Some châteaux impress with power, Azay-le-Rideau charms with elegance”

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Part of the “Châteaux of the Loire” Series

Each post explores a different Loire château — its history, its atmosphere, and the quiet moments that make each one unforgettable.

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Mon banc dominical / My Sunday Bench on Place Jean-Jaurès in Tours.

Place Jean-Jaurès, Tours — a quiet moment in the city.

In the heart of Tours, the benches of Place Jean-Jaurès offer a gentle pause. Even in the bustle of the Loire Valley's largest city, there are places where you can catch your breath.

This bench, surrounded by winter plantings and the calm geometry of the square, is a reminder that stillness can be found anywhere, even at the centre of a city.

“Sometimes all you need is a bench, a square, and a moment to breathe.”

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Part of the “Mon banc dominical” Series

Each post shares 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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Saturday on the streets of Touraine...Rue du Change, Tours.

Rue du Change, Tours — the charm of everyday Loire life.

November on Rue du Change in Tours, the half-timbered façades lean gently over the cobbles, as if keeping centuries of stories close and revealing that actually not much has changed.

In the morning, cafés set out their chairs and the old street slowly wakes. By afternoon, the light softens, slipping between slate roofs and timber frames.  

“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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