Friday 9 December 2016

Another look at Christmas at Chateau de Chenonceau

Thought it was worth sharing this again...



After having promoted Chateau de Chenonceau as place to visit over Christmas we felt it only proper to go and see it for ourselves - and you. As a favourite destination of many visitors to the Loire Valley and indeed to us, we feel that the work they do, although rewarded by the number of visitors, should be further recognized. If there was an Oscar celebration for best chateau presentation then Chenonceau's Christmas display would surely walk away with the golden statue. 


Boxing Day 2013 proved to be the ideal choice for our visit - a beautiful winter's day here in the Loire Valley and perfect for walking off the excesses of  Christmas day. The chateau herself was looking resplendent but once inside the magic of Christmas was apparent in most of the apartments. 


From the moment you pass through its heavy main door you are greeted with the spirit of Christmas.


Our favourite tree was probably the one in the drawing room...


although the red glow in 'Cesar of Vendome's' room added something to the tree set up in there. 


Some displays, like the one in Catherine de Medici's and


 Gabrielle d' Estree's bedrooms were quite subtle...


while others were quite elaborate...


...like the display in Louise of Lorraine's bedroom.


Probably the only disappointing part of the visit was in the gallery, where I anticipated a tree in every alcove...but maybe that was expecting too much!


We had to make do with a large tree at the far end.


Although the chateau was busy with visitors I was able, with a lot of patience, to get most of my shots without 'people' in them but the kitchens were very popular, as ever and this was the best I could do.





Well worth the visit.


Friday 11 November 2016

Brocantes / vide greniers in Touraine, Friday 11th & Sunday 13th November

This photograph above from   http://www.crc-resurrection.org

Todays HUGE brocante at L'Isle Bouchard stretches across the island and onto both sides of the river. the river

Brocantes / vide greniers Friday 11th November

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown


JOUE LES TOURS  2ème Bourse/expo aux Antiquités Militaires *

L'ILE BOUCHARD  Foire de la st Martin et Brocante *****

LA RICHE  Vide Grenier & Jeux et Jouets **

TOURS  Bourse aux Jouets et aux Vêtements ?


Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 13th November
* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown


FONDETTES  Bric à Brac Enfantin (jouets, Vêtements, Puériculture) **

RESTIGNE  Brocante de la Saint-brice ***

VALLERES  Bourse aux Vêtements, Jouets et Puériculture **

VILLANDRY  Bourse aux Jouets *

Other departments: Source : http://brocabrac.fr/






Friday 4 November 2016

Brocantes / vide greniers in Touraine, Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th November


Brocantes / vide greniers Saturday 5th November

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown


BEAULIEU LES LOCHES  Brocante Vide-greniers **

Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 6th November
* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown

DESCARTES  Grand Bric à Brac de Noël **

LIGNIERES DE TOURAINE  Foire au Pommes Vide Grenier **

LUSSAULT SUR LOIRE  Bourse aux Vêtements Jouets et Puériculture ?

NOYANT DE TOURAINE  Bourse aux Jouets Vêtements Puériculture **

SAINT PIERRE DES CORPS  22ème Brocante Vide Grenier *****

VOUVRAY  Vide-dressing ?

Other departments: Source : http://brocabrac.fr/






Thursday 27 October 2016

Brocantes / vide greniers in Touraine, Sunday 30th October


Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 30th October

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown


AZAY LE RIDEAU  Brocante de l'ile **

AZAY LE RIDEAU  Foire au Pommes Vide Grenier ***

POCE SUR CISSE  Brocante de Livres, Vide-bibliothèque *

REUGNY  Foire à la Bernache et Brocante ****

SAINTE MAURE DE TOURAINE  Vide-grenier ?

VERETZ  Vide-poussettes *


Other departments: Source : http://brocabrac.fr/






Saturday 15 October 2016

Chateau de Chambord and scaffolding...



If you are planning a late season visit to the extravagant Chateau de Chambord you should be aware of the on-going maintenance and restoration works to the facade and grounds.There is an ambitious project at the present time to recreate its 18th century garden layout.

If you are hoping to capture the building in all its glory, you will be disappointed.


We took this photograph this week which is the view where the scaffolding is less obvious though you can still see it appearing as an extra rooftop feature - as if it needs it.

Below is how it was captured back in April by some American visitors to the Loire Valley who were staying at 'Le Bourg' a riverside barn conversion in Barrou in the beautiful Southern Touraine area of the region.


Thursday 13 October 2016

Brocantes / vide greniers this weekend in Touraine...


Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 16th October

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown

 
AMBILLOU  Vide-greniers ?

CHINON  Brocante mensuelle **

CONTINVOIR  Brocante ?

FRANCUEIL  Bourse aux Vêtements, Jouets et Puériculture ?

GENILLE  Brocante Vide-greniers ?

SAINT CYR SUR LOIRE  Bric et Broc ****

Other departments: Source : http://brocabrac.fr/






Friday 7 October 2016

Thursday 6 October 2016

Brocantes / vide greniers this weekend 8th/9th Oct. in Touraine...

 
Brocantes / vide greniers Saturday 8th October

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown

MONTLOUIS SUR LOIRE  Bourse aux Livres, CD, DVD **

SAINTE MAURE DE TOURAINE  Vide-greniers **

TOURS  Grande Vente d'Automne ?



Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 9th October

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown


AZAY LE RIDEAU  Bourse aux Jouets, matériel puériculture, vêtements enfants **

CHAMBRAY LES TOURS  Vide Grenier Centre Commercial des Perriers ***

FONDETTES  Vide Dressing Spécial Femmes **

LA CROIX EN TOURAINE  Bourse aux Jouets et Puériculture **

MAILLE  Brocante Vide-greniers ?

PERNAY  Vide Grenier de la St-Denis ?

SAINT BRANCHS  Vide-greniers ***

SAINTE MAURE DE TOURAINE  Bourse aux Timbres et Multicollections ?

SEUILLY  Vide Penderie Puériculture *

TOURS  Vide-grenier Boulevard Béranger ?


Other departments: Source : http://brocabrac.fr/







Monday 3 October 2016

Great start to October here in Centre - Val de Loire


This was taken in the countryside just outside Barrou in Southern Touraine yesterday, blue skies and 19 degrees!

Thursday 29 September 2016

Brocantes / vide greniers this weekend in Touraine...


Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 2nd October

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown


BALLAN MIRE  Vide-greniers ***

BLERE  Vide Greniers-brocante **

BOURGUEIL  Brocante Mensuelle *

BRECHES  Vide-greniers et marché gourmand ?

CHINON  Vide-greniers ?

ROCHECORBON  Vide-greniers ***

SAINT ETIENNE DE CHIGNY  Vide-greniers ***

SAINT MARTIN LE BEAU  Vide Grenier **

TOURS  Vide Greniers et Exposition de Véhicules Anciens ***


Other departments: Source : http://brocabrac.fr/







Wednesday 28 September 2016

Saying goodbye to the sunflowers...


With the sunflowers ending their season here is a reminder of the joy they bring to our region,

Friday 23 September 2016

Weekend for gardeners at Chateau Villandry...



Come and meet the gardeners at Chateau Villandry

This weekend the gardeners of Chateau Villandry avail themselves to amateur and professional gardeners alike who are keen to take advantage of their expertise and knowledge. 

Check their website for full program

Thursday 22 September 2016

Brocantes / vide greniers this weekend Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th September in Touraine...


Brocantes / vide greniers Saturday 24th September

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown

FONDETTES  Vide Grenier **


Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 25th September

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown


ATHEE SUR CHER  Vide-greniers **

CHEDIGNY  Vide Grenier et Vide Atelier de la Mode

COUESMES  Foire annuelle et vide-grenier**

JOUE LES TOURS  Brocante vide-greniers *****

LIGUEIL  Brocante Vide-greniers ?

NAZELLES NEGRON  Vide-greniers ***

NEUILLE PONT PIERRE  Brocante Vide-greniers >?

SAINT PIERRE DES CORPS  Vide-greniers ***

TOURS  Vide-greniers St-Paul *

VILLEPERDUE  Vide-greniers **

Other departments: Source : http://brocabrac.fr/





Wednesday 21 September 2016

An opportunity to enjoy some fine dining...


Until the 2nd of October selected restaurants are offering a two for one deal to allow you to sample there menus. You can check out the participating restaurants in the Loire Valley here

Friday 16 September 2016

More for the weekend...






This weekend is European 'Journees du Patrimoine' weekend..



EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS
The 33rd edition of the European Heritage Days theme "Heritage and Citizenship"

Every year, on the third weekend of September, heritage sites throughout the Loire Valley open their doors and share their history with you. You can find yourself climbing towers or entering caves and public buildings that would normally be closed to the public. Check out your own area here...


Pick up a guide to what's on at your local tourist office