Amboise a favourite stop for cyclists exploring the Loire Valley.

Few towns capture the spirit of the Loire Valley as completely as Amboise. Dominated by its magnificent royal château and nestled beside the River Loire, it combines centuries of royal history with a relaxed riverside atmosphere that invites visitors to slow down and explore.

This view, taken from the bridge over the Loire, is a familiar sight for many cyclists following the famous La Loire à Vélo route. With bicycles resting against the bridge wall and the Château Royal d'Amboise rising above the town, it perfectly captures the freedom of discovering the Loire Valley on two wheels.

La Loire à Vélo is one of Europe's most celebrated cycling routes, stretching for over 900 kilometres (560 miles) from Cuffy, near Nevers, to the Atlantic coast at Saint-Brevin-les-Pins. The route passes through some of the Loire Valley's finest towns and châteaux, with Amboise being one of its most popular overnight stops. Cyclists can explore the royal château, visit Clos Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last years of his life, before continuing their journey through the UNESCO-listed Loire landscape.

 More on Amboise here.

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

Exploring the towns and villages of the Loire Valley — their streets, stories, and quiet beauty.

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Monday's Château – Château de Beauregard

Standing gracefully in the heart of the Loire Valley, Château de Beauregard may not be the largest or most famous château in the region, but it possesses a charm all its own. Surrounded by peaceful parkland and formal gardens, its elegant Renaissance façade reflects the refinement that characterised the French court during the 16th century.

Located between Blois and Cheverny, Beauregard rewards visitors with a quieter experience than many of the Loire's better-known castles. Beyond its impressive exterior lies one of France's most remarkable historic interiors, making it a hidden treasure for anyone exploring the Loire Valley.

Château de Beauregard is renowned for its extraordinary Portrait Gallery (Galerie des Illustres), which contains 327 portraits of kings, queens, statesmen and influential figures from European history. Created during the 17th century, it stretches almost 26 metres and is one of the finest portrait galleries in France. Beneath the paintings, the beautiful floor is decorated with over 5,500 Delft tiles, adding another unique feature that visitors rarely expect to find.

Happy Monday in the Loire Valley!

“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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At Villandry - Mon Banc Dominical — My Sunday Bench

There are benches that offer a place to rest, and there are benches that invite you to linger.

Nestled within the magnificent gardens of Château de Villandry, this wooden bench looks out over a landscape carefully shaped by centuries of horticultural artistry. Bathed in the soft glow of the evening sun, it offers a peaceful spot to pause and appreciate the beauty of one of the Loire Valley's most celebrated gardens.

Sometimes the finest way to experience Villandry is simply to sit quietly and let the garden reveal itself.

Every season brings a different display, ensuring no two visits are ever quite the same.

“On Sundays, the Loire Valley 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 the Touraine - Rue Rabelais, Chinon.

Tucked into the heart of medieval Chinon, Rue Rabelais is one of those inviting streets that encourages you to slow your pace. Lined with small boutiques and cafés, it offers a glimpse of the town's relaxed atmosphere and centuries of history.

Named after the great Renaissance writer François Rabelais, who was born nearby in La Devinière, the street reflects the spirit of a region where literature, history and fine food have long gone hand in hand. Whether you're browsing local shops, enjoying lunch on a terrace or simply wandering through the old town, Rue Rabelais is a reminder that Chinon's greatest pleasures are often found away from its famous fortress.

Although François Rabelais was born just outside Chinon around 1494, he affectionately celebrated the town and the surrounding countryside in his writings. His larger-than-life characters, Gargantua and Pantagruel, are filled with references to the Loire Valley's vineyards, food and humour, making Chinon forever linked with one of France's greatest literary figures.

“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 à tous, have a good weekend everyone

Part of the “Bon weekend from the Loire” Series

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

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A view from above -taken in Touraine

From the top of the Porte Royale, the rooftops of the medieval town of Loches unfold below, with the distinctive Tower of Saint-Antoine rising above them. Narrow streets weave between centuries-old stone houses, following routes that have remained remarkably unchanged for generations.

This elevated viewpoint offers one of the finest panoramas in Touraine, revealing the close-knit fabric of a town where medieval streets, historic buildings and everyday life continue to exist side by side.

The Tower of Saint-Antoine is all that remains of the former Church of Saint-Antoine, which was largely destroyed during the French Revolution. Rising above the rooftops, the tower has become one of Loches' best-known landmarks. From the top of the Porte Royale, you can appreciate not only this surviving bell tower but also the medieval street pattern below—little changed over the centuries.

“In Touraine, even the silence tells a story.”

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Part of the “Taken in Touraine” Series

Every Thursday, we pause somewhere in Touraine — a village, a vineyard, or a quiet riverside — to capture the spirit of this timeless Loire region.

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