Le George, Loches - Bon week-end from the Loire Valley.

Why not spend the weekend in Loches, one of the Loire Valley's most attractive medieval towns, and treat yourself to a leisurely lunch or dinner at Le George? Set beside the River Indre, its terrace is one of those peaceful spots where the water flows gently past as the town carries on around it.

The River Indre has shaped Loches for centuries. Before it became a picturesque backdrop for cafés and riverside walks, it powered mills, fed the town's moats, and helped protect the medieval citadel that still dominates the skyline.

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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On the bridge at La Guerche for an anti-climax.

Waited with others on the bridge in La Guerche to watch the lunar  eclipse last night and although we caught a glimpse through the special glasses it was a little underwhelming from visual point of view we had some dimming rather than the darkness people imagined....the clouds didn't help either!

“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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Windows & Balconies of the Loire: Le Petit-Pressigny

A window that doesn't quite look like a window in Le Petit-Pressigny. The figures appear to be standing behind the glass, but this is a painted scene set into the opening of the building housing Les Chambres de l'Aigronne.

It also brings to mind a curious piece of French history: the window tax.

Introduced in 1798, the contribution des portes et fenêtres was one of France's "four old" direct taxes. It was calculated according to the number and size of doors and windows opening onto streets, courtyards and gardens. The reasoning was that the number of openings provided a visible indication of a property's wealth.

The tax remained in place until 1926. It became notorious because it encouraged some owners to reduce the number of windows in their buildings, while existing openings were sometimes blocked up. The tax was even described by critics as an "impôt sur l'air et la lumière", a tax on air and light.

So, nearly a century after the tax disappeared, we find a window in Le Petit-Pressigny that is there purely for appearance.

“Through every window, the Loire breathes — calm, patient, and quietly luminous.”

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Part of the “Windows of the Loire” Series

Each Wednesday, we share a glimpse of the Loire Valley through its windows — small frames of everyday beauty and quiet reflection.

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Terraced gardens, La Guerche.

There’s a particular kind of quiet that settles over the terraced gardens of La Guerche. The stone walls hold the day’s heat, the leaves on the banana tree that still grows, improbably green, barely move. 

Not much has changed here over the years with the only real sign of modernity being the 'dish' on the roof!

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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Château de Grillemont at La Chapelle-Blanche-Saint-Martin.

The château at La Chapelle-Blanche-Saint-Martin has medieval origins, although much of what stands today dates from later rebuilding. In 1464, Bertrand de Lescoët acquired Grillemont and transformed it into a substantial fortress. In the 18th century, François Balthazar Dangé d'Orsay remodelled it as a more comfortable residence, removing the medieval keep and opening up the buildings with much larger windows.

There is a particularly good story attached to those alterations. Local tradition says that Dangé d'Orsay ordered as many windows and doors as there are days in the year to be created in the château. The actual number is thought to have been 97 but the story has survived.

Grillemont also had an extraordinary wartime history. During the Second World War it was successively used by the evacuated French Ministry of Commerce, occupied by German forces and later used as a prison. 846 people were held there between 1941 and 1943.

In 1850, the castle was bought by Gérasime Lecointre, the great-great-grandfather of the current owner. The castle was empty, as the previous owner had gone bankrupt and sold all the furniture.The family then had to work at returning it to a habitable residence.

Official website.

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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Mon Banc Dominical / My Sunday bench — Chateau de Grillemont

Benches at Château de Grillemont, La Chapelle-Blanche-Saint-Martin. Today, the courtyard is a peaceful place to sit and enjoy the château and its grounds.

But Grillemont has a surprisingly eventful history, including a remarkable chapter during the Second World War.

More tomorrow...on Monday's chateau!

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

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Part of the “My Sunday Bench” 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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