Taken in Touraine: La Poterne and Château du Lion, Preuilly-sur-Claise

There is rather more history behind this view than the reconstructed château might suggest. Today the 'Musée de la Poterne' occupies the former southern gateway of the Château du Lion, a building that later served as the town prison. Today, its collections tell a rather different story, with local archaeology and everyday life alongside a particularly interesting collection of Touraine lace and traditional headdresses. One room is devoted to the headdresses and lace, arranged to illustrate different stages of daily life.

The château behind it was reconstructed in the early 20th century on the site of the medieval fortress. The original castle had endured several sieges during the Hundred Years' War before being taken and dismantled by the English.

It is a good example of Preuilly-sur-Claise, where fragments of the medieval town sit alongside later buildings and reconstructions.

“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 of Southern Touraine...

There is something very appealing about the traditional houses of Southern Touraine, where pale tufa stone is often set off by painted shutters and doors. Here, the soft green woodwork and climbing plant add a little colour without taking away from the simplicity of the old stonework.

NB This little house is currently for sale as part of a larger property.

“Through every window,Touraine 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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The poet's walk...

Avenue André Theuriet crosses the Claise at Le Grand-Pressigny, named after the poet and novelist who lived in the area and drew inspiration from the villages and countryside of the valley.

If André Theuriet were to walk this road today, he might be surprised by how little it has changed. The Claise still flows beneath the bridge, the countryside is still green and peaceful and the village beyond remains much as he would have known it.

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 La Guerche - who knew?

Château de La Guerche has,apparently, strong connections with Agnès Sorel, the celebrated favourite of Charles VII. Agnès is traditionally said to have been born at Fromenteau, now in the commune of Chambon, just a few kilometres away. She also had family connections with the Villequier family who built La Guerche, making this part of Touraine particularly important in her story.

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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My Sunday Bench — Musée des Beaux-Arts, Tours.

Just beyond the cathedral, the gardens of the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours offer one of the city's most peaceful places to sit. With clipped hedges, mature trees and the former Archbishop's Palace as a backdrop, it's a Sunday bench with a distinctly elegant setting.

Anecdote: The museum occupies the former Palais des Archevêques , a residence that became one of the grandest in Touraine. Its formal gardens remain open to visitors, providing a quiet retreat just a few steps from the busy streets of central Tours.

“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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On the Streets of Touraine — Chinon

Chinon's medieval streets still follow the same narrow lanes laid out centuries ago, with timber-framed houses leaning gently towards one another. It's a town best explored on foot, where every corner seems to reveal another piece of its long history.

Many of Chinon's half-timbered houses date from the 15th and 16th centuries. Their upper floors were often built to project over the street, giving homeowners a little extra living space while keeping these medieval lanes pleasantly shaded during the summer.

“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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