Wednesday for Windows: Southern Touraine – A simple window .

A quiet corner in southern Touraine... one small window, one burst of colour.

Today's detail: a classic white-shuttered window on an old stone cottage in southern Touraine (Indre-et-Loire), framed by a weathered white picket fence and a stone gatepost.

The window sits low in the thick limestone wall, its shutters half-open to let in the winter light, while a vibrant pot of pink flowers spills over the sill, adding life to the mossy, timeworn facade. The garden gate and bare branches give it that intimate, lived-in feel so typical of rural Touraine houses: sturdy, unpretentious and quietly beautiful.

These windows are everywhere in the villages south of Loches or along the river Creuse, small-paned, practical, often dressed with flowers or herbs on the sill. They tell stories of everyday life, watching the seasons change from inside.

A gentle Wednesday reminder: the smallest details, a plant, open shutters, sun on stone, can make a whole building feel welcoming.

Bon mercredi dans la vallée de la Creuse ! 🇫🇷

“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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Towns and Villages: Langeais – over the rooftops.

A quiet perch above the town... rooftops, chimneys, and the slender spire of Saint-Jean-Baptiste reaching for the sky. 🏘️⛪

Today's view: looking out from the ramparts of Château de Langeais over the heart of this small riverside town on the Loire between Tours and Saumur.

The photo captures the classic Touraine panorama: tightly packed slate roofs, stone gables, and the tall Gothic spire of Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste rising above the cluster of houses. The church, built mostly in the 12th–15th centuries, dominates the skyline with its Romanesque base and later additions, while the town spreads gently downhill toward the river. In the foreground, the château's own towers and walls frame the scene, reminding you you're standing on one of the Loire's most complete medieval fortresses (built 1465–1470 by Louis XI, site of Anne de Bretagne's marriage to Charles VIII in 1491).

This vantage point—accessible from the château's chemin de ronde (wall walk), offers one of the best free panoramas in the region: the old town below, the Loire valley stretching east and west, and distant hills under wide skies.

Practical tips:

• Château de Langeais is open year-round (tickets ~€11–12, includes interior and gardens).
• The town itself is compact and walkable: Place Pierre de Brosse, riverside paths, and good bakeries/cafés.
• Nearby: Cinq-Mars-la-Pile (Roman aqueduct ruins) or Villandry gardens (15 min drive).

Loire towns like Langeais remind us the real magic is often in the quiet views from above, history, rooftops and a spire pointing the way.

Bon mardi dans la vallée de la Loire ! 🇫🇷🏰

“Every town and village in the Loire Valley tells its story gently — in rooftops, stonework and narrow streets.”

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

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Château de Brézé – The Underground Fortress Beneath the Renaissance Facade

Château de Brézé. a château that hides as much as it reveals

From the outside, it's a classic Renaissance residence: pale tuffeau stone, tall windows, slate roofs, ornate dormers, and a grand central block flanked by towers—built in the 16th century by the Brézé family (close to the royal court of the Valois) but the real surprise lies below: the largest dry moat in Europe (up to 18 m deep and 13 m wide), dug directly into the limestone, and an entire network of underground galleries, kitchens, stables, wine cellars, and defensive rooms carved out over centuries.

These subterranean spaces include a 16th-century siege tunnel, renaissance kitchens with huge fireplaces, and a troglodyte chapel. the château's owners still live in part of the main building, making it one of the few châteaux that remain privately inhabited and partially open to visitors.From this angle, the main building sits majestically above the deep moat, with gardens, terraces, with its history layered both above and below ground.🏰

Why visit Brézé?

• Guided tours of the underground parts (about 1.5 hours, book ahead in season).
• Beautiful Renaissance interiors, gardens, and views over the Loire.
• Nearby: Saumur (15 min drive) for the château, Cadre Noir equestrian school, and sparkling wine cellars.
• Practical: Open year-round (check winter hours), parking on site, family-friendly with audio guides.

Some châteaux stand tall, others hide secrets deep below. Brézé does both.

Bon lundi dans la vallée de la Loire ! 🇫🇷🏰

“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 - Garden bench at Château de Chenonceau

Today's spot: a modest black bench tucked under a modest shelter in the jardins du Château de Chenonceau.

The sign above points the way: "Potager des fleurs,Vegetable and flower garden" and "Jardin de plantes médicinales, Medicinal plant garden / Parc aux ânes – Donkey pen garden." The shelter itself—worn stone walls, red-tiled roof with moss and lichen, wrought-iron bench supports, feels timeless, a small, simple, refuge amid the château's famous gardens and grandeur. You can almost smell the earth and herbs waiting just beyond the archway.

These gardens, redesigned in the 20th century but rooted in Renaissance tradition, include the potager-fleuri (ornamental vegetable plots) and the medicinal herb garden, both practical and poetic, much like the bench itself: simple, sturdy, waiting for someone to sit and reflect.

A perfect Sunday pause: sit, listen to distant birds or the faint rustle of leaves, let the château's history (Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de Médicis, the river-spanning architecture) settle quietly around you.

Bon dimanche à tous ! Have a peaceful Sunday, everyone.

“On Sundays, the Loire 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 Touraine: Rue Rabelais, Chinon – Medieval Charm.

Today's street: rue Rabelais in the heart of Chinon, one of the most picturesque thoroughfares in Touraine.

This narrow lane, named after the Renaissance writer François Rabelais, born nearby in 1494, winds through the old town with its signature half-timbered houses, pale tuffeau stone, slate roofs, and wrought-iron shop signs swaying gently. Flower baskets and window boxes add pops of color, while the street offers glimpses of the royal fortress (Château de Chinon) perched on the hill above. The cyclist in the foreground, the distant shoppers, the mix of bakeries, cafés, and antique shops, it's pure small-town Touraine energy: historic yet lived-in, quiet yet welcoming.

A few street-level gems nearby:

• Place Jeanne d'Arc (with her statue and the old town hall).
• Caves Plou et Fils or other local wine shops for Chinon AOC tastings.
• The steep climb Saint-Martin leading up to the castle for panoramic views.
• Easy access: Chinon train station or parking at the base of the town.

Touraine streets like this one remind us the Loire's magic is often in the details, cobblestones underfoot, history overhead, life unfolding at walking pace. What's your favorite medieval lane in the region?

Happy Saturday in the Loire Valley! 🇫🇷🍷

“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...A visit to the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours?

Housed in the former bishop's palace beside Tours Cathedral , the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours showcases art from antiquity to the present day. Beyond its collections, it's known for its formal garden, its famous stuffed elephant Fritz, and a remarkable listed Lebanese cedar. The building has been protected as a historic monument since 1983.

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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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