Chateau du Rivau -Monday's chateau.

Rising above its colorful gardens, Château du Rivau is one of the Loire Valley's most enchanting castles. Its white tufa stone walls and slate-roofed towers reflect both its medieval origins and its elegant Renaissance transformation, while the remarkable gardens add a touch of fantasy to every visit.

Unlike many Loire châteaux, Le Rivau combines history with creativity. The formal gardens are filled with themed displays, contemporary sculptures and thousands of flowers, making each season a little different from the last. It's a castle where history and imagination sit comfortably side by side.

According to local tradition, Joan of Arc stopped at Château du Rivau in 1429 to collect fresh horses on her journey to Chinon, where she would meet the future King Charles VII before the campaign that led to the lifting of the siege of Orléans. Today, the château's celebrated fairy-tale gardens include more than a dozen themed spaces inspired by legends, literature and medieval stories.

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 -some shade in Loches.

Tucked away in the public gardens of Loches, this simple stone bench rests beneath a rose-covered pergola, where cool shade offers a welcome retreat on a warm summer's day. Surrounded by climbing roses and mature trees, it's a peaceful place to pause and enjoy one of Touraine's quieter corners.

Unlike a wooden bench warmed by the sun, the cool stone seat remains inviting even in the heat of the afternoon. Here, the fragrance of roses, birdsong and the gentle rustle of leaves create a moment of calm just a short stroll from the historic Royal City of Loches.

The public gardens of Loches were laid out on land that once formed part of the town's defensive surroundings. Today they provide a peaceful contrast to the medieval fortress above. The rose pergola has become one of the garden's most photographed features, offering both colour in late spring and early summer and welcome shade for visitors exploring the town.

More Loire benches here.

“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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Saturday on the streets...

Rue Jeanne d'Arc is Orléans' grand ceremonial street, created in the 19th century to provide a magnificent approach to the cathedral. Running in a straight line from the Loire towards the Cathédrale Sainte-Croix, it offers one of the finest urban vistas in France, with the cathedral dominating the skyline at its northern end.

Bon samedi dans Centre-Val de Loire!

“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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Sure sign of summer in the Loire Valley...

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Here, bon week-end isn’t just a phrase — it’s a gentle ritual the region has perfected.

“In the Loire, the weekend begins with light — and ends with gratitude.”

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Part of the “Bon week-end from the Loire” Series

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

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Taken in Touraine in 'le vieux quartier de Tours'.

This half-timbered building, now home to the restaurant Léonard de Vinci, stands at the intersection of Rue de la Monnaie and Rue des Orfèvres in the old quarter of Tours. Its timber frame and brick infill are a reminder of the medieval streetscape that still survives in this part of the city.

Le vieux quartier de Tours: Rue de la Monnaie takes its name from the mint once established nearby, while Rue des Orfèvres recalls the goldsmiths who worked in the area. Together, the street names preserve the memory of the trades that shaped medieval Tours.

“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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A lesson in symmetry...

At Château de Cheverny, evenly spaced windows create one of the Loire Valley’s most elegant façades. The formal balance continues around the building, giving the château its famously composed appearance.

Château de Cheverny has remained in the same family for more than six centuries and its interiors are among the best preserved in the Loire Valley The château is also said to have inspired Marlinspike Hall in 'The Adventures of Tintin'.

“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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