Bon week-end from Place du Martroi, Orléans

Place du Martroi is the principal square in the centre of Orléans, and at its heart stands the city's famous equestrian statue of Joan of Arc, created by Denis Foyatier and inaugurated in 1855. The square itself is considerably older, although it did not exist in its present form when Joan came to Orléans in 1429.

The name Martroi comes from martyrium, and the site has a long and rather varied history. It was once associated with a cemetery, later became a grain market and during the Revolution the guillotine was erected here. Today it is a largely pedestrianised meeting place, with the tram quietly crossing the square. 

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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Quiet waterway in Beaulieu-lès-Loches.

This peaceful waterway is a medieval canal dug by the monks of the great abbey founded by Fulk Nerra in the early 11th century.

It diverted the Indre to power a series of mills and still runs gently through the heart of this Petite Cité de Caractère, just across the meadows from the royal town of Loches.

“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: Inside Out at Château de Chambord.

Inside out at Château de Chambord. Usually we look through a window to see inside a building, but here the view works just as well in reverse. The leaded glass frames Chambord's formal French gardens, drawing the eye along the central axis towards the château's grounds.

The gardens themselves have a long history. Planned under Louis XIV, completed during the reign of Louis XV, and laid out in their 18th-century form in 1734, they eventually disappeared beneath simpler lawns. The formal gardens were restored and replanted in 2016–17, reopening to visitors in March 2017.

A rather good example of how, at Chambord, the view from a window can be as carefully composed as the view of the building itself.

“Through every window,the Loire Valley 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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Quiet Morning on Place du Marché aux Fleurs, Loches

On a non-market day the Place du Marché aux Fleurs in Loches feels almost suspended in time, wide open cobbles, long shadows from the trees and just the soft echo of footsteps where the stalls usually stand.

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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A Château with a moat...a rare thing here in Touraine.

The Château du Châtelier near Paulmy in Southern Touraine is a rare survivor. Built as a fortified stronghold in the 12th and 13th centuries, it still has its moat surrounding the rocky site, complete with water. The original fortress had a double enceinte, towers and a deep defensive ditch whose water level could be controlled through channels from the nearby Brignon.

There is another detail we particularly like: on the western side, the pedestrian drawbridge still survives. The main drawbridge disappeared in the 18th century, but this smaller one remains, giving the château an unusually convincing medieval approach.

We love the little pedestrian bridge with its drawbridge — but what really makes the Châtelier special is seeing a medieval château with its moat still complete and holding water. That is becoming a rare sight indeed.

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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By the 'kiosque à musique' in Beaulieu-lès-Loches

A bench in front of the elegant 'kiosque à musique' in Beaulieu-lès-Loches which dates from the early 20th century. Completed in 1909 it stands on what is now Place du Maréchal Leclerc, beside the former abbey buildings that became the town hall.

The kiosk is still very much part of village life. Concerts and other events continue to take place beneath it, including summer music events. Beaulieu's own heritage guide lists the kiosk among the highlights of this Petite Cité de Caractère®, alongside its medieval heritage and the Grand Clocher.

“On Sundays, the Loire 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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