Monday's chateau - Chateau de Villandry.

Château de Valençay combines the strength of a medieval fortress with the elegance of the Renaissance. The present château was built in stages for the d’Estampes family from the early 16th century, with later additions giving the building the form we see today.

Its story took another turn in 1803 when Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord acquired Valençay. Under Talleyrand, the château became a setting for diplomacy and, from 1808 to 1814, the residence of the Spanish princes held there by Napoleon.

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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A good place to stop, sit down and let the gardens do the talking.

The gardens of Château de Villandry are designed to be admired, but they are also somewhere to pause. This bench looks out across the quieter parts of the gardens, with the evening autumnal light filtering through the trees.

Sometimes the best part of a garden is simply finding a bench and sitting down for a while.

“On Sundays the Loire Valley 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...in La Guerche.

Rue du Four Banal is one of the old streets of La Guerche, running through the historic village towards the château. The name comes from the four banal, the communal oven belonging to the lord of the seigneurie, which local inhabitants were formerly required to use. The street was also known as Rue de Croy in the 19th century.

The château is visible beyond the houses, giving this ordinary village street a rather impressive end to the view.

.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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Autumn at Château d'Amboise.

Château d'Amboise has a very different look as autumn begin to take hold around the town and hillside. 

The royal château became one of the favourite residences of the French kings during the Renaissance, particularly under Charles VIII and François I.

A fine view of one of the Loire Valley's great royal châteaux — and a good way to finish the week.

Hope your week ends well and it's followed by a lovely weekend.

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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A favourite autumnal scene in Southern Touraine.

Our part of France Centre-Val de Loire is a delight at any time of year with autumn a favourite of ours. This autumn scene was captured yesterday on Avenue Andre Theuriet in Le Grand Pressigny in Southern Touraine.

We tend to take this shot a lot as it provides great examples of the changing seasons.

Spring

Summer

  

Winter

“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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An old stone building, a colourful window and an atelier inside.

At No. 9 Place Pierre-de-Brosse in Langeais, an old stone-fronted building is now home to La Jachère, an atelier creating decorative objects and jewellery in Tiffany glass. The workshop is open to the public and brings several artists together under one roof.

The address is right beside the Château de Langeais, making this a good example of how the old buildings around the château have found new uses while retaining their traditional stone façades.

“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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