Thursday's 'taken in Touraine' - by the river Indre in Loches.

February calm along the Indre... a quiet wooden footbridge leads straight into the fairy-tale silhouette of Loches.

On the bucolic banks of the Indre River in Loches, where a modest wooden bridge crosses a side channel or mill race, offering one of the most picturesque views of the Cité Royale.

In the distance, the imposing Renaissance Logis Royal (home to Charles VII, Agnès Sorel, Jeanne d'Arc's triumphant visit in 1429, and Anne de Bretagne) and the clustered towers of the the Collegiate Church of Saint-Ours (12th-century Romanesque gem with its pyramid-shaped spires). Bare winter trees frame the scene perfectly, the river's murky winter flow adding a soft, reflective mood, typical of Touraine's gentle backdrop.

“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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Wednesday for Windows : Saint Joan of Arc in Stained Glass – Église, Manthelon.

Today’s window: inside the Église Saints-Gervais-et-Saint-Protais-et-Volusien in Manthelon (Indre-et-Loire), a tall arched stained glass portraying Sainte Jeanne d'Arc (Saint Joan of Arc).

She stands tall in white armor, blue cloak flowing, golden halo shining, holding her banner aloft and sword at her side, classic iconography of the Maid of Orléans as protector and martyr. The rich greens, purples, reds, and golds glow against the grey stone, with floral and geometric borders adding delicate detail.

The church itself has deep roots: an early sanctuary from the late 5th century welcomed relics of Saints Gervais and Protais, brought by Bishop Volusien of Tours. The current neo-Romanesque building dates from 1868 (replacing the medieval one), with many of its stained glass windows created between 1868 and 1876 by the renowned Tours workshop of Lucien-Léopold Lobin. This particular panel of Jeanne d'Arc is likely a later 19th/20th-century addition, reflecting the surge in her veneration after her canonization in 1920.

Manthelon is a peaceful village near Loches, perfect for a detour if you're exploring the Loire's lesser-known treasures—combine it with a visit to the Château de Loches or a walk along the Indre river.

These windows aren't just decoration; they're stories in light, reminding us of faith, history, and resilience in the heart of rural Touraine.

Have you spotted any surprising saints in Loire church windows?

Bon mercredi dans la Vallée de la Loire! 🇫🇷⛪

 

“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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Tuesday for towns in Centre-Val de Loire - the rooftops of Sancerre

Perched atop a 310-meter hill like a sentinel over the Central Loire Valley, Sancerre is the quintessential French wine village, medieval charm wrapped in endless vineyards. This aerial panorama captures the essence: a tight cluster of honey-colored stone houses with signature Burgundy-style terracotta roofs, the white bell tower of the church rising proudly in the center, and wave after wave of green vines rolling across the hillsides toward the horizon.

Even in overcast light, the landscape feels alive, those famous Sauvignon Blanc terroirs (silex, caillottes, terres blanches) already hinting at the crisp, mineral-driven whites that made Sancerre legendary. Today, it's a perfect place for wandering cobbled streets, tasting at local domaines, or simply soaking in 360° views that make you feel on top of the world.

Pro tip: For shots like this, head to viewpoints such as the Tour des Fiefs (climbable tower remnant with epic panoramas), for sweeping overviews. Sancerre isn't just a stop, it's a full immersion in Loire serenity and Sauvignon excellence.

“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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Monday's chateau - the castle of Palluau-sur-Indre

This imposing castle overlooking the Indre valley (36) dates from the 12th to the 15th century when it was restored after having suffered from the fighting of the Hundred Years War. Once the home of the first governor of Quebec, Louis de Buade de Frontenac, Count of Palluau, it is now in private hands under a continuing restoration programme. 

The website of the castle 

Mon banc dominical/My Sunday Bench at Chateau de Cande.

A bench stands facing the Château de Candé.

The stone façade rises quietly behind the trees, its towers and windows catching the light of a clear Sunday afternoon. Nothing presses forward here. The bench waits, placed at a respectful distance, offering a view rather than a destination.

Candé is known for its history, but on a Sunday like this, the château feels simply present — solid, unchanged, and open to being looked at slowly. Sitting here, the grounds invite a pause, the kind that belongs naturally to the Loire.

À bientôt et bon dimanche !

“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 - Place du Marché aux Fleurs in Loches.

Place du Marché aux Fleurs in Loches, this charming, market place right in the heart of the old town, buzzing with life on market days.

The scene today: white market stalls and tents spread across the wide paved rond-point, vendors offering fresh produce, flowers, cheeses, local honey, and artisan goods under a pale winter sky. Locals and visitors mingle among the market stalls. Surrounding the square: elegant white-stone buildings with slate roofs, classic Touraine façades, a few half-timbered touches, and the striking Tour Saint-Antoine soaring 52 meters above it all, a Renaissance bell tower (built 1529–1575) that dominates the skyline with its elegant lantern top and stone carvings. At its base, the bronze statue of poet Alfred de Vigny (erected in the square) adds a literary touch, patina turning green-blue over time. In the background, glimpses of the medieval Château de Loches perch on its rocky spur, with pointed turrets and the royal lodgings peeking through.

Quick history: The square takes its name from the historic flower market that once filled it (now part of Loches' famous twice-weekly markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays). The Tour Saint-Antoine, originally a belfry linked to a chapel of St. Anthony at its foot (long gone), was built in pure Renaissance style, the only one of its kind in Touraine, to serve as the town's communal bell tower after the old church structures evolved. Loches itself is a medieval gem: fortified since the 9th century, royal residence under Charles VII (who gave it to Agnès Sorel), and a key stop on the Loire Valley trail.

Loches— the charm of everyday Touraine life.

“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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