Monday's Chateau - Chateau du Rivau.

Château du Rivau is one of those châteaux that seems to change character with every viewpoint. The towers, walls, gardens and surrounding landscape give it plenty of different faces, making it surprisingly photogenic from almost any angle. I have more photographs on my Château du Rivau page which also explains the Joan of Arc connection.

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 bench with a view at Château de Candé.

A bench with a view and this one has a particularly good one. From the grounds of Château de Candé, the view stretches across the wooded Indre valley to the railway viaduct at Monts. The viaduct carries the railway over the Indre and has been part of the landscape for well over a century.

The view also puts the setting of Château de Candé into perspective. The estate sits above the Indre valley and has a large park of 230 hectares, much of it woodland.

“On Sundays, Touraine 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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Rue de la Mairie, Villandry: on the streets of Touraine

Rue de la Mairie runs through the centre of Villandry towards the château. The village has much older roots than its famous Renaissance château might suggest: it was originally known as Colombiers, and that name remained in use until 1639.

There's also a nice historical detail here. In 1189, the 'Peace of Colombiers' was agreed at the medieval fortress that stood on the site of today's château, when Henry II of England recognised Richard the Lionheart as his heir.

 Rue Principale

This is Villandry as a village, rather than just as the famous château and gardens.

“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 - have a lovely weekend everyone.

Le Grand-Pressigny

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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Taken in Touraine: La Poterne and Château du Lion, Preuilly-sur-Claise

There is rather more history behind this view than the reconstructed château might suggest. Today the 'Musée de la Poterne' occupies the former southern gateway of the Château du Lion, a building that later served as the town prison. Today, its collections tell a rather different story, with local archaeology and everyday life alongside a particularly interesting collection of Touraine lace and traditional headdresses. One room is devoted to the headdresses and lace, arranged to illustrate different stages of daily life.

The château behind it was reconstructed in the early 20th century on the site of the medieval fortress. The original castle had endured several sieges during the Hundred Years' War before being taken and dismantled by the English.

It is a good example of Preuilly-sur-Claise, where fragments of the medieval town sit alongside later buildings and reconstructions.

“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 of Southern Touraine...

There is something very appealing about the traditional houses of Southern Touraine, where pale tufa stone is often set off by painted shutters and doors. Here, the soft green woodwork and climbing plant add a little colour without taking away from the simplicity of the old stonework.

NB This little house is currently for sale as part of a larger property.

“Through every window,Touraine 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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