On the Streets of the Touraine - Rue Rabelais, Chinon.

Tucked into the heart of medieval Chinon, Rue Rabelais is one of those inviting streets that encourages you to slow your pace. Lined with small boutiques and cafés, it offers a glimpse of the town's relaxed atmosphere and centuries of history.

Named after the great Renaissance writer François Rabelais, who was born nearby in La Devinière, the street reflects the spirit of a region where literature, history and fine food have long gone hand in hand. Whether you're browsing local shops, enjoying lunch on a terrace or simply wandering through the old town, Rue Rabelais is a reminder that Chinon's greatest pleasures are often found away from its famous fortress.

Although François Rabelais was born just outside Chinon around 1494, he affectionately celebrated the town and the surrounding countryside in his writings. His larger-than-life characters, Gargantua and Pantagruel, are filled with references to the Loire Valley's vineyards, food and humour, making Chinon forever linked with one of France's greatest literary figures.

“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 à tous, have a good weekend everyone

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 view from above -taken in Touraine

From the top of the Porte Royale, the rooftops of the medieval town of Loches unfold below, with the distinctive Tower of Saint-Antoine rising above them. Narrow streets weave between centuries-old stone houses, following routes that have remained remarkably unchanged for generations.

This elevated viewpoint offers one of the finest panoramas in Touraine, revealing the close-knit fabric of a town where medieval streets, historic buildings and everyday life continue to exist side by side.

The Tower of Saint-Antoine is all that remains of the former Church of Saint-Antoine, which was largely destroyed during the French Revolution. Rising above the rooftops, the tower has become one of Loches' best-known landmarks. From the top of the Porte Royale, you can appreciate not only this surviving bell tower but also the medieval street pattern below—little changed over the centuries.

“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 the Loire – Chedigny

Chedigny  in Southern Touraine, is one of the most beautiful flowering villages in the Centre-Val de Loire, with almost every house seemingly competing in a friendly display of roses, climbing plants and greenery. The village is the only one in France to have been awarded the prestigious "Jardin Remarquable" (Remarkable Garden) label in its entirety, a recognition usually reserved for individual gardens rather than an entire village. It is a wonderful example of the French art of living beautifully extending even to the smallest communities

“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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Bonne Fête Nationale 2026...

 

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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