On the Streets of Touraine: Rue Charles VIII, Langeais – A medieval lane to the château.

Today's street: rue Charles VIII in Langeais , the narrow street that leads from the heart of the old town toward the royal château.

The cobbled path is flanked by pale stone houses with shuttered windows and slate roofs. On the left, the boulangerie sign stands out quietly. Ahead, the massive Tour Ronde—the cylindrical tower of the Château de Langeais—rises above the rooftops, drawing the eye forward. The street's slight curve and the play of light on the walls create that classic Touraine atmosphere: historic yet unpretentious, with the everyday life of the town unfolding at walking pace.

Named after King Charles VIII (who married Anne de Bretagne here in 1491), this lane carries the echo of royal history while remaining a living, breathing street.

A reminder: in the Loire, the best streets are often the ones that lead somewhere quietly magnificent, a few steps, a turn and suddenly you're at the gates of a royal castle.

Bon samedi dans la Touraine !

“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 ! – Place Plumereau, Tours

A perfect weekend spot where the tables are already waiting.

Today's view: Place Plumereau in the heart of Vieux Tours, one of the most charming medieval squares in the Loire Valley.

Half-timbered houses with their exposed beams and slate roofs frame the cobblestone square, while cafés and brasseries spill out with wicker chairs, umbrellas and people lingering over coffee or a glass of local Touraine wine. The big plane tree in the center casts dappled shade and the whole scene has that effortless, timeless feel, history all around, yet very much alive with locals and visitors chatting, laughing, and enjoying the mild February light.

In February the square is quieter, the crowds thinner, and the cafés feel more like they belong to the town than to passing tourists. It's the kind of place that invites you to slow down: a slow brunch, people-watching, or simply sitting and letting the atmosphere wash over you.

May your weekend be full of simple pleasures, good coffee, good company, and maybe a little Loire magic.

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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Thursday Loire: Taken in Touraine – Antique Charm on Place de l'Hôtel de Villein Loches.

Today's spot: an inviting antique shop on Place de l'Hôtel de Ville in Loches, right in the lively heart of the old town.

The pale stone facade, with its old wooden door, green shutters, and faded purple awning reading "Art & Antiques", spills its treasures onto the cobblestones: a vintage dresser, a red child's chair, a teddy bear family, porcelain dolls, brass lamps, and potted flowers adding soft color. The display is artfully chaotic in the best way, inviting you to linger, peer inside the open windows, and imagine the stories behind each piece. Above, a wrought-iron balcony with trailing greenery and a few French flags fluttering in the breeze completes the scene.

Place de l'Hôtel de Ville is Loches' central square surrounded by shops, cafés, restaurants and the town hall itself, it's a perfect spot to sit with a coffee and watch the town go by before heading up to the château or the Collégiale Saint-Ours. This particular boutique captures the town's quiet, unpretentious charm, where everyday life mixes with history and a delightful window display can stop you in your tracks.

Taken in Touraine: small details like this remind us the Loire's beauty often hides in plain sight, right in the heart of the village.

Bon jeudi dans la Touraine ! 🇫🇷🪑

Apparently the shop used to be a greengrocers, photos (1950's) below from Jacky Gautreau on Facebook.

“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: Southern Touraine – A simple window .

A quiet corner in southern Touraine... one small window, one burst of colour.

Today's detail: a classic white-shuttered window on an old stone cottage in southern Touraine (Indre-et-Loire), framed by a weathered white picket fence and a stone gatepost.

The window sits low in the thick limestone wall, its shutters half-open to let in the winter light, while a vibrant pot of pink flowers spills over the sill, adding life to the mossy, timeworn facade. The garden gate and bare branches give it that intimate, lived-in feel so typical of rural Touraine houses: sturdy, unpretentious and quietly beautiful.

These windows are everywhere in the villages south of Loches or along the river Creuse, small-paned, practical, often dressed with flowers or herbs on the sill. They tell stories of everyday life, watching the seasons change from inside.

A gentle Wednesday reminder: the smallest details, a plant, open shutters, sun on stone, can make a whole building feel welcoming.

Bon mercredi dans la vallée de la Creuse ! 🇫🇷

“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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Towns and Villages: Langeais – over the rooftops.

A quiet perch above the town... rooftops, chimneys, and the slender spire of Saint-Jean-Baptiste reaching for the sky. 🏘️⛪

Today's view: looking out from the ramparts of Château de Langeais over the heart of this small riverside town on the Loire between Tours and Saumur.

The photo captures the classic Touraine panorama: tightly packed slate roofs, stone gables, and the tall Gothic spire of Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste rising above the cluster of houses. The church, built mostly in the 12th–15th centuries, dominates the skyline with its Romanesque base and later additions, while the town spreads gently downhill toward the river. In the foreground, the château's own towers and walls frame the scene, reminding you you're standing on one of the Loire's most complete medieval fortresses (built 1465–1470 by Louis XI, site of Anne de Bretagne's marriage to Charles VIII in 1491).

This vantage point—accessible from the château's chemin de ronde (wall walk), offers one of the best free panoramas in the region: the old town below, the Loire valley stretching east and west, and distant hills under wide skies.

Practical tips:

• Château de Langeais is open year-round (tickets ~€11–12, includes interior and gardens).
• The town itself is compact and walkable: Place Pierre de Brosse, riverside paths, and good bakeries/cafés.
• Nearby: Cinq-Mars-la-Pile (Roman aqueduct ruins) or Villandry gardens (15 min drive).

Loire towns like Langeais remind us the real magic is often in the quiet views from above, history, rooftops and a spire pointing the way.

Bon mardi dans la vallée de la Loire ! 🇫🇷🏰

“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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Château de Brézé – The Underground Fortress Beneath the Renaissance Facade

Château de Brézé. a château that hides as much as it reveals

From the outside, it's a classic Renaissance residence: pale tuffeau stone, tall windows, slate roofs, ornate dormers, and a grand central block flanked by towers—built in the 16th century by the Brézé family (close to the royal court of the Valois) but the real surprise lies below: the largest dry moat in Europe (up to 18 m deep and 13 m wide), dug directly into the limestone, and an entire network of underground galleries, kitchens, stables, wine cellars, and defensive rooms carved out over centuries.

These subterranean spaces include a 16th-century siege tunnel, renaissance kitchens with huge fireplaces, and a troglodyte chapel. the château's owners still live in part of the main building, making it one of the few châteaux that remain privately inhabited and partially open to visitors.From this angle, the main building sits majestically above the deep moat, with gardens, terraces, with its history layered both above and below ground.🏰

Why visit Brézé?

• Guided tours of the underground parts (about 1.5 hours, book ahead in season).
• Beautiful Renaissance interiors, gardens, and views over the Loire.
• Nearby: Saumur (15 min drive) for the château, Cadre Noir equestrian school, and sparkling wine cellars.
• Practical: Open year-round (check winter hours), parking on site, family-friendly with audio guides.

Some châteaux stand tall, others hide secrets deep below. Brézé does both.

Bon lundi dans la vallée de la Loire ! 🇫🇷🏰

“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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