Have a good weekend...try and stay cool.

Loches

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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And so it continues...baking in Touraine.

Under a deep blue sky, this vast field of sunflowers stretches towards the horizon, each bloom turned towards the sunshine that has brought another spell of temperatures above 30°C.

These golden fields are one of the defining sights of the Touraine countryside during July and August. Grown primarily for their seeds and oil, they also provide an important source of food for bees and other pollinators before the harvest begins.

With the warm air shimmering above the fields and hardly a cloud in the sky, it's easy to see why locals have been saying that Touraine is baking this week.

Although sunflowers are now closely associated with the French countryside, they are not native to France. They originated in North America and were brought to Europe by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. It wasn't until the 18th and 19th centuries that they became widely cultivated across France, and today the Centre-Val de Loire region is one of the country's major sunflower-growing areas.

“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 – Chapelle Saint-Louis, Champigny-sur-Veude

Some of the Loire Valley's most remarkable windows are found where you least expect them.

Hidden away in the quiet village of Champigny-sur-Veude , the Chapelle Saint-Louis is a true architectural treasure. Its soaring Gothic vaults and magnificent stained-glass windows fill the chapel with color, creating an atmosphere that rivals some of France's most celebrated churches.

Built in the early 16th century by the powerful Bourbon-Montpensier family, the chapel is often overlooked by visitors rushing between the Loire Valley's famous châteaux. Those who make the detour are rewarded with one of the region's finest collections of Renaissance stained glass.

The greatest surprise about Chapelle Saint-Louis is its location. You might expect such an impressive royal chapel to stand in a major city, yet it is tucked away in a village of fewer than a thousand residents. Historians sometimes compare it to Sainte-Chapelle in Paris because of its remarkable stained-glass windows, making it one of the Loire Valley's best-kept secrets and one of its most unexpected artistic treasures.

See more on the chapel here.

“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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Amboise a favourite stop for cyclists exploring the Loire Valley.

Few towns capture the spirit of the Loire Valley as completely as Amboise. Dominated by its magnificent royal château and nestled beside the River Loire, it combines centuries of royal history with a relaxed riverside atmosphere that invites visitors to slow down and explore.

This view, taken from the bridge over the Loire, is a familiar sight for many cyclists following the famous La Loire à Vélo route. With bicycles resting against the bridge wall and the Château Royal d'Amboise rising above the town, it perfectly captures the freedom of discovering the Loire Valley on two wheels.

La Loire à Vélo is one of Europe's most celebrated cycling routes, stretching for over 900 kilometres (560 miles) from Cuffy, near Nevers, to the Atlantic coast at Saint-Brevin-les-Pins. The route passes through some of the Loire Valley's finest towns and châteaux, with Amboise being one of its most popular overnight stops. Cyclists can explore the royal château, visit Clos Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last years of his life, before continuing their journey through the UNESCO-listed Loire landscape.

 More on Amboise here.

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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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Monday's Château – Château de Beauregard

Standing gracefully in the heart of the Loire Valley, Château de Beauregard may not be the largest or most famous château in the region, but it possesses a charm all its own. Surrounded by peaceful parkland and formal gardens, its elegant Renaissance façade reflects the refinement that characterised the French court during the 16th century.

Located between Blois and Cheverny, Beauregard rewards visitors with a quieter experience than many of the Loire's better-known castles. Beyond its impressive exterior lies one of France's most remarkable historic interiors, making it a hidden treasure for anyone exploring the Loire Valley.

Château de Beauregard is renowned for its extraordinary Portrait Gallery (Galerie des Illustres), which contains 327 portraits of kings, queens, statesmen and influential figures from European history. Created during the 17th century, it stretches almost 26 metres and is one of the finest portrait galleries in France. Beneath the paintings, the beautiful floor is decorated with over 5,500 Delft tiles, adding another unique feature that visitors rarely expect to find.

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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At Villandry - Mon Banc Dominical — My Sunday Bench

There are benches that offer a place to rest, and there are benches that invite you to linger.

Nestled within the magnificent gardens of Château de Villandry, this wooden bench looks out over a landscape carefully shaped by centuries of horticultural artistry. Bathed in the soft glow of the evening sun, it offers a peaceful spot to pause and appreciate the beauty of one of the Loire Valley's most celebrated gardens.

Sometimes the finest way to experience Villandry is simply to sit quietly and let the garden reveal itself.

Every season brings a different display, ensuring no two visits are ever quite the same.

“On Sundays, the Loire Valley 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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