Loire river at Tours

Visitors to the city of Tours might be surprised as to how small a part the river Loire plays in embracing them as tourists. 'Tours sur Loire' is one of the few chances they will have to get a flavour of the river. At the south side of the 'Pont Wilson' from the 17th May until the 22nd September the bank of the river offers a wide range of diverse and varied activities including a bar, restaurant, concerts, sport, entertainment and games for children , outdoor cinema and dance floor.

Chaumont Garden Festival

Every year since 1992, the gardens of Chaumont-sur-Loire play host to the annual ‘Festival des Jardins’, a garden festival with up to 30 themed gardens. These gardens are created by different landscape architects, designers and artists around a theme, which changes every year. This brings the chateau surroundings to life with the colour and fragrances of the many plants and flowers on display. It also promotes nursery projects and lets both the public and trade see new ideas on the use of colour and materials in flower and garden displays. Due to its continued quality and success the garden festival has gained an international reputation with visitors coming from every corner of the globe.

he 2013 Festival will run from 24th April until the 20th October

Theme "Gardens of sensations"

You can preview the gardens here.

You can see a slide show of the 2012 gardens here...

What's on in May...

Orleans celebrates liberation from the English by Joan of Arc with a programme of events until the 9th May, including parades and a  medieval festival.

Festival website

You can find out what else is on in the Loire Valley during May here: