Merry Christmas from the Loire Valley

We should point out there's rarely snow on Chenonceau !

Chateau de Chenonceau is a joy to visit at any time of year but if you are visiting over Christmas and the new year it is even more magical with Christmas trees and bouquets sumptuously displayed in every room of the castle

Read more here

Saumur at Christmas...

The town of Saumur has an interesting take on Christmas decorations this year...see more here

Christmas markets in the Loire Valley

Christmas holidays in France are a very special time as families prepare for the festivities. There are traditional Christmas markets in many towns and villages of the Loire Valley and there is still time to find one.You can check with your local tourist office as to where you will find the one nearest to you.

Christmas at Chateau de Cheverny

Château de Cheverny

December 1 to January 6

Come visit the Chateau of Cheverny, decorated with more than 60 Christmas trees.

Christmas at the Chateaux of the Loire

Christmas can be a great time to visit the Loire Valley chateaux, especially with children, as many take the opportunity to 'dress' especially for the event. There are stand-outs like the wonderful Chenonceau but others like the ones below are also putting on a show... 

 Christmas at chateau de Chenonceau

Christmas at Chateau Brissac

 Christmas at Chateau d'Amboise

Chateau Breze at Christmas

Another Autumn pic from Centre - Val de Loire

This one taken from the bridge over the Aigronne in Le Grand Pressigny in Southern Touraine

Centre Val de Loire in November...

A walk though the Autumn colours of the public gardens in Descartes in Pictures...

Bridge over the river Creuse

Something for the weekend...

APERITIF JAZZ

Date : Saturday, November 8, 2014 from 19h Location : Room Bizeau Rates : free concert 

Formula appetizer plate 8 € reservation before November 3, 2014

Discover ...

1 st part19h: The Cane Swing

Passionate swing, this quartet has a solid stage experience (over 400 concerts in six years).

After touring repertoire of Django Reinhardt and more generally the gypsy jazz repertoire, it is now a new musical direction that drives them. Cane Swing, this is not only a music sharing, but also a friendly exchange with the public mood.

www.lacanneaswing.fr

2 nd part, 2030: Audrey B & Faces

This quintet offers a large repertoire of standards and swing rythm'n'blues wonderfully interpreted, thanks to the exceptional voice of Audrey Joumas. It is surrounded by seasoned musicians: piano Pascal Denis Jerome Bellicaud on drums, Philippe JUHEL guitar and harmonica
Eric SANSIQUET bass.

Swing tunes and rhythms, the haunting voice of Audrey operates: one snaps his fingers, feet on tape, you can savor this wonderful journey that swings wish ...

Facebook: Audrey B & Faces

Visiting Touraine...

If you are considering a holiday in Touraine in the Loire Valley then this video will help you make up your mind...

                        

New exhibition at Loches...

http://www.experienceloire.com/whats-on-loire-valley.htm

Something for the weekend...

          Village hall of Montission Avenue Jacques Douffiagues 45650 St Jean Le Blanc (South Orleans)

http://www.salon-vignerons-lions-orleans.fr/

Here comes the sun...

Temperatures of 25 degrees are Predicted for the Loire Valley this weekend ... so it should be a good time to get outdoors and visit Reviews some of the beautiful gardens of the area like the ones at ... Chateau Villandry ...

 ... or at the Chaumont Garden Festival ...

 ...or at Chateau Rivau

http://www.experienceloire.com/chateau du rivau.htm

Something for the weekend...

http://www.experienceloire.com/whats-on-in-october.htm

The 'Art & Lard' festival is this Sunday at Le Petit-Pressigny  You can view the works of up to 20 local artists set up in a variety of locations throughout this charming little village. This year's event will also have some musical content in the form of a concert by a brass quintet in the church (not sure when) plus a 'retro-swing group' providing street entertainment. The 'lard' part of the day involves 'tastings' for children and adults plus an exhibition of medieval crockery. 

We understand  there is also an 'exhibition' at the nearby Château de Ré.

From 2013
From 2012
From 2011

Something for the weekend...

On Saturday the Opera House in Tours is hosting an open day and inviting visitors in to enjoy privileged access to the venue, including the costume storage area. In the afternoon, you can attend costume rehearsals. A great opportunity to get behind the scenes. We went along last year - very interesting and beautiful inside..

http://www.operadetours.fr/

Taken in Touraine

This monkey under the eaves of a house can be found in Preuilly-sur-Claise in Southern Touraine.

It is just across from the towns fabulous abbey church

Blois from over the river Loire...

Took this shot of the fine city of Blois last week on our way up to Beaugency.

Something for the weekend...

 Loire Valley Journees du Patrimoine - Heritage days

Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st September, 2014

Every year, on the third weekend of September, heritage sites throughout the Loire Valley open their doors and share their history with you. You can find yourself climbing towers or entering caves and public buildings that would normally be closed to the public. 

More info.here...

Something for the weekend...

Yes, a 'Tomato Festival'

In its 16th year, the 'Festival of the Tomato' returns to Chateau Bourdaisière in Touraine. The publicity says you can discover no less than 650 varieties of tomato – if you really want to. There will also be 50 exhibitors offering all things tomato! You can also visit the grounds of the chteau but not the chateau itself as it is a hotel.

Saturday 13^th  and Sunday 14th, September. 

Website: http://www.labourdaisiere.com/festival-de-la-tomate

Jazz in Touraine...

This year sees the 28th edition of ‘Jazz in Touraine’ festival which is being held in Montlouis-sur-Loire from 11th to 21^st September. Eight nights of musical entertainment with a mix of big established artists, rising stars and young hopefuls of the jazz scene. 

Web site: http://www.jazzentouraine.com/

Blois...well worth a visit

The chateau at Blois

A recent re-visit to the fine city of Blois sitting on the banks of the Loire river reminded us of what a great place it is...and that it has a lot of steps!

Something for the weekend perhaps?

http://www.chateau-loire-montpoupon.com/

Conice Agricole - Le Geand Pressigny

Le Grand Pressigny is hosting this year's 'Comice Agricole' (agricultural show) - an event that brings together the villages of the 'canton Grand Pressigny' - Barrou, Betz -le-Château, La Celle-Guenand, Ferrière-Larçon, Le Grand Pressigny, La Guerche, Paulmy, Le Petit-Pressigny and Saint-Flovier. The ladies (and some men) of the village are currently busy making 8000 paper flowers for the garlands that will adorn the village for the spectacle.

The theme for this year's event is the 'forests of Touraine' and it will take place over the weekend of the 16th & 17th August. It culminates on the Sunday afternoon and evening with a procession of floats, majorettes and marching bands then evening entertainment during dinner and finally a fireworks display.

These pictures and video below are from the last time they held it in Le Grand Pressigny, back in 2008

                   

We took them from the 'Jullet' balcony of 'Les Balcons'

Jousting at Chateau Rivau

Jousting tournament

!6th & 17th August

3 tournaments per day, driven by the initiatory Chivalry, will take place in the moat of the Castle! : Saturday at 14h, 16h and 17:30 to 11:30 Sunday, 15h and 16:30. At 18h. Throughout these days, many animations will delight young and old! : Medieval camp by the Association de la Mandragore with medieval combat demonstration stick and dubbing young knights, introduction to archery by Archers Richelais, calligraphy workshop, tasting gourmet products, medieval market. In the magical setting of the gardens, visitors will encounter the beautiful lords and ladies and the collective organization of the medieval market Chinon and knights 

http://www.loire-castle-rivau.com/events/jousting-tournaments.php

Search for treasures...

Night market in Loches - 7th Auhust

Les Grandes Tablées

Celebrating Champigny wines, the town of Saumur hosts two days/evenings on the 06/08 and 07/08, where thousands gather to taste the great wines and produce of the area in a party atmosphere with live music.

http://www.saumur-champigny.com/grandes-tabl%C3%A9es-56.php

Chinon Medieval Festival

Tomorrow in Chinon...more here

Evening market in Descartes

  

There is an evening market this Friday in Descartes from 6.00pm on the Quai Couratin, along the riverside near Le Pont Henri IV bridge.

The group who are providing the music (9.00pm) for the night at 'Bar Saulaie' at the end of the Quai, "Laids Crétins des Alpes"(Ugly Raving Alps) sound interesting. If you wish to eat you have to make a reservation on 02 47 53 70 33 or 032 47 92 93 54. 

Festival Yzeures'n'Rock 2014 // 1-2 août 2014

Balloon over Barrou...

Another ballon flight caught yesterday on Grande Rue in Barrou here in Southern Touraine. 

Slipping over the river Creuse