Langeais...awesome

This is how google's 'awesome' app handled our photograph of Langeais ...we like it.

Anjou Velo Vintage...

Loire à Vélo

The annual Anjou Vélo Vintage, set over the weekend of Saturday 28th and Sunday the 29th of June, is an excuse to revel in the glorious past of the humble bicycle. There is a big, jolly bike ride with four different  routes, to suit different levels and ages, from the colourful Lycra wearing ‘we take it seriously’ kind of folk to the ‘lets dress up and have fun’ types. Don’t be surprised to see fancy dress, blokes in boaters, ladies in lace and twos on tandems – such fun!

Photo courtesy: http://www.anjou-velo-vintage.com/

Whether you are a cyclist or not, you will enjoy the ‘retro’ atmosphere in Saumur the ’home’ of the festival. The nostalgia for the vintage ‘bicyclette’ will be enhanced  by the addition of costumes and music from a bygone age of fun and sophistication(?).

Photo courtesy:http://www.anjou-velo-vintage.com/

 Official website for the festival...here

Away the 'reds'...

When taking this shot by the side of the D31 spotted a lone poppy...

Isn't this the away supporters end?

Taken in Touraine...

This restored windmill, 'Le moulin des Aigremonts', sits just outside the market town of Blére. The original was built in1848,it then passed to different owners before eventually falling into disrepair. It was acquired by the town in 2003 when the restoration work began. It reopened to the public in 2009. You can find out more here on the official site for the mill.

This is a neat little video of the mill with a jaunty little tune.

      

La fête de la musique 2014

Free music where you are in the Loire Valley

Saturday 21st of June is the 'Fete de la Musique', the annual music festival which has spread from France all around the world. The tradition inaugurated by the then French Minister of Culture in Paris in 1982 continues to reinvent itself with free concerts with everything from hunting horns in the private gardens of the prefecture in Tours to a free afternoon and evening of music in Azay-le-Rideau

Check your local tourist office for what is on near you. or check out whats on in your department here

Taken in Touraine...

This iconic British telephone box can be found in front of the mairie in Azay-le-Rideau - don't know why other than perhaps a curiosity - it has no glass and certainly no phone.

This pretty little Loire Valley town is most famous for its equally iconic Chateau but its well maintained streets, especially in summer, are a pleasure to walk around.There are good restaurants, a fine church and plenty of photo opportunities.

Sunday markets...

Markets today in Angers, Montsoreau, Saumur, Blois, Amboise, Montrichard, Chinon,Descartes, Langeais and Tours.  There is also a Brocante at Descartes...so you can make a day of it!

Taken in Touraine...

This is a view onto the flower gardens/nursery behind the XVI th century farm at Chateau de Chenonceau, it's where all the flowers are grown for there beautiful room displays.

...taken from the bridge over the 'outer moat' of the chateau just by the main gates.

Cheese please...

National fair of cheeses

Saturday, 7th and Sunday, 8th of June, Sainte-Maure de Touraine

This year, the 'guest' region will be "Bourgogne - Charolais"

►Numerous exhibitors
►Tastings of local products
►Numerosous exhibitions
►Crafts under the Halle
►Fairground attractions
►Restoration on the site of the fair
►Musical groups on places and in streets
►Shows and public ball on Saturdays evenings

►Music, animations, cheerfulness!

You can check out 2012's event here

Taken in Touraine...

 The ornate chimney above can be found at the chateau at Le Grand Pressigny.

Smelling the roses...

Chedigny Rose Festival 2014

 see more pics. here