Thursday, 29 December 2016
Sunday, 25 December 2016
Sunday, 18 December 2016
Saturday, 10 December 2016
Friday, 9 December 2016
Another look at Christmas at Chateau de Chenonceau
Thought it was worth sharing this again...
After having promoted Chateau de Chenonceau as place to visit over Christmas we felt it only proper to go and see it for ourselves - and you. As a favourite destination of many visitors to the Loire Valley and indeed to us, we feel that the work they do, although rewarded by the number of visitors, should be further recognized. If there was an Oscar celebration for best chateau presentation then Chenonceau's Christmas display would surely walk away with the golden statue.
Boxing Day 2013 proved to be the ideal choice for our visit - a beautiful winter's day here in the Loire Valley and perfect for walking off the excesses of Christmas day. The chateau herself was looking resplendent but once inside the magic of Christmas was apparent in most of the apartments.
After having promoted Chateau de Chenonceau as place to visit over Christmas we felt it only proper to go and see it for ourselves - and you. As a favourite destination of many visitors to the Loire Valley and indeed to us, we feel that the work they do, although rewarded by the number of visitors, should be further recognized. If there was an Oscar celebration for best chateau presentation then Chenonceau's Christmas display would surely walk away with the golden statue.
Boxing Day 2013 proved to be the ideal choice for our visit - a beautiful winter's day here in the Loire Valley and perfect for walking off the excesses of Christmas day. The chateau herself was looking resplendent but once inside the magic of Christmas was apparent in most of the apartments.
From the moment you pass through its heavy main door you are greeted with the spirit of Christmas.
Our favourite tree was probably the one in the drawing room...
although the red glow in 'Cesar of Vendome's' room added something to the tree set up in there.
Some displays, like the one in Catherine de Medici's and
Gabrielle d' Estree's bedrooms were quite subtle...
while others were quite elaborate...
...like the display in Louise of Lorraine's bedroom.
Probably the only disappointing part of the visit was in the gallery, where I anticipated a tree in every alcove...but maybe that was expecting too much!
We had to make do with a large tree at the far end.
Although the chateau was busy with visitors I was able, with a lot of patience, to get most of my shots without 'people' in them but the kitchens were very popular, as ever and this was the best I could do.
Well worth the visit.
Friday, 25 November 2016
Thursday, 17 November 2016
Tuesday, 15 November 2016
Friday, 11 November 2016
Brocantes / vide greniers in Touraine, Friday 11th & Sunday 13th November
This photograph above from http://www.crc-resurrection.org
Todays HUGE brocante at L'Isle Bouchard stretches across the island and onto both sides of the river. the river
Brocantes / vide greniers Friday 11th November
* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200
stalls ****More than 200 stalls ?
Unknown
JOUE LES TOURS 2ème Bourse/expo aux Antiquités
Militaires *
L'ILE BOUCHARD Foire de la st Martin et Brocante
*****
LA RICHE Vide Grenier & Jeux et Jouets **
TOURS Bourse aux Jouets et aux Vêtements ?
Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 13th
November
* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200
stalls ****More than 200 stalls ?
Unknown
FONDETTES Bric à Brac Enfantin (jouets,
Vêtements, Puériculture) **
RESTIGNE Brocante de la Saint-brice ***
VALLERES Bourse aux Vêtements, Jouets et
Puériculture **
VILLANDRY Bourse aux Jouets *
Other
departments: Source : http://brocabrac.fr/
Sunday, 6 November 2016
Friday, 4 November 2016
Brocantes / vide greniers in Touraine, Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th November
Brocantes / vide greniers Saturday 5th November
* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200
stalls ****More than 200 stalls ?
Unknown
BEAULIEU LES LOCHES Brocante Vide-greniers **
Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 6th November
* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200
stalls ****More than 200 stalls ?
Unknown
DESCARTES Grand Bric à Brac de Noël **
LIGNIERES DE TOURAINE Foire au Pommes Vide
Grenier **
LUSSAULT SUR LOIRE Bourse
aux Vêtements Jouets et Puériculture ?
NOYANT DE TOURAINE Bourse aux Jouets Vêtements
Puériculture **
VOUVRAY Vide-dressing ?
Other
departments: Source : http://brocabrac.fr/
Thursday, 27 October 2016
Brocantes / vide greniers in Touraine, Sunday 30th October
Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 30th October
* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200
stalls ****More than 200 stalls ?
Unknown
AZAY LE RIDEAU Brocante de l'ile **
AZAY LE RIDEAU Foire au Pommes Vide Grenier ***
POCE SUR CISSE Brocante de Livres,
Vide-bibliothèque *
REUGNY Foire à la Bernache et Brocante ****
SAINTE MAURE DE TOURAINE Vide-grenier ?
VERETZ Vide-poussettes *
Other
departments: Source : http://brocabrac.fr/
Sunday, 23 October 2016
Saturday, 22 October 2016
Saturday, 15 October 2016
Chateau de Chambord and scaffolding...
If you are planning a late season visit to the extravagant Chateau de Chambord you should be aware of the on-going maintenance and restoration works to the facade and grounds.There is an ambitious project at the present time to recreate its 18th century garden layout.
If you are hoping to capture the building in all its glory, you will be disappointed.
We took this photograph this week which is the view where the scaffolding is less obvious though you can still see it appearing as an extra rooftop feature - as if it needs it.
Below is how it was captured back in April by some American visitors to the Loire Valley who were staying at 'Le Bourg' a riverside barn conversion in Barrou in the beautiful Southern Touraine area of the region.
Thursday, 13 October 2016
Brocantes / vide greniers this weekend in Touraine...
Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 16th October
* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200
stalls ****More than 200 stalls ?
Unknown
AMBILLOU Vide-greniers
?
CHINON Brocante
mensuelle **
CONTINVOIR Brocante
?
FRANCUEIL Bourse
aux Vêtements, Jouets et Puériculture ?
GENILLE Brocante
Vide-greniers ?
SAINT CYR SUR LOIRE Bric et Broc ****
Other
departments: Source : http://brocabrac.fr/
Friday, 7 October 2016
Thursday, 6 October 2016
Brocantes / vide greniers this weekend 8th/9th Oct. in Touraine...
Brocantes / vide greniers Saturday 8th October
* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200
stalls ****More than 200 stalls ?
Unknown
MONTLOUIS SUR LOIRE Bourse
aux Livres, CD, DVD **
SAINTE MAURE DE TOURAINE Vide-greniers **
TOURS Grande Vente d'Automne ?
Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 9th October
* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200
stalls ****More than 200 stalls ?
Unknown
AZAY LE RIDEAU Bourse aux Jouets, matériel
puériculture, vêtements enfants **
CHAMBRAY LES TOURS Vide Grenier Centre Commercial
des Perriers ***
FONDETTES Vide Dressing Spécial Femmes **
LA CROIX EN TOURAINE Bourse
aux Jouets et Puériculture **
MAILLE Brocante Vide-greniers ?
PERNAY Vide Grenier de la St-Denis ?
SAINT BRANCHS Vide-greniers ***
SAINTE MAURE DE TOURAINE Bourse aux Timbres et
Multicollections ?
SEUILLY Vide Penderie Puériculture *
Other
departments: Source : http://brocabrac.fr/
Monday, 3 October 2016
Great start to October here in Centre - Val de Loire
This was taken in the countryside just outside Barrou in Southern Touraine yesterday, blue skies and 19 degrees!
Sunday, 2 October 2016
Friday, 30 September 2016
Thursday, 29 September 2016
Brocantes / vide greniers this weekend in Touraine...
Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 2nd October
* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200
stalls ****More than 200 stalls ?
Unknown
BALLAN MIRE Vide-greniers ***
BLERE Vide Greniers-brocante **
BOURGUEIL Brocante Mensuelle *
BRECHES Vide-greniers et marché gourmand ?
CHINON Vide-greniers ?
ROCHECORBON Vide-greniers ***
SAINT ETIENNE DE CHIGNY Vide-greniers ***
SAINT MARTIN LE BEAU Vide Grenier **
Other
departments: Source : http://brocabrac.fr/
Wednesday, 28 September 2016
Saying goodbye to the sunflowers...
With the sunflowers ending their season here is a reminder of the joy they bring to our region,
Friday, 23 September 2016
Weekend for gardeners at Chateau Villandry...
Come and meet the gardeners at Chateau Villandry
This weekend the gardeners of Chateau Villandry avail themselves to amateur and professional gardeners alike who are keen to take advantage of their expertise and knowledge.
Check their website for full program
Thursday, 22 September 2016
Brocantes / vide greniers this weekend Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th September in Touraine...
Brocantes / vide greniers Saturday 24th
September
* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200
stalls ****More than 200 stalls ?
Unknown
FONDETTES Vide Grenier **
Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 25th September
* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200
stalls ****More than 200 stalls ?
Unknown
ATHEE SUR CHER Vide-greniers
**
CHEDIGNY Vide Grenier et Vide Atelier de la Mode
COUESMES Foire annuelle et vide-grenier**
JOUE LES TOURS Brocante vide-greniers *****
LIGUEIL Brocante Vide-greniers ?
NAZELLES NEGRON Vide-greniers ***
TOURS Vide-greniers St-Paul *
VILLEPERDUE Vide-greniers **
Other
departments: Source : http://brocabrac.fr/
Wednesday, 21 September 2016
An opportunity to enjoy some fine dining...
Until the 2nd of October selected restaurants are offering a two for one deal to allow you to sample there menus. You can check out the participating restaurants in the Loire Valley here
Friday, 16 September 2016
This weekend is European 'Journees du Patrimoine' weekend..
EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS
The 33rd edition of the European Heritage Days theme "Heritage and Citizenship"
The 33rd edition of the European Heritage Days theme "Heritage and Citizenship"
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. Check out your own area here...
Pick up a guide to what's on at your local tourist office
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