Thanks for dropping in during 2017

We hope through our blog and our website we have encouraged visitors to make the Loire Valley their choice for their holidays during 2017 and that more will visit us in 2018.

Looking back on Christmas past...2013

Chateau de Chenonceau Boxing Day 2013

Inside was stunning as well...

Looking back on Christmas Days past...Barrou 2015

This was Barrou as seen on Christmas day 2015...you can visit in 2018 for your summer vacation and let us share our local knowledge to make your holiday one to remember. 

Check out our accommodation here.

Our thoughts turn to Summer in the Loire Valley

Thoughts now turn to where to spend your holidays in 2018...come to the Loire Valley in France and let us look after you.

Le Grand-Pressigny on Christmas Day 2015

Happy Christmas...

It's Christmas time at the Chateaux...

Vendome at Christmas

It's Christmas time at the chateaux...

Season's greetings from the Loire Valley

Have a lovely Christmas...thank you for dropping in during 2017 

Images of December in Southern Touraine here in the Loire Valley

Approaching Le Grand-Pressigny from the road to La Guerche

Chateau at La Guerche

Grande Rue in Barrou



Loches skyline

Tuesday for towns in the Loire Valley - Saumur

The Loire Valley town of Saumur is steeped in history and has a great deal to offer visitors to the region.

From its chateau with origins dating back to the 10th century...

to its tank museum - the largest in Europe.



You can find out more here on our website

Monday's Loire Valley chateau - Chateau d'Amboise

Today we feature the imposing Chateau d'Amboise sitting on the banks of the mighty river Loire.

The chateau has a rich history with links to many of the French royals plus of course its Leonardo de Vinci connection. 

You can read more here on our web page for the chateau.

Loire Valley church for Sunday...Holy Trinity Chapel in Richelieu

This Sunday we invite you to visit the small but perfectly formed Holy Trinity Chapel in Richelieu.

You can see more here on our website

Something for Sunday... Marche de Noel at Loches

"Destination Christmas", a day of free entertainment on Sunday , December 17th, will delight young and old.

Full programme here

Something a little different for the weekend

Website

Bouges-le-Château

Castle of Bouges

15 rue du château

Friday, December 15, 2017, 5 pm > 8 pm

Saturday, December 16, 2017, 5 pm > 8 pm

Friday 22nd December 2017, 17h00 > 20h00

Saturday, December 23, 2017, 5 pm > 8 pm

Free wandering in the castle rooms with Christmas decor, by candlelight and the sound of the piano in the living room. Concerts with young soloists: Antoine Préat on December 15th and 16th and Kojiro Okada on December 22nd and 23rd.

Drinks and treats in the castle kitchen and the presence of Santa Claus will delight children!

€ 8 and free for children under 26 (Love that your still a child at 25)

Something for the weekend - Amboise Marche de Noel

Amboise Christmas market is this weekend.

Place Michel Debré and Castle Tunnel - Friday 15th until Sunday 17th.
Three days for the pleasure of the eyes and taste buds and for your Christmas shopping. 
Gourmet Market: Discover and taste the flavours of Christmas, oysters, foie gras, local wines, Christmas beer, mulled wine, German pastries and enjoy the food court. 
Art Crafts: Creations presented by artisans with wooden toys, lights, textiles, jewellery, hats, books, pottery, glassware ... 
Music will animate the market Sunday afternoon. 
Free admission. Website

Loches morning market today...

Today is market day at Loches where you will have the added benefit of seeing the town decked out for the festive period and don't forget to go back on Sunday for their 'Marche de Noel'.

Full programme here

Tuesday for towns in the Loire Valley - Sancerre

Sancerre in the department of Cher in Centre-Val de Loire is famous for its wines but if you asked anyone outwith Europe or indeed France actually where it is geographically we doubt if many could answer. Most would offer 'the Loire Valley' as their answer but that only begs the question 'where exactly is the Loire Valley'? We attempt to answer this on our homepage. Having been promoting this beautiful region for the last 10 years we find it difficult to understand its marketing strategies. We do *understand its desire to hang on to its traditions but to split its region into the old traditional names (Touraine,Berry,Sologne) to promote its tourism outside of France must surely confuse the potential visitor? 

Our page on Sancerre may help a little...but we can't promise anything! 

* Oddly enough we have fully embraced 'La Touraine' where we are based and think a solution would be to simply (in France?) change our name to 'Touraine Val de Loire'

Monday's Loire Valley chateau, Chateau d'Usse

Chateau d'Usse was apparently the inspiration for Charles Perrault's 'The Sleeping Beauty' after a visit to the château. Its turrets and towers are certainly fairytale-esque and on first view as you approach are a delight!

There is much detail both outside and in...

with the owners trying to bring it to 'life' by strategically placing mannequins in different parts of the building, the most popular being those of the sleeping beauty herself in the tower. 

More detail here

Loire Valley church on Sunday- Ferriere-Larcon

The church to be this Sunday is the church of Saint Mande and Saint Jean in Ferriere-Larcon as it is transformed to host their annual 'marche de noel'.

Winter colour in Southern Touraine

Taken just outside Le Grand-Pressigny 

You can see more Loire Valley nature photographs here