Some of today's markets in Centre Val de Loire

Market day today in...(You'll need a warm coat) Angers, Fonteuraud l’Abbaye, Saumur,  Blois, Romorantin-Lanthenay, Loches, Montbazon, Orleans and Tours

Tuesday for towns in Centre-Val de Loire - Montrichard

The market town of Montrichard in Loir-et-Cher sits on the banks of the river Cher and takes full avantage of it location with a man-made river 'beach' which proves very popular during the summer months.

The town also has some good restaurants and a fairly lively weekly market on Friday mornings. It is full of character and worth a wander around its quaint streets. 

You can read more here 

Monday's Loire Valley chateau - Chateau du Grand-Pressigny

This week we feature the Chateau du Grand-Pressigny which also contains the region's museum of prehistory.

You can read more here

Loire Valley church for Sunday - Notre-Dame de Nanteuil, Montrchard

Today we feature thhe church of Notre-Dame de Nanteuil,one of three churches in the town of Montrichard in Loir-et-Cher. The church is a mix of styles with alterations over many centuries.

The original church is of a fairly normal design with a single nave, transept and apse but a later extension on an upper level reveals a more interesting prospect.

The ornately decorated chapel has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries for Catholics coming to pray in front of the statue of the Virgin Mary. They had come here to Montrichard to take the waters of a miraculous fountain said to blessed by Saint Martin de Tours. 

You can read more about the church here

More of what spring will bring here in Centre-Val de Loire

Photo Friday - Le Pont Henri IV, Descartes

'Le Pont Henri IV' bridge over the river Creuse at Descartes.

Good article on the bridge here

Something for the weekend a main and dessert at Tours

At the 'Salon du Chocolat de Tours' you will have three days to discover chocolate in all its forms, dark chocolate or milk,  macaroons, chocolate breads and other delicacies from more than 60 exhibitors.

Official website



Website

The promise of what Spring will bring to the Loire Valley

Spring colours in Bléré, Indre-et-Loire

Tuesday for towns in Centre-Val de Loire - Richelieu

The town of Richelieu takes its name from its founder, Cardinal Richelieu the hugely egotistical character who in his time, after the king, (Louis XIII) was the most powerful person in France.

You can visit the grounds (now a park) of what used to be his extravagant palace.

You can read more here

Monday's Loire Valley chateau - Chateau de Montresor

Today we feature Chateau de Montresor which dominates the landscape of the beautiful village it lords over from on high. 

You can read more here

Loire Valley church for Sunday - Saint Christophe Bléré

More detail here

The Loire Valley in the spring - a great time to visit

Our beautiful region is a joy at any time of year but is especially delightful in springtime when the gardens of the towns and cities and the glorious chateau come alive with colour.

The stunning tulips of Chateau de Cheverny

Blossom on Rue Saint-Martin in Le Grand-Pressigny

The public gardens at Loches

The public gardens at Descartes

Open countryside in Southern Touraine

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Photo Friday - boulangerie,Saint-Senoch

Something for the weekend - Saffron Fair at Preuilly-sur-Claise

Saffron Fair

There will be thirty-five exhibitors with saffron of course being the star but it will be surrounded by various local products such as rabbit, foie gras, cheese and cold cuts. There will be an offer of free tastings.

Love for Chateau Villandry on Valentine's Day

Chateau Villandry

Wednesday markets in the Loire Valley

 

Angers, Fonteuraud l’Abbaye, Saumur,  Blois, Romorantin-Lanthenay, Loches, Montbazon, Orleans and Tours

Tuesday for towns in Centre-Val de Loire - Saint Valentin

Today I felt we should feature the small village of Saint Valentin in the department of Indre (36) with tomorrow being Saint Valentine's day. There is not a lot to the village but it comes alive around this time of year, for obvious reasons.

You can read a bit more here

Monday's Loire Valley chateau - Loches

When is a chateau not a chateau? - when it's in Loches and is referred to as the 'Logis Royal'. Maybe it is because it competes with its feudal neighbour with its keep and donjon as the castle of this citadel town. In any case it is a striking building that lords over the town from on high,

On first view on entering the grounds after making your way up through the old city gate it does look more of a house than a castle and certainly less imposing as its visible facade. You can see more on the Royal residence.chateau here

Loire Valley church for Sunday - Saint Nicolas in Saumur

Today we feature Saint Nicolas in Saumur - more detail here