Friday, 30 March 2018

Weekend de Pâques (Easter in the Loire Valley) 2018


This weekend (Easter) many of the major chateaux of the Loire Valley offer egg treasure hunts for children, of all ages! These include Chinon, Langeais, Rivau, Langeais and Meung-sur-Loire. Rivau with its magical setting may just get our vote as the place to be.




From their website "Loches en fête" is a festive, commercial and popular event that takes place every Easter weekend. It hosts about fifty exhibitors in many sectors of activity: it is the rendezvous of Touraine du Sud that allows companies and artisans to show their products and showcase their work. Activities are also offered for three days, as well as a carnival.
The Poultry Company of Touraine will present a hundred large breed poultry, dwarf, pigeons and rabbits.

Place de Verdun, 10 am-8 pm Free

Programme




Please note entrance fee applies





Thursday, 29 March 2018

Brocantes / vide greniers for Easter weekend Sunday & Monday



Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 1st April

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown


AZAY LE RIDEAU  Vide-greniers **

CHARGE  Brocante Vide-greniers *****

ESVRES  Brocante Vivre Avec Bazoulé **

MONTS  Vide-greniers ***

PONT DE RUAN  Brocante Vide-greniers **

SAINT ROCH  Vide-greniers **

TAVANT  Brocante Vide-greniers ****

TOURS  Le Temps d'un Disque (bourse aux Disques) *

ATHEE SUR CHER  Brocante de la Foire à l'Andouillette *

CHATEAU LA VALLIERE  Festival des Collectionneurs et Creations *

CHINON  Chinon Vintage?

Brocantes / vide greniers Tuesday 2nd April
* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown


LANGEAIS  Brocante de Pâques ****

SAINT EPAIN  Brocante du Lundi de Pâques ***







Wednesday, 28 March 2018

Angers - views from the ramparts


Looking down on the river Maine from the castle ramparts in Angers


Another view looking west towards the 'Lac de Maine'


View over the city towards the cathedral Saint Maurice

Tuesday, 27 March 2018

Tuesday for towns in Centre-Val de Loire - Chatillon-sur-Indre


The main feature of this quiet town in the department of Indre is its fortified tower built by Henry II Plantagenet, count of Anjou and King of England. It is said to be the oldest oldest tower with a cylindrical vault in France.


There is also a fine collegiate church,Saint Outrille, to explore 


The town sits on the crossroad of the routes linking Loches and Chateauroux and Saint Aignan and La Brenne so is well situated for those seeking outdoor pursuits.

Monday, 26 March 2018

Monday's Loire Valley chateau - Chateau du Lude

The ornate facade of Chateau du Lude in  Pays de la Loire

Chateau du Lude, can be found in the small town of Le Lude in the department of Sarthe within Pays de Loire. It won't be the first chateau you seek out when visiting our beautiful region but if you are a regular visitor then it is worth heading north for a look. Also if you are heading down from the ferry port at Caen it is only a short deviation (30 mins) off the A28.  You can read more here

Sunday, 25 March 2018

Loire Valley church on Sunday - St.Martin's Aubigny-sur-Nere


Today we feature the church of  St.Martin's in Aubigny-sur-Nere deep in the department of Cher (Berry). The town has very strong Scottish connections - you can read more here on this and is well worth a visit,especially in mid July when they have their 'Fetes Franco Ecossaises'. I really must do a 'towns' page for here!



Saturday, 24 March 2018

Thursday, 22 March 2018

Brocantes / vide greniers Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th March



Brocantes / vide greniers Saturday 24th March

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown



ATHEE SUR CHER  Brocante de la Foire à l'Andouillette
CHATEAU LA VALLIERE  Festival des Collectionneurs et Creations
CHINON  Chinon Vintage

Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 25th March
* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown



ATHEE SUR CHER  Brocante de la Foire à l'Andouillette
•••
CHAMBOURG SUR INDRE  Brocante
CHATEAU LA VALLIERE  Festival des Collectionneurs et Creations
CHINON  Chinon Vintage

FONDETTES  Bric à Brac des 101 Doltoniens **

LA VILLE AUX DAMES  Vide-greniers **

SAINT CYR SUR LOIRE  8ème Vide-grenier de l'Amicale Numismatique de Touraine ***

SAINT GENOUPH  Vide-greniers **

SAINT MARTIN LE BEAU  Vide-dressing (adultes, Enfants, Puériculture et Jouets) **

SAINT PIERRE DES CORPS  Brocante vide-grenier ****

TAUXIGNY  Bourse aux Plantes

TOURS  Antiquités Brocante Boulevard Béranger







Chateau du Rivau...another good visit in springtime.


  


Images courtesy of our lovely 'sisters' who have chosen to spend their holidays again with us here in the Loire Valley this spring. Staying at 'Le Bourg'  one of our holiday homes here in Centre-Val de Loire.

Wednesday, 21 March 2018

Now that spring has arrived officially here in the Loire Valley...



Now that spring has arrived officially here in the Loire Valley there are certain places you should put on your 'must visit' list, for example...the tulips at Chateau de Cheverny





Where is your favourite place in the Loire Valley in spring ?

Tuesday, 20 March 2018

Tuesday for towns in Centre-Val de Loire, Vierzon



Vierzon in the department of Cher, probably won't be on you list of places to explore when visiting our beautiful region but as it sits on the crossroads of a couple of major travel routes you may actually find yourself choosing it as a stop-over.


If you do you have to seek out the riverside garden and admire the art deco work of its monument and auditorium.


Monday, 19 March 2018

Monday's Loire Valley chateau - Chateau de Cande



Chateau de Cande is famous as the setting for the marriage of Edward, Prince of Wales to the American divorcee Wallis Simpson on June 3rd 1937 but the chateau and grounds are well worth a visit in their own right. It is a popular visit for both UK and American guests at our holiday accommodation here in the Loire Valley


Sunday, 18 March 2018

Loire Valley church on Sunday - Abbey church of Saint Genou


Today we feature the abbey church of Saint-Genou in the small village of the same name in the department of Indre, Centre - Val de Loire



Friday, 16 March 2018

Photo Friday - Chateau de Rouvray



Chateau de Rouvray just outside the village of Chambon in Southern Touraine is,externally at least, rather pleasant to the eye. What is revealed today is the combination of centuries of remodelling. Internally it has been modified to suit modern day living and most of the original features have been lost. As a private dwelling it is only available to view on patrimoine days or by appointment during the summer months

Thursday, 15 March 2018

A working drawbridge and a filled moat, a rare thing amongst our chateaux.


I remember the first time we came across Chateau du Chatelier during a exploratory drive around Southern Touraine and the delight in finding a castle with a moat and a drawbridge.


We have been back several times as we have friends who have a house that actually looks on to the chateau...how lucky are they?



Wednesday, 14 March 2018

Presidential visit...


If you are planning to head over to Loches today to visit the market be aware that there may be a bit of disruption as President Macron is making a visit to a school in the town tomorrow. 

Tuesday, 13 March 2018

Tuesday for towns in Centre-Val de Loire - Vendome



Vendome is located 35 km northwest Blois in the department of Loir et Cher. It is a picturesque town made more so by the effect of the river Loir (without the 'e') which divides it into islands connected by waterways.


Monday, 12 March 2018

Monday's Loire Valley chateau - Chinon



The chateau / fortress at Chinon extends over 500 metres along the ridge overlooking the Vienne river. It is not known what the original construction would have looked like but we know it was made of three different strongholds separated by dry moats.

looking down on the river Vienne from one of the towers of the chateau at Chinon