Thursday 31 May 2018

Brocantes / vide greniers Saturday 2nd / Sunday 3rd June


Brocantes / vide greniers Saturday 2nd June

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


CHINON  Vide Grenier les Closeaux **

CINQ MARS LA PILE  Vide Greniers ?
      
TOURS  Vide-grenier Ehpad la Source ?

TOURS  Vide-greniers Place Velpeau ?


Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 3rd June

ABILLY  Brocante Vide Greniers Randonnée ?

AMBOISE  Bourse Jouets, à la Puériculture et aux Vêtements d'Enfants *

BALLAN MIRE  Brocante Vide-greniers **

BENAIS  Vide-greniers ?

BENAIS  Brocante Vide Grenier **

CANDES SAINT MARTIN  Vide-greniers *

CHAMBRAY LES TOURS  Vide Greniers ***

FRANCUEIL  Vide-greniers ***

LA CROIX EN TOURAINE  Fête du Poney ?

LANGEAIS  Vide Grenier *
  
MANTHELAN  Vide Grenier ?

MONNAIE  Vide Grenier du Basket de Monnaie *****

MONTBAZON  Brocante Vide-greniers ***

MONTLOUIS SUR LOIRE  Bourse Multi Sports Cyclisme Foot Rugby etc*

MONTS  Brocante Vide-greniers ?
  
TOURS  Vide-greniers  Espace Jacques Villeret rue de Saussure **

TOURS  Vide-greniers Rochepinard ?

TOURS  Vide-greniers rue des Douets ?

TOURS  Vide-greniers Quai Paul Bert ?

VEIGNE  Vide-greniers du moulin ***











Wednesday 30 May 2018

Chateau de Villandry playing second fiddle?


The gardens at Chateau de Villandry are a great draw for tourists visiting the Loire Valley and rightly so but sometimes the chateau itself is given less prominence (we have been guilty of this ourselves.) Over the years the owners have opened up more of the interior to display it as a testimony to its French heritage.


You can save yourself 4 euros by not including a visit to the chateau but it will be at your loss - if only for the photo opportunities from the tower,





looking down at the cross garden and kitchen gasden from the tower at Chateau Villandry in the Loire Valley France

Tuesday 29 May 2018

On the trail of art...


Still time to go on an art trail...discover the works of 23 visual artists, painters, designers, photographers and sculptors - from France and Belgium - selected for the quality of their artistic proposals at 10 different locations in Eure-et-Loir (28), Loir-et-Cher (41) and in Loiret (45)


Monday 28 May 2018

At the Rose Festival in Chedigny...


It was good to see the sun and crowds came out yesterday for our visit to the annual 'Rose Festival' at Chedigny. 


The village was as ever, looking resplendent and  great credit must go to the organisers of this popular event.



It is the village itself that is on display here but during the festival you do of course get many opportunities to buy and learn about roses.

Roses for sale


The atmosphere of the day is enhanced by musical performances in a variety of genres plus the local artists opening their homes and exhibition spaces.

Jazz band at Chedigny rose festival


It is difficult to show the actual village roses at their best due to the crowds but you can see them here from when we visited last year the day before the actual festival.










Sunday 27 May 2018

Loire Valley church for Sunday...Saint-Senoch


We have driven through the village Saint-Senoch many time on our way back from a visit to Loches but have always found its little church closed. This time I got lucky as when I asked a local lady who held the key she shot off to find it first to one house and then another before coming up trumps...very kind. The key holder not only opened up the church but also gave us its  interesting history.



Saturday 26 May 2018

Saturday sorted...


Why not stop in at Loches morning market on your way to the 'Rose Festival' at Chedigny.


Thursday 24 May 2018

Brocantes / vide-greniers Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th May


 
Brocantes / vide greniers Saturday 26th May

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

ROCHECORBON  Brocante Vide-greniers ***

SACHE  Fête de la Moto et Brocante ?

SAVIGNY EN VERON  Vide Grenier de l'ape **

Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 27th May

AZAY SUR CHER  Les 28èmes Puces d'Azay sur Cher ***

BEAULIEU LES LOCHES  Brocante de la Trinité ?

CHAMBON  Brocante - Vide-greniers - Fête du Four à Pain ?

CIVRAY DE TOURAINE  Vide-greniers Brocante ***

JOUE LES TOURS  10ème Vide-grenier de l'Alouette **

LA CHAPELLE BLANCHE SAINT MART  Vide-greniers  *

LIGNIERES DE TOURAINE  Vide-greniers de l'ape **
    
REIGNAC SUR INDRE  Brocante / Vide-greniers **

RICHELIEU  Vide-grenier **

SAINT AVERTIN  Vide-greniers ?

SAINT CYR SUR LOIRE  Vide Grenier **

SOUVIGNE  Vide Greniers **

TOURS  Antiquités Brocante Boulevard Béranger ?

TOURS  Vide-greniers Place Beaujardin ?

TOURS  Vide-greniers Groupe Scolaire Musset Vigny ***

TOURS BEAUJARDIN  Brocante Vide Grenier ***

VILLANDRY  Vide-greniers ?










Wednesday 23 May 2018

A great stretch of the river Loire


One of our favorite stretches of the river Loire is between Candes-Saint-Martin and Souzay-Champigny.

view down to the confluence of Vienne and Loire rivers at Candes-Saint-Martin

Starting from where the mighty Loire meets the river Vienne you have two of 'Les plus beaux villages de France' in Candes-Saint-Martin (with its great church)  and Montsoreau (with its chateau) as well as the troglodyte interests in Turquant and  Souzay-Champigny.



Tuesday 22 May 2018

Chedigny Rose festival 2018


The roses at Chedigny will be looking their best for the festival next weekend...well worth a visit.


Monday 21 May 2018

Monday's Loire Valley Chateau - Chateau du Chatelier


Today we feature Chateau du Chatelier in 'Le Chatelier' near Paulmy in Southern Touraine. It dates from 12th/13th century and still has a water filled moat surrounding it. 'Protestant Barn' within the castle is used as a great music venue throughout the summer season.



Sunday 20 May 2018

Loire Valley church for Sunday - Cravant-les-Côteaux

 church of Cravant les Coteaux exterior view

Today we feature the church at Cravant-les-Côteaux with its 14th century wall paintings.

 church of Cravant les Coteaux frescoes 3 women praying

You can read more on our website here

 church of Cravant les Coteaux frescoes

Saturday 19 May 2018

Friday 18 May 2018

A sparkling idea...


Brocantes / vide-greniers Sunday 20th May




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


ABILLY  Fête de la Confiture - Brocante -vide Grenier **


ANCHE  Vide-greniers ***


ATHEE SUR CHER  Vide -grenier **


BLERE  Vide Dressing **


CHINON  Brocante Mensuelle **

CRISSAY SUR MANSE  Foire aux Vieilleries ?

DESCARTES  Vide-grenier


LIGUEIL  Brocante de la Pentecôte **


MORAND  Vide-greniers ***


PARCAY MESLAY  Vide-greniers  ***


RICHELIEU  21e Salon D’antiquités


TOURS NORD  Vide Grenier ****


VEIGNE  2° Vide Grenier Champétre ***

Thursday 17 May 2018

A true taste of France


Come and stay at one of our village houses and let us help you make the most of your Loire Valley experience with the benefit of our local knowledge.

"Thank you so much for your wonderful suggestions for things to see - we have had a wonderful time!"

Wednesday 16 May 2018

 market in the city of Tours in the Loire Valley

Wednesday is market day in Tours you can check out the locations here

Monday 14 May 2018

Sunday 13 May 2018

Church for Sunday - Saint-Laurent Obterre



Today we feature the church of Saint-Laurent, Obterre in Indre. The church is of Romanesque origin but was modified in the late 15th, early 16th century by the addition of a Gothic choir flanked by a canted apse which, due to the dangerour condition of the building, we did not get to view... 



which was a shame after the long climb up to the church!


It was actually worth it as the exterior was worth a look.



The original bell tower of the church had been supported by the choir but it was rebuilt above the west facade around 1860.