Something for the weekend...a musical choice

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Wednesday is Loches day...seek out some shade

If visiting the morning market at Loches today be sure to wear a hat and seek out some shade. 

Tuesday for towns in the Loire Valley - Barrou in Southern Touraine

No apologies for featuring Barrou again...the village is preparing for its annual music festival 'Festival des Barroudeurs'. Come along and sample the convivial atmosphere and music at the village's free evening of entertainment in the unique setting on the banks of the river Creuse.

Monday's chateau - a view from a garden.

Chateau de La Guerche from a neighbour's garden

Loire Valley church on Sunday - Saint Pierre in Le Petit-Pressigny

More info here

Something for the weekend at Amboise & Cheverny

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Fete de la Musique 2019

This weekend ( 21st/22nd June) is the 'Fete de la Musique', the annual music festival here in France where musicians are asked to provide free (plus paid for concerts) live music in a variety of venues. The tradition inaugurated by the then French Minister of Culture in Paris in 1982 continues to reinvent itself with free concerts with everything from hunting horns to hip hop.

Check your local tourist office for what is on near you...or check out some of what's on in your department here

As an example of what is on the  villages of Le Petit-Pressigny & Le Grand-Pressigny in Southern Touraine have collaborated to give performances over two days.

Wednesday is Loches day - check out the Caravaggios

After a visit to the morning market in Loches it is worth popping into the small gallery exhibition, attached to St. Anthony's Church  where you will find two of four paintings purchased from Italian artist Caravaggio by Philippe de Bethunea a minister of France's King Henry IV and an enthusiastic art collector who befriended the painter in Rome. They were discovered in the loft of the church back in 1999 and spent seven years being authenticated, although controversy still exists, despite the paintings provenance.

They are on display with a collection of objects of sacred art. 

Tuesday for towns in Centre-Val de Loire

Yesterday in the town of  Descartes in Southern Touraine under a blue sky and hot sun.

Rue du Commerce

'Jardin René Boylesve'

Henri IV bridge

Monday's chateau - Chateau de La Celle-Guenand

The private Chateau de La Celle-Guenand in tha small village of the same name in Southern Touraine.

Loire Valley Church on Sunday...St. Etienne, Chinon it's all in the detail

When visiting Chinon you should take in the detail of the church of St. Etienne both outside and in.

Something for the weekend...visit Chinon

Why not head over to the monthly brocante (3rd Sunday of the month) at Chinon on Sunday.  It is set up on the banks of the river Vienne on Promenade des Docteurs Mattrais (opposite the place Jeanne d'Arc).

It adds another dimension to a visit to this interesting town.

Most of the exhibitors are professionals with a lot of quality products but you can still find some little bargains.

Check out more on the Loire Valley here:

https://www.experienceloire.com/

Modern Tours...L´Heure Tranquille'

If you want to see a little of modern Tours then hop on the tram and head for 'L´Heure Tranquille' for a relaxing shopping experience plus you will catch a glimpse of the city that would not be seen otherwise.

The awesome 14th century bridge over the river Loire at Beaugency

Wednesday is Loches day here...

If you visit the morning  market and you should, be sure to visit the Royal lodgings and Dunjon after lunch.

Tuesday for towns - Le Blanc

Le Blanc in the department of Indre, (traditional region of Berry) is a town of two halves connected by its bride over the river Creuse but for a long time this link disappeared, as in 1530, the bridge that connected the two parts was washed away by a flood and it was three centuries before another bridge was built.

Monday's Loire valley chateau - Chateau Boisbonnard

The Chateau Boisbonnard on the outskirts of Villeperdue is a private resinence .The current chateau is the result of several reworkings and additions from its 14th century origins.

The main building, from the 16th century, was restored in the 18th and 19th centuries.